Bridgewater Senior Housing Plan Revised, Home Donated To History Group

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A senior citizen housing plan off Chimney Rock Road in Bridgewater has been amended and is also donating a home to the Friends of Bridgewater History.

On Tuesday, the Bridgewater Zoning Board of Adjustment approved the amended application for The Cottages at Martinsville, a development at 802 Chimney Rock Road, changing a prior age restriction from 62 and older to 55 and older.

The application was initially approved by the board in September 2023 with an age restriction of 62 and older.

However, Attorney Bob Smith, representing Cottages at Martinsville LLC, said the plan had "turned into a disaster."

Smith said the development had struggled to attract buyers.

"Honestly speaking, the prior approval has been fulfilled in the sense that we've started construction on roads and infrastructure. We've tried to sell the units. No sales. No sales after having marketed," said Smith.

He said the applicant believed market conditions had changed and that more age-restricted housing had been built in and around Bridgewater.

During the hearing, the proposal shifted from removing the age restriction entirely to lowering it to 55 and over.

A board professional said 55 and over is consistent with federal law on age restrictions and said the prior 62-and-over condition was unusual.

The discussion also addressed occupancy by children, with board members referencing the original condition as age 19.

The revised plan presented that night also included a proposal involving a historic house on the property.

Smith said the developer planned to donate a house built in 1788 to the Friends of Bridgewater History for use as a home base for meetings and office work.

"There’s going to be no charge. It’s a donation," Smith said.

He also said the developer would make substantial improvements to the house.

The board clarified that the historical house would not be used as a residence because that would affect the density count.

The applicant also agreed to a deed restriction so the conveyed property would remain in that type of use unless a future change was approved.

In deliberations, several board members said the 55-and-over standard made more sense for the project’s market.

The board then unanimously voted to approve the application as presented, including the age restriction change and the property donation arrangement.

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