Problems Plague Affordable Housing in Moorestown

Square Peg, Round Hole – Absence of Due Diligence & Rush to Judgement Plagues Affordable Housing in Moorestown, New Jersey

Feeling extremely fortunate to have lived the last 23 years in the town Money Magazine voted “Best Place to Live in America” in 2005, my family as well as another 42 Moorestown (and Mount Laurel) households are now feeling extremely frustrated by plans for an out-of-state developer, Pennrose LLC, to build a 4-story housing complex within 200 feet of our secluded residential wooded properties.

After months of closed door meetings between our elected Moorestown Town Council representatives and Pennrose, it was recently announced that the proposed Affordable Housing complex would be built on the property known as Block 4801, Lot 12 (aka 160 West Route 38), that sits within approximately 100 yards of the intersection at Route 38 and Church Street

During the month of March 2018, the aforementioned Moorestown and Mount Laurel households were served summons by lawyers presenting Pennrose suing the residents to remove the restrictive covenant that appears on the property deeds of residents impacted by this decision. Moorestown Town Council stated they had no knowledge Moorestown residents would be sued as part of their agreement between the Township and Pennrose. How is that possible? Our Town Council dealt directly with Pennrose in securing this site for consideration while representing Moorestown Township.

This was just the beginning of decisions that were made that make no sense to me, my neighbors and the larger Moorestown population.

On May 3, 2018, the Moorestown Planning Board had on its Agenda to review and make a recommendation to Town Council on an ordinance to revise the Zoning Map for this Lot to create a new Zoning designation - AMF-1 (Affordable Multi-Family Residence 1) district. After sworn testimony by the expert planners hired by the Moorestown Town Council Board members and Public comments from residents, the Planning Board found this proposed site was inconsistent with the Moorestown’s current Master Plan.

Despite this recommendation, on May 7, 2018 Town Council went ahead and voted on and passed the Second Reading of this Ordinance (No. 4-2018) even though the Planning Board determined that it was inconsistent with Moorestown’s current Master Plan. However, Town Council was notified that it is now under litigation for procedural deficiencies in the adoption process that would invalidate the Ordinance.

Town Council attempted to correct their actions by calling a Special Meeting on Monday June 18th at 12:00 Noon.

The proposed 10 acre tract of land consists of approximately 7 acres of protected New Jersey Wetlands that houses run-off water which eventually feeds into Strawbridge Lake. Even though the project is moving ahead to remain in compliance with the state mandated timelines, residents and the Moorestown Planning Board are still awaiting the final Department of Environment Protection (DEP) reports on water and soil suitability. In fact, when questioned at the last Planning Board meeting on June 28, 2018, Pennrose experts testified that they had no knowledge of the rusted barrels (and its contents) currently residing on the property and the impact they have on surrounding environment.

Local residents have raised multiple questions concerning fire and public safety issues; building site design does not support motorized access for large fire trucks and EMS vehicles responding to emergency calls, lack of a school bus stop alongside Route 38 for resident children to safely board school buses, there are little or no common play areas proposed for children to play safely, apartments have not been designed to safely accommodate people with disabilities, there is only one access road to and from the site.

This complex will sit approximately 100 yards from what the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) considers the 2nd worst intersection in all of New Jersey as was noted in their Presentation on June 6th regarding their proposed construction of Route 38 and Church St. Traffic congestion occurs on Route 38 due to the lack of capacity which causes problems with queuing on Westbound Route 38, Southbound South Church Street, and on Fellowship Road. NJDOT’s Congestion Management System ranks this location as the 2nd highest priority statewide. There is also a significant crash history at this location, in part because of the intersection’s geometric deficiencies.

In fact, there are a multitude of conditions which require remediation by Pennrose and approval by the Moorestown Planning Board, Fire and Police departments before the site can be approved. However, the project moves forward with apparent disregard for these important public safety and lifestyle accommodations. All other concerns voiced by residents have been deemed inconsequential and unimportant.

By highlighting these examples, I feel Moorestown Town Council and the Moorestown Planning Board have not practiced due diligence in dealing fairly and openly with the residents of Moorestown. They have made ill-conceived decisions in a rush to judgement to satisfy the pending state mandated timelines that must be met for the sake of money, greed and ignorance.

Let me be clear – I am not against Affordable Housing in Moorestown. I oppose this site selection based on the plan of a 4 story building with 75 units being squeezed onto a wetlands site, the concern for safety for its residents as stated above, as well as anyone driving on Route 38 as it is located near the 2nd worst intersection in all of New Jersey as stated by the NJDOT.

I feel this solution does not benefit existing residents, nor does it positively impact the transitioned residents set to the enjoy the rich traditions that have defined Moorestown, New Jersey since 1682.

It’s beyond the average person’s comprehension of “fair and reasonable” that our Town Council feels this is the best solution for Moorestown Township. Therefore, I am of the opinion that the special interests of Town Council, Pennrose, affiliated parties and professional testifying experts have been placed ahead of the residents who currently live here as well as those who will be moving here.

Finally, and most importantly, the residents that will eventually occupy this complex, will have little or no hope of ever assimilating into the fabric and beauty that is Moorestown. This is an important point to note, since both Pennrose and Moorestown Township Council promised during numerous sworn testimonies - this would NOT happen. Deputy Mayor stated, “We don’t want to build a 100% affordable complex at Nagel (Tract) because it will stigmatize the children.” So why is it happening here?

That’s a shame, because my family and the other families adversely impacted by this decision have greatly benefitted from being Moorestown residents for many decades.

Thomas and Elizabeth Moore who settled here in 1722 are officially “rolling over in their graves.”