BY CHRIS GAETANO
Staff Writer
SOUTH BRUNSWICK – The proposed rezoning of a 21-acre tract for senior housing met stiff resistance from several township residents who brought with them to Tuesday’s Township Council meeting a bevy of concerns ranging from traffic to drainage.
These reservations eventually led to the measure being tabled until further discussions on the matter could take place.
The land, owned by the company Brunswick Square, is currently zoned for single-family houses. If the ordinance had passed, it would have allowed whoever owned the land to potentially build housing developments for senior citizens under the township’s Age-Restricted Residential Communities (ARRC) ordinance that it passed last year. Township officials have said that the ARRC zone was created in order to provide low-cost housing for seniors looking to move into smaller homes. This is contrasted with the existing Planned Adult Residential Communities zone (PARC), which allows for larger developments on bigger lots.
During the meeting, Mayor Frank Gambatese said that the land’s proximity to stores, bus stops and other amenities typically enjoyed by older residents made it an ideal location for an ARRC zone.
Residents challenging the zoning change, however, were worried about the density the zone could bring, along with its consequent effects. The land’s proximity to Route 27, which resident say is already riddled with traffic problems, would be further saddled with congestion should housing developments be built there.
“We’re getting traffic from both sides [of Route 27] now. This will really exacerbate the situation. I have to plan my day around not making a left out Williams Road. … Backups, I’m sure, are going to be horrendous,” said Herbert Koenig.
Water was another reason residents were against the rezoning. Several mentioned that the parcel in question is notorious for flooding, which runs off into their properties as well.
“You may as well put a sheet of Saran Wrap there,” resident Gary Koehler said.
One resident, Doug Dennis, said that when nearby Beekman Manor was built years ago, everyone was assured that the flooding would be under control.
“Well, we became a marsh for two years,” said Dennis.
Township officials said that these concerns would be addressed should any development go before the Planning Board – which any builder would need to do in order to get the proper permits. Gambatese said that all the council was doing was rezoning the property, which would potentially allow a certain type of development to go up.
“But rezoning is the first step,” said Koenig.
After some discussion, the council decided that in light of opposition to the rezoning, it would be best to table the ordinance until meetings between the township’s planners and residents could take place and the proposal discussed further.
“While they may disagree with our ultimate decision, they’ll at least have an opportunity to discuss this further,” Councilman Charles Carley said.