Moorestown Moves Forward With Affordable Housing Legislation

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Council approved five pieces of legislation related to affordable housing on Monday night at town hall. Two of those proposals were approved on second reading.

The first proposal calls for a 100 percent senior affordable housing complex on Centerton Road to help the township satisfy its affordable housing obligation of 337 new units by 2025.

The maximum density proposed allows for no more units than provided for in the township's agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center. The developer intends to put market rate senior housing on the site, and wanted to ensure that the whole complex would be set aside for seniors, according to officials. Read more here: Council Introduces Senior Housing Proposal; Diocese Proposes Site

The other creates an Affordable Multiple Family Residences 5 (AMF-5) district on Centerton Road. Its permitted uses include a continuing care retirement community, senior congregate care community, age-restricted multiple dwellings, municipal use and open space.

At least 20 percent of the homes will be affordable to very low to moderate income housing, and 15 percent is set aside for rental units. There will be 130 total units. Read more here: Council Introduces Affordable Proposal; Will Modify 2 Others

The other three proposals were introduced, with public hearings and final votes scheduled for June 10.

One would establish zoning on the Nagle Tract on the corner of Hartford and Centerton roads. There would be 150 total units, with 45 set aside for affordable housing. Read more here: Change Made In Affordable Housing Plans For Nagle Tract

Another would establish zoning on the MRD site on Route 38. There would be 175 total units, with 35 set aside for affordable housing.

The final proposal would establish general parameters for various affordable housing program participation that track state law, affordable housing regulations and other portions of township code, at the recommendation of Moorestown's Affordable Housing Consultant.

All proposals were unanimously approved with a 5-0 vote by council. Some residents asked that when referring to areas of land under consideration for development in the township, the township use maps to show where development will take place. Mayor Lisa Petriello also suggested using street addresses when discussing development.

Other said the township was being unfair in lumping all affordable units in one section of town. Council members reminded residents that the projects and locations were chosen by the intervenors, and the township had no choice. If they don’t go along with the intervenors’ requests, the township could be facing lawsuits.

Another resident said the township should be mixing affordable housing in with market rate homes so no one can tell which is which. Councilman Mike Locatell said that is the case in most projects, with the exception being the proposed Pennrose site off Route 38, which may not even be moving forward. Read more here: Moorestown Identifies Alternative Site To Pennrose Proposal