Middletown Township Committee members have voted unanimously to designate Toll NJ XII, L.P., as the redeveloper of the residential component of a 100-acre property on Route 35.
During a workshop meeting on Feb. 4, and without discussion, Mayor Tony Perry, Deputy Mayor Tony Fiore, Committeeman Kevin Settembrino, Committeeman Rick Hibell and Committeewoman Patricia Snell approved Toll NJ XII, L.P., to construct townhouses at 853 Route 35.
The parcel is currently home to Circus Wines, Beer & Spirits, and is the former location of a Foodtown supermarket.
The redevelopment initiative is an effort led by National Realty and Development Corp. The redevelopment plan is designed to accommodate up to 400,000 square feet of commercial space and 350 townhouses at the site.
Township Administrator Tony Mercantante said that of the 350 townhouses, 70 would be set aside as affordable housing for individuals whose income meets certain guidelines. The 70 affordable housing units are expected to be available for rent and the 280 market rate townhouses are expected to be available for purchase.
“These (affordable housing) units are called for in the township’s certified housing plan and will help fulfill our (legal) obligation” to provide opportunities for the development of affordable housing, Mercantante said.
Municipal officials have designated the former Foodtown property as an area in need of redevelopment and have zoned the tract to accommodate residential units.
The next step in the redevelopment process will be for a developer to present an application to the Planning Board seeking site plan approval. An application must be submitted for the residential component and for the commercial space, Mercantante said.
In other business, Janet E. Dellett, director of the Department of Recreation, proposed that full-day childcare services be offered at the Tonya Keller Community Center, 50 Bray Ave. Half-day childcare would remain an option for parents, she said.
“In order to stay competitive and meet some of the demand, our program has only been a half-day program. Unfortunately, people need more than just a half-day option for childcare,” Dellet said.
Officials said an ordinance outlining full-day childcare services could be introduced at the Township Committee meeting on Feb. 19.