Plan for 112 affordable units now before board
Applicant proposes 14 buildings with no age restrictions
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON- Windsor Crescent, which is an application for a 14-building affordable housing development, has come before the Planning Board seeking approval.

Planning Board engineer Douglas Klee said the application seeks preliminary and final site plan approval for the construction of 112 rental units in 14 buildings. The application also proposes the construction of a 1,750-square-foot clubhouse. The buildings would be on Solar Avenue off County Line Road. There will be no age restrictions on the apartments.

The affordable housing project would include improvements being made to Solar Avenue and to Cpl. Luigi Marciante Jr. Memorial Drive.

Klee said there are no variances involved in the application, but noted there are three design waivers that are suggested. He said he recently received an environmental impact statement, which he is in the process of reviewing.

Klee said the applicant has to address plans for snow removal, trash pickup, roads, drainage basin ownership, access and maintenance, among other issues.

"The applicant has provided a traffic impact study," the engineer said. "Regarding traffic, there is normally a 30-foot pavement width on all public roads, although the access to the site on Solar Avenue, as well as Corporal Luigi Marciante Jr. Memorial Drive would have a 24-foot pavement width. So we would like to hear some testimony about the need for full width pavement as well as sidewalks for both sides of Solar Avenue and Corporal Marciante Drive."

He said testimony is also needed regarding the driveway to West County Line Road if Ocean County approves of that connection.

Anna R. Wainright, who is the board's planner, noted that Windsor Crescent will be a 100 percent affordable housing development. That means the units will be available at below-market rates to individuals who have an income that meets regional guidelines established by the state Council on Affordable Housing.

Jackson's affordable housing planner John D. Maczuga said the township has an affordable housing obligation of 1,323 units for the period of 1987 through 1999.

"The township has been working under the protection of the court in conjunction with the court master to fulfill that obligation since 1993," Maczuga said. "The township has made considerable progress toward achieving that goal. In January the Planning Board adopted a housing plan element which ultimately achieves that goal, and a major portion of that is satisfied by the project (Windsor Crescent) that is here for your consideration."

Windsor Crescent is a municipally sponsored project that will be developed and managed by Community Investment Services (CIS). It was noted that

Jackson will receive 222 affordable

housing credits

for the site when bonus

credits are applied to

the development.

Attorney Louis Felicetta,

representing CIS,

noted the development

site is 20 acres. He said the applicant would own, construct, operate and maintain the development. A total of 266 parking spaces will be provided for the 112 units.

"We respect the 150-foot wetlands buffer as well as the 300-foot buffer required for the Metedeconk River," Felicetta said. "There is a lot of open space, trees and a lot of green landscaping on the site."

Planning Board Chairman Kenneth Bressi noted that a tree-save plan has not been provided by the applicant. He also noted that there is a limited environmental impact statement and a limited traffic study.

Barbara Schoor, vice president and project director for CIS, said the organization owns and operates 850 units in New Jersey. She said 300 units are expected to be built over the next year. Schoor said CIS has previously worked in Jackson, Freehold Township, Toms River and Lacy.

"We are very close to the communities that we work in and the ones that we build," Schoor said. "There is a homeowners association. Everything is under our review."

She said CIS would provide employees to manage the development and to live onsite.

Board member Blanche Krubner directed the applicant back to the environmental impact statement, saying, "How do you justify a limited environmental impact statement? I find it almost offensive. I want a full environmental impact statement."

"I think we have a show-stopper here," Bressi said, again noting what he said were deficiencies in the application.

The Windsor Crescent application was carried to the board's April 7 meeting for further testimony.

Board member Joseph Riccardi has recused himself from hearing the Windsor Crescent application based on his membership and position in the Central Jersey Italian American Club, which is adjacent to the area where the affordable housing development is proposed.