29-Unit Senior Affordable Housing Site Plan Heard By Bernards Township Planning Board

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A proposal to build 29 age-restricted independent living units in Bernards Township was heard by the Planning Board on Tuesday.

Luke Pontier of the law firm Dave Pitney is representing the applicant, Ridge Oak Management, Inc., which is seeking preliminary and final major site plan approval with design waiver relief.

The project would include parking, storm water management facilities, walking paths, landscaping and related site improvements.

Pontier said the property’s existing driveway connection to Manchester Drive would be eliminated, and the existing house on the site would be demolished.

Access to the development is proposed through a driveway connection to the adjacent property at 150 Manchester Drive.

Pontier told the board the parking layout at 150 Manchester Drive would be slightly modified, but there would be no overall loss of parking spaces there.

In all other respects, the existing improvements on that adjacent property would remain.

The project is included in the township’s fourth round housing element and fair share plan, which was approved in May 2025 by the Township Committee.

The township adopted an ordinance on April 15, 2025, creating the SH4 senior housing zone for the property.

Pontier also reviewed Ridge Oak's prior affordable senior housing work in the township.

"This applicant and its related entities have an excellent track record in developing quality affordable senior housing and helping Bernard's Township fulfill its affordable housing obligation," said Pontier.

He said Phase 1 initially constructed 247 units in 2005, Ridge Oak 2 later added 39 units, and Ridge Oak 3 opened in 2013 with 20 more senior affordable housing units tied to the township’s third round obligation.

"And now, as part of this application, we are hoping to assist the township meet part of its fourth round obligation," said Pontier.

During the meeting, project engineer Rob Michello and architect Mary Johannson both testified.

Due to a shortage on time, the application was carried to the May 5 Bernards Township Planning Board meeting.

Still left to testify are traffic engineer Gary Dean, applicant representative Bonnie Kelly, and environmental consultant John Peele.

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