With Projects' Completions, Development Slowdown Looms

Warren's rapid population growth of the last dozen years may be ending, for a while.

After a lull following the 2007 recession, residential contruction in Warren has perked up but when the work is done on the current developments in a few months, there aren't many looming projects to begin afterwards.

"We're just not going to see that massive number (of new developments) that we did early in the decade," Township Administrator Mark Krane said.

In fact, the township doesn't have any outstanding projects approved and waiting for development. Pulte Homes' 26-unit Bellewood Acres, off Hillcrest Road just north of Interstate 78, is the last large development waiting completion—and according to the development's website, only two properties remain unsold. There are several smaller projects under construction, such as the Jared Estates on Mt. Horeb Road, and the Overlook Glen Estates on Gabriella Lane.

Krane said K. Hovnanian's Four Seasons at the Promenade development is also nearly completely built out.

Such developments can create headaches for school officials wrestling with burgeoning classroom populations. But enrollments at most of Warren's schools have been flat or declining—except at Woodfern School, which is closest to many of the newer neighborhoods built in recent years. Officials don't expect redistricting will be needed to accomodate the additional students at Woodfern.

But only the Hillcrest project will potentially have an impact on school enrollments—despite building 206 units at the Four Seasons project, the age-restricted properties means little or no impact on township school enrollments.

Source: Township construction office

Source: NJ School Report Cards