Pennytown site slated for affordable housing

Proposed bond measure would make acquisition of the site possible

By Ruth Luse, Managing Editor
   Pennytown Shopping Village, a Hopewell Township landmark for more than 40 years, could become one of several locations eyed for affordable housing projects, if a bond ordinance introduced Tuesday is OK’d on Oct. 27.
   At its regular meeting Tuesday, the Hopewell Township Committee introduced the bond ordinance and adopted two resolutions — all aimed at meeting some of the township’s affordable housing obligation.
   The bond measure involves the acquisition of the Pennytown property. The proposal appropriates $7 million and authorizes the issuance of $6.65 million in bonds or notes.
   The remaining $350,000 would come from the township’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, not taxpayer dollars. The trust fund money comes from developers — from fees imposed on all new building (residential and commercial) in the township.
   This ordinance is expected to come up for a public hearing and adoption at the Oct. 27 meeting of the Township Committee.
   The Pennytown tract, a 25-acre parcel with frontage on Marshalls Corner-Woodsville Road and Routes 654 and 31, has an on-site wastewater treatment plant (14,000 gallons per day) that could service up to 60 affordable units.
   According to Mayor Vanessa Sandom, the restaurant, Hi Rib & Co. Inc., which is located on the premises, has another year and a half on its lease, and could remain there for at least that long.
   ”We need to remove the (other) buildings because of fire code violations,” the mayor said. They include the Stage Depot motel complex, which is out of business.
   Many have fond memories of Pennytown in its heyday. Michael Briehler, of Pennington, remembers when Pennytown began back in late 1964. Mr. Briehler recalled Wednesday that he helped his father, the late George Briehler — the driving force behind the development of the complex — with a roof-shingle project at age 5.
   Many parents will recall taking their children to see the farm animals that once lived in a special area of the complex, off Route 31 north of Hi Rib & Co. restaurant. On the site of the current restaurant was the original eatery, Stage Depot.
   Mr. Briehler said his family acquired Hiohela, once a popular bowling alley — the only one in Hopewell Valley — and tavern at the junction of Routes 654 and 31, from the late Dick Mantel. Today that location is the site of a gas station and small shopping center.
   The future of the now-empty office complex that fronts on Routes 654, near Marshalls Corner, is uncertain, Mayor Sandom said.
   The Briehlers sold the complex in 1985. It has changed hands several times, but today the owner is Bruce Meier, of Hopewell Township, who could not be reached for comment.
   THE RESOLUTIONS:
   — One authorizes conveyance of property located at 1619 Harbourton-Rocktown Road to Community Options, Inc. for affordable housing purposes.
   Community Options, Inc., of Princeton, was incorporated in 1989 to “develop residential and employment supports for people with severe disabilities, utilizing technology and training.”
   The tract is a 1-acre parcel with an existing four-bedroom dwelling, which will be demolished. The township owns the property, which it purchased using funds from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Community Options has plans to build a four-bedroom group home for individuals with learning disabilities. The property is located in a residential zoning district and the use is permitted. A new septic system has been provided by the previous owner.
   — The other approves use of houses at 449 Scotch Road by HomeFront for affordable housing. HomeFront, based in Trenton, is, according to its Web site, “the largest provider of permanent, low-income, affordable housing in Mercer County.” Today, it has 60 units in the county.
   ACCORDING to a draft housing plan, which will be reviewed tonight (Thursday) by the Planning Board (see related story), the township also is proposing the use of the following properties for municipally sponsored affordable programs:
   — A 72-acre parcel located on Route 31 and the Denow Road extension. The township purchased this property for approximately $5.2 million, and is selling a 16-acre tract to Mercer County as open space for approximately $1.25 million. The tract requires a contract from the Ewing Lawrence Sewerage Authority (ELSA) for sewer service and a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection for access to Reed Road from Denow Road.
   — A 0.75-acre parcel, which includes the former Marshalls Corner School, on Pennington-Hopewell Road (Route 654). The township intends to construct a modular unit on the property or expand the existing building, which it currently owns. The property is located in a residential zoning district where the use is permitted. A new septic system would be provided if needed.
   — A 1.1-acre parcel on Minnietown Lane and Hopewell-Wertsville Road. The township intends to provide two modular units on the property, which the township owns. It was purchased using funds from the trust account. The property is located in a residential zoning district where the use is permitted. The township has prepared an analysis to provide new septic systems to support the proposed use.
   — A 0.5-acre parcel on Wrick Avenue, which the township obtained through a tax foreclosure. The township has entered a contract to construct a modular home on this property. The property is located in a residential zoning district and has a well and septic system available.
   — A 22-acre parcel located on Denow Road east of Route 31. The township is proposing to lease the land to Project Freedom for the development of approximately 60 to 80 units for the developmentally disabled. The tract currently has a sewage treatment allocation from ELSA. Project Freedom is a nonprofit organization that builds and operates housing designed to enable individuals with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs, to live independently.