Harts Lane site rezoned to allow senior housing
BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK - Vacant land at the corner of Harts and Tices lanes could become home to several hundred senior citizens in the future.

The Township Council voted 3-0 to change the zoning on 41 acres after the property owner argued he was unable to develop the land under its former officeindustrial zoning regulations. Council President Nancy Pinkin voted in favor of the change at the Aug. 13 meeting along with Donald Klemp and Edward Luster. Council members David Stahl and Catherine Diem recused themselves from the vote.

The property, owned by M. Alfieri Co., of Edison, can now be developed with nearly 400 age-restricted housing units. The previous zoning allowed warehouses, factories, truck terminals and offices. Alfieri argued the topography of the property, which is hilly and wooded, was not conducive to modern warehouses.

In 2006, after Alfieri first asked for the zone change so he could build the development, known as Hidden Oaks Woods, the Planning Board reviewed the concept and recommended the zone change to the council, which denied the request. Council members said at the time that the density of the proposal was too great.

Pinkin said the age-restricted housing is a reasonable use of the property, and that there is a need for it in East Brunswick.

"A lot of our seniors are moving to Monroe and you'd like to keep them in town, but they need options on where to go," she said.

Pinkin noted that she would rather see that type of development and the resulting tax revenue for the township, than to see large warehouses built there.

"In South Brunswick, the area went from beautiful to huge warehouses and it's caused a lot of traffic and congestion," she said.

She said she is hopeful the eventual builder, in working with the Planning Board, will bring an aesthetically pleasing development.

Mayor William Neary has expressed his support of the zone change, saying the senior housing will be a desirable tax ratable. Alfieri has estimated the community will bring the township $2 million a year in tax revenue.

Planning Board Attorney Lawrence Sachs has told the council that the land in question does not fit in with the rest of the zone and that it has no open space value. He said a senior community could also include some affordable housing units.

A staunch opponent of the zone change from the beginning has been former Republican Councilman Anthony Riccobono.

"This was wrong in 2006 and it's wrong now," he said, wondering why the all-Democrat council changed its direction on the issue.

Riccobono said he fears that a judge will consider the council's move to be "spot zoning" and rule that contiguous properties can be developed the same way. He said there is also a concern that a court would allow the builder to discard the age restrictions and build regular residential housing.

At present, another developer is seeking approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment to build 90 age-restricted housing units on 7.5 acres at Ryders and Guernsey lanes. Residents in that area have been vocal in their opposition to that proposal, which is awaiting its fifth hearing before the board.