By PETER ELACQUA
Staff Writer
MARLBORO – The Township Council has approved a memorandum of agreement that is intended to advance the development of two municipality sponsored 100 percent affordable housing projects.
On June 22, the council entered into an agreement with Community Investment Strategies, Lawrenceville, for the development, financing, planning and operation of affordable housing in Marlboro.
The resolution was approved with a 3-0 vote. Council President Carol Mazzola, Vice President Randi Marter and Councilman Jeff Cantor voted to approve the agreement. Councilmen Scott Metzger and Michael Scalea were absent.
According to the memorandum, the agreement “is to foster the development of affordable housing to satisfy the township’s (affordable housing) obligation and establish the ability to transfer property for the purpose of and the development of the projects.”
Affordable housing is defined as housing that is sold or rented at below market rates to individuals and families whose income meets guidelines established by the state.
Marlboro officials have selected two properties at which affordable housing only – and no market rate units – is expected to be constructed: the Bluh-Batelli/Wildflower site on Tennent Road, with frontage on Church Lane, and the Marlboro Motor Lodge site at 137 Route 9 South.
According to the council, the Bluh-Batelli site is expected to include 250 rental apartments that will be made available to people of all ages. The first phase of the project is expected to consist of 150 apartments and the second phase is expected to consist of 100 apartments.
The Marlboro Motor Lodge site is expected to accommodate 92 age-restricted apartments for seniors and may include some commercial use, according to the council. The site currently contains a single-family home, a small office building, a diner and a motel.
The township is in negotiations with the owner of the Marlboro Motor Lodge site to acquire the property.
In related business, the council passed a resolution authorizing a professional services agreement between the township and CME Associates to provide environmental engineering services in connection with the Marlboro Motor Lodge site.
CME Associates will conduct a preliminary assessment of the site in order to evaluate the presence of potentially contaminated areas of concern on the parcel. The firm’s services are expected to cost Marlboro $6,500.