Complex would be at intersection of Quakerbridge and Lawrence Station roads
By: Lea Kahn
AvalonBay Communities Inc., the developer of the Avalon Run East apartment complex off Quakerbridge Road, is seeking preliminary and final site plan approval for 342 luxury rental units on a 68-acre tract on the corner of Quakerbridge Road and Lawrence Station Road.
The developer is seeking Planning Board approval for the second phase of the development. Phase I of the Avalon Run East apartment complex was approved in 1995 and already has been constructed.
The township Community Development Department has not reviewed the application for Avalon Run East, Phase II, which was filed May 11. The Planning Board Screening Committee is expected to review the application in July. No date has been set for the public hearing before the full Planning Board.
Several variances are being requested, including building and parking lot setbacks. The township’s Land Use Ordinance requires a minimum of 75 acres, but the lot contains 68.7 acres. It also requires a minimum buildable area of 40 acres, but only 18.4 acres of this tract is developable because of extensive wetlands.
The 342 rental apartments and townhouses include 84 one-bedroom units, 188 two-bedroom units and 70 three-bedroom units. There will be 290 market-rate apartments and 52 affordable rental units. The affordable units will be set aside for low- and moderate-income households.
The market-rate apartments will include 74 one-bedroom apartments, ranging in size from 738 square feet to 975 square feet. The rents will range from $1,085 to $1,275 per month.
There will be 157 two-bedroom units, ranging from 883 square feet to 1,320 square feet. They will rent for $1,235 to $1,625 per month.
The 59 three-bedroom units will range in size from 1,250 square feet to 1,433 square feet. They will rent from $1,535 to $1,725 per month.
Of the 52 affordable units, there will be 10 one-bedroom units, containing 698 square feet; 31 two-bedroom units of 883 square feet; and 11 three-bedroom units of 1,289 square feet.
The monthly rents will range from $442 to $705 for the one-bedroom affordable housing units, and from $525 to $825 for the two-bedroom units. The three-bedroom units will rent for $602 to $967.
The plans call for building 288 of the 342 units adjacent to the Avalon Run East, Phase I development. Access will be provided by an extension of Avalon Way. The remaining 54 units will be built on a portion of the tract off Lawrence Station Road.
The rental apartments and townhouses will be contained in 17 buildings. There will be parking for 768 cars in a combination of parking lots, detached garages and attached garages.
Amenities will include a swimming pool, tennis court, play areas, bocci ball court and a six-foot-wide fitness path encircling the property, according to the plans on file at the Community Development Department.
The Community Impact Statement estimates that Avalon Run East, Phase II will be assessed at $27.9 million for real estate tax purposes. This will generate $139,880 in municipal taxes, $394,470 in school district taxes and $181,850 in county taxes, based on the current tax rate.