By Nick Norlen, Staff Writer
Despite the concern stated by residents during the Princeton Township Committee’s controversial amendment of the age-restriction on the Bunn Drive senior housing overlay zone — that the change would precipitate similar requests for the township’s other senior zone — no requests have yet been made, according to the township attorney.
However, the age-restricted project currently approved for the township’s Mt. Lucas Road overlay zone — the 49-unit, 62-and-over Princeton Senior Townhomes — is still on track, according to Township Attorney Ed Schmierer, who said that he doesn’t expect its principals to request the age change.
Princeton Senior Townhomes attorney Mark Solomon did not return calls seeking comment on the status of the development or whether the developer has considered requesting an age change for that tract, which is currently zoned for 62-and-over housing. The age restriction on the Bunn Drive overlay zone was lowered to 55-and-over from 62-and-over late last month.
However, Mr. Schmierer said he spoke to Mr. Solomon about a month ago.
”As far as I know, they’re moving ahead now. I think they’re just checking all their conditions of approval,” he said, referring to those stipulated by the Planning Board.
Mr. Schmierer said he doesn’t expect an age change request from the developer because of the relatively small scope of the project — 49 units.
But if the developer did want the age restriction lowered to 55-and-over, like the Bunn Drive zone, “they’d have to go back to the board for consideration,” he said. “With all their approvals in hand, I think they would be happy to just go ahead.”
However, uncertainty about the future of the project has surfaced in the past, most notably during developer J. Robert Hillier’s initial request for the Bunn Drive age change in August, just three months after Princeton Senior Townhomes was approved.
At the time, Mr. Schmierer noted that the developer had not been in contact with the township since the approval was granted.
However, Mr. Schmierer announced later that the project was under way, which he reaffirmed this week.
”I do know that they’re moving ahead with it and it’s a real project and they’re planning to move forward to get their permits,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hillier said he plans to begin the formal process on his proposed 158-unit age-restricted development on the Princeton Ridge within three months.
