SOUTH BRUNSWICK — Despite residential concerns, town officials had no choice but to approve an application for the addition of 73 single-family homes on Route 1 south and Greenview Road.
Kaplan Cos. received the go-ahead for construction of the homes at the Sept. 7 Planning Board meeting, almost 10 years after the township initially denied their request.
The real estate developer returned this month with a court-granted preliminary approval for the 73 lots, forcing the hand of township Planning Board to grant final application approval. However, board members did so after tying the developer to certain conditions, according to Mayor Frank Gambatese, who sits on the Planning Board.
Gambatese said three main issues with the application were resolved through negotiations during the meeting. Firstly, the board required sidewalks to be placed on both sides of the streets throughout the proposed development. In addition, the developer included a 60-by- 75-foot recreational space in its plans. While the space is too small for most playground equipment, Gambatese said it will remain vacant so residents having some breathing room.
Lastly, the entrance into the development requires sharp, 90-degree turns, so the road will be redesigned and warning signs will suggest that residents travel the road at no faster than 15 miles per hour. A lower speed limit will not be enforced because only the state Department of Transportation can make that change, Gambatese said.
Gambatese said that given the situation, township officials did the best they could to meet residential standards. Six people live along the 1,100- foot road going into the development, and, he said, the developer was willing to work out some kind of accommodation with them.
“Are we satisfied with 73 new homes? No.” Gambatese said. “They have the potential to bring 125 to 150 children into the school system, which is an expense. But there is not much we could do about it. We’re satisfied that we made it so that the quality of life of our residents was not ruined by the homes.”
Township planner Bryan Bidlack said Greenview Road will be extended during construction, which will begin as the developer’s schedule permits.
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