Affordable Housing, Lenola Project To Be Considered In Moorestown

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Council will consider three pieces of legislation related to the township’s recent decision to pursue land on the corner of Harper Road and East Gate Drive for a 75-unit affordable housing complex Monday night.

Council will meet on Monday night, Sept. 9, 7 p.m. at town hall, 111 West Second Street. A workshop meeting will commence at 7 p.m., followed by the official action meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Last week, the township announced it would pursue the Harper Site (307 Harper Drive, Block 3201, Lot 3) as a spot for a proposed affordable housing complex after it was unable to reach an agreement with the owners of the Miles Technology site.

The township has until the middle of this month to designate a spot for this proposed complex. Read more here: Moorestown Identifies 3rd Site For 75-Unit Affordable Complex

On Monday night, council will consider a resolution to purchase the site. The amount attached to the site is not listed in the resolution.

Council will also consider a second resolution, to once again alter its agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center to allow for the Harper Site to be used for an affordable housing complex. It is the third site to be considered, after the Miles Site replaced a site off Route 38 Pennrose had intended to develop for the same complex. Read more here: Moorestown Identifies Alternative Site To Pennrose Proposal

Council was also expected to vote on a proposed ordinance to re-zone the Miles Site so it could be used for the proposed complex. The public hearing and final vote remains on the agenda, but will only be considered based on the outcome of the votes on the Harper Site resolutions.

There will be a public hearing and final vote on a proposed bond ordinance to sets aside $1,500,000, including the borrowing of $500,000 in bonds or notes, for the Lenola Town Center Landscape Improvement Project.

The project costs are fully reimbursable from two grants received through the federal government and administered through the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).

The township has already received a $971,500 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) for construction costs.

The second grant is for design and engineering costs, and is still awaiting federal approval. Should the second grant be approved, the full cost of the project would be covered by the grants.

The project focuses on revitalizing a quarter mile of the Lenola Town Center Camden Avenue corridor. It is estimated to cost about $1 million.

The proposal was passed on introduction, but not without discussion. Read more here: $1.5M Bond Ordinance For Lenola Project Under Consideration

Council will consider a related resolution to award a contract in the amount of $366,774.62 to McCormick Taylor for preliminary and final design and construction engineering services for the project and transportation alternative designs assistance program.

Council will consider two proposed ordinances on introduction concerning employee salaries.

The first would amend the salaries for Moorestown Police Patrol Officers, Detectives, Corporals, Sergeants and Lieutenants. This would reflect a 1.75 increase in salaries that took effect on Jan. 1.

The second would establish the title and salary range for two part-time code enforcement officers as established in this year’s budget. These code enforcement officers will not receive benefits.

During the workshop meeting, the Moorestown Field Club will make a formal presentation on its request for a Class C, Club License to sell alcohol to club members and their guests. The club currently permits its members and guests to bring and consume alcohol on the premises.

There are also four items on the consent agenda. To view the full agenda, visit the agenda center on the township's website.