Moorestown Identifies 3rd Site For 75-Unit Affordable Complex

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown has identified an alternative site to the Miles Technology Site for a proposed affordable housing complex. It is the third possible site since the township reached an agreement with Fair Share Housing to settle its affordable housing obligation.

The township is now advancing with the purchase of a site at the corner of Harper Road and East Gate Drive, the township announced this week. Use of that site for the 75 proposed units will save the taxpayers $1 million, according to the township.

“The Harper Site has more public transportation options immediately adjacent to it and is closer to employers and amenities which will benefit future residents,” the township said in this week’s announcement.

The Harper Site (307 Harper Drive, Block 3201, Lot 3) was identified after township officials said they were unable to come to a satisfactory agreement with the owner of the Miles Site. The township must have control of a suitable property to satisfy the needs of the proposed site by the middle of September.

Moorestown Council is expected to take steps to secure the Harper Site at its meeting on Monday night, Sept. 9, officials said. The public will have a chance to weigh in with thoughts on both sites at that meeting.

This is the third site that has been identified as a possible location for the proposed affordable housing complex. The Miles Site was identified as an alternative to a site off Route 38 that Pennrose intended to develop during litigation earlier this year. Read more here: Moorestown Identifies Alternative Site To Pennrose Proposal

Pennrose had filed a lawsuit to have a restrictive covenant invalidated so it can begin work on what was to be a 75-unit affordable housing project, but after Moorestown identified the alternative site, Judge Ronald Bookbinder ruled Pennrose couldn't move forward with its proposed site.

Moorestown Council approved proposed legislation on introduction to re-zone the Miles Site in July, but tabled the proposal at its last public meeting. Monday night’s meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at town hall, 111 West Second Street.