Board Hears Plan for Disabled Housing

The Board of Adjustment continued hearing testimony for Oster Apartments’ planned hotel and housing for the developmentally disabled at their meeting Thursday night.

The proposal had originally included a three-story apartment building of affordable housing instead of the housing for the developmentally disabled, but was changed to the new two-story plan after, according to engineer William Page, some residents from the surrounding area, including Maple Avenue and Farview Avenue where the site would be accessed from, expressed concern about the size of the building and the amount of activity associated with its residents.

In addition to being shorter than the original plan, the new building has a smaller “footprint” and requires fewer variances for setbacks from neighboring properties.

“It’s definitely going to look more like a residential home,” Page said. “Overall I think it’s really a much better plan.”

However, some residents at the meeting were still concerned. According to attorney Robert Inglima, who was hired by one of the neighbors, the plan requires several variances that the applicants did not ask for, dealing with buffers, planting and three parking spaces.

Architect James Virgona also gave testimony about the changes to the plan, which he said was improved because of the smaller size of the buildings, elimination of some parking, addition of green space, and the service to developmentally disabled individuals who would live in the building’s 10 apartments.

The housing would be built and operated by a separate developer if the plan is approved.

Board members expressed concern that the hotel could be built and the rest of the lot could remain vacant if no developer was found. The board may require the applicant to find a developer for the housing as a condition of approval.

The hearing will continue at the Board of Adjustment’s meeting on June 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Borough Hall.