Residents set to battle plan for 90 senior units Multifamily buildings proposed at corner of Ryders, Guernsey lanes BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer STEVEN M. BARON Ed and Anna Rella, of Tall Oaks Drive in East Brunswick, give a sign to Edward Samson, of Beacon Hill Road, last week as part of the residents' campaign against an application to build 90 age-restricted housing units at Ryders and Guernsey lanes. Residents are mounting a vocal, and visible, campaign against a proposal to build 90 age-restricted housing units on Ryders Lane in East Brunswick. Dozens of homeowners in the vicinity of Ryders Lane, particularly between Dunhams Corner and Cranbury roads, have posted signs urging the township to deny a builder's request to build the apartments in multifamily buildings on the corner of Ryders and Guernsey lanes. The site comprises 7.5 acres. The proposal, from Arbor Ventures LLC, is slated to be heard at the May 17 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting. Arbor Ventures is seeking a use variance, as well as major site plan approval and bulk variances in order to build the development. The area is part of the township's R-3 residential zone, which does not permit multifamily dwellings. "The land is zoned R-3, why are we changing it?" asked Nora McShane, a resident of Surrey Lane, which connects to Tall Oaks Drive near Guernsey Lane. According to documents on file in the township's planning office, Arbor Ventures is proposing three buildings, each with 27 units. In addition, there would be a community center with a clubhouse and another nine units, making for a total of 90 residences. The township zoning ordinance allows one unit per 15,000 square feet, or three units per acre. With 90 units on 7.5 acres, the proposal calls for 12 units per acre. A bulk variance is needed due to the proposed height of the buildings. Whereas the township allows a maximum of 35-foot-tall structures, Arbor Ventures is proposing buildings about 38 feet in height. Another variance is needed because the township has a maximum fence height of 6 feet; the application proposes an 8-foot-high fence. Residents have a number of issues with the plan, including the effect the 90 units will have on traffic, safety and the character of the neighborhood. Paul Manowitz, of Guernsey Lane, said the current zoning would allow only 15 single-family homes on the site in question. He does not understand why anyone would allow 90 apartment units there instead. "That's a huge number of people for such a small area," Manowitz said. He said the vast majority of residents in the area are opposed to the rezoning, including those he's spoken with who do not live adjacent to the proposed development. The tract is largely vacant, though it does have an old building that would be torn down if the application is approved. The builder's documents state that there is a contractor's garage, storage space, miscellaneous structures and parking on the site. "My house faces the property," Manowitz said. "I look out now and see an open field." The community center building, in addition to having nine residential units, would include multi-function rooms, men's and women's locker rooms, a weight room, swimming pool, soaking pool, and hot tub, according to a township staff report. A tennis court and gazebo are also included, as are wet pond and storm water infiltration basin for drainage purposes, and roadway improvements. Parking for 186 cars is proposed, with some spots located on surface lots and others in a garage underneath the proposed buildings, according to the report. The new housing would have a right-turn-only exit onto Ryders Lane, and an access and exit point on Guernsey Lane. "It's going to be a mess," said Ed Rella, a resident of Tall Oaks Drive who has been distributing flyers and signs on the issue. Traffic is already bad in the area, he noted, and he feels this would only create further disruptions and congestion on the roads. McShane said the apartment buildings would spoil the "texture" of the neighborhood. "The top floors would be looking into someone's bedroom window," she said. "I've never seen people respond the way they have to this," she added. "They feel it is an infringement." The May 17 meeting will be held at 8 p.m. in the council chambers at Jean Walling Civic Center.