MILLSTONE – A residential development in Millstone Township that will provide affordable housing for individuals age 62 and over has been approved by the Planning Board.
On Nov. 13, board members voted to grant a variance and preliminary and final site plan approval for the construction of Allen House II at 471 Stagecoach Road. Millstone Township officials proposed the development and the application was presented by attorney Duane Davison, whose firm represents the township.
The construction of Allen House II will help Millstone meet its state mandated obligation to provide opportunities for the development of affordable housing in the community. The township representatives who attended the public hearing emphasized that providing affordable housing is required in the municipality.
Affordable housing is defined as housing that is sold or rented at below market rates to individuals and families whose income meets certain guidelines. Projects that include affordable housing are permitted in all of the township’s zones, according to the Millstone representatives.
Allen House II will consist of two one-story buildings. There will be 10 one-bedroom apartments and the units will be age-restricted for individuals age 62 and over. Five apartments will be designated for low-income tenants and five apartments will be designated for moderate-income tenants. The occupancy of each apartment is limited to two people.
Township Engineer Matt Shafai testified that the two buildings would be constructed on a 2.5-acre lot. Existing structures on the property – a house and a barn – will be demolished. Shafai said the existing house is not suitable for affordable housing.
“We have visited the property with the Historic Commission and we are all in agreement that (the existing house) has to be taken down,” he said.
One new building will contain three apartments and a mechanical room. The second new building will contain seven apartments and a laundry room. There will be 18 parking spaces at Allen House II.
Variance relief was sought because the project’s setback is 40 feet and the minimum setback requirement at this location is 75 feet, according to the application. The board granted the variance.
The lot where Allen House II will be constructed was purchased by Millstone Township officials with a $150,000 bond ordinance in 2016. The new buildings will be constructed near Allen House, 475 Stagecoach Road, which has 10 affordable apartments for seniors.
The residences are near the Millstone Community Center in the Clarksburg section of the municipality.
Architect Tim McCorry, representing the township, described Allen House II as a mirror image of the first Allen House in design, with each apartment having its own entrance.
He said the primary differences between the projects are that Allen House II would not have a community room, and would have a larger laundry room and mechanical room than Allen House.
Before board members approved the application, Chairman Mitchell Newman asked municipal officials to consider installing a path that would connect Allen House and Allen House II.
Shafai said the township intends to install a walkway after construction on Allen House II is completed.
The application was approved by all board members present on the dais. Deputy Mayor Nancy Grbelja and Township Committeeman Al Ferro, who serve on the Planning Board, recused themselves from the hearing.
In August, the Township Committee authorized the conveyance of the proposed lot for Allen House II to the Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA), Neptune.
The AHA is a nonprofit corporation that works with municipalities to assist with affordable housing compliance. AHA has previously assisted Millstone Township with other affordable housing developments, including the first Allen House.