BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP: Committee hears plan for Woolston

Waterfront proposal includes 36 housing units

By Amber Cox, Staff Writer
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Committee members heard the latest proposal from Alliance Homes LLC regarding the Woolston site redevelopment, which is part of the Waterfront Redevelopment site.
   Cecilia Bernschmidt told the committee Monday night the property for the site is about 15 acres and includes both residential and retail components. Ms. Bernschmidt explained there would be 38 single family homes on 13 acres. Mayor Michael Dauber explained that the plan for the area has gone through several versions.
   ”These are being projected as starter homes,” he said. “It’s something different that we thought would fit in.”
   The Waterfront Development is a $400 million project that will include residential and commercial components. It is the township’s only waterfront area and is located off of Burlington-Bordentown Road. The Woolston site is in the easterly part of the waterfront development area.
   The Waterfront Development Project was granted final approval in 2009 and construction should begin later this year in September or October.
   According to Dave Woolston, the site has already gone through remediation and they are waiting for the state Department of Environmental Protection to come inspect the site. The land is part of the Waterfront Redevelopment Area but is not part of the Transit Village. Starter homes are being recommended for the site to allow a new population to move into the township. This allows families to have their own yards and home without renting a property.
   John Kirkenir said the starter homes are good for the housing market right now and are aimed towards younger couples.
   Committee members voiced concern about the homes being too small, as well as the lots. Committeeman Bruce Hill said he would rather see single-family homes than row homes but he has a problem with the number of homes proposed for the site.
   Committeewoman Anita DiMattia said she likes the idea for the area and thinks it’s important to allow younger couples to have the option of owning a home. The committee agreed to cut the unit number from 38 to 36, widen the streets and have the company go before the Planning Board.