https://www.newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/opinion/editorial/editorial-change-on-the-horizon-inthe-somerset-hills/article ed9cfbbf-36c0-58a2-a32a-8bfeabeb60ac.html
EDITORIAL: Change on the horizon in the Somerset Hills
December 6, 2021
Hundreds of new homes and apartments are expected to become available in the Somerset Hills towns in the months and years ahead, primarily as the result of state mandates requiring housing that's affordable to lower-income families.
Some of these new developments are also expected to include restaurants, shops, park areas and other public gathering places. The details of the projects have been thoroughly reviewed by local planning board members, volunteers from the communities who've spent countless hours at long meetings over many months to help refine the proposals.
Working with town engineers and other experts, in addition to professionals hired by the applicants, they've often called for revisions to improve the plans and make them a better fit for their communities.
In some cases, the local planners have been criticized by residents who oppose the pending changes to their towns. But their hands have largely been tied by legal requirements that prevent them from outright rejecting the development applications, even though they may prefer to do just that.
While few are happy with the affordable housing mandates facing New Jersey towns, it seems the best course of action is to work cooperatively with the developers to meet the requirements while minimizing the impact on the towns.
Bedminster officials in particular have demonstrated that ability and helped design plans for a 1 60-unit apartment project that appears poised to become an attractive and beneficial addition to the Pluckemin Village area.
The application for land off Route 202-206 was approved by the township Land Use Board last Thursday. Despite already having hundreds of affordable homes, mostly at The Hills development, Bedminster was still required to provide additional affordable rentals. This project will help satisfy that mandate, and also provide retail space and other community gathering areas that may help revitalize that section of town. Traffic improvements are also included.
It seems an example of making the best of what could be a bad situation.
In Bernards Township, a new apartment complex is nearing completion at the site of a former supermarket at the Dewy Meadow mall off King George Road. That project, called The Enclave at Dewy Meadows, will be home to 1 98 apartments, including 30 income-restricted rentals. The number of market rentals seems high in comparison to the affordable ones, but is unfortunately a standard practice that gives developers a financial incentive to build the less expensive units.
The project includes a swimming pool, clubhouse and playground for the residents. While no public gathering areas or retail space is included, having new residents here should help keep existing businesses at Dewy Meadow viable.
We also like the fact that the affordable units are scattered among the other apartments in the project instead of being isolated in a separate building, which is often the case. It's a more inclusionary concept that hopefully brings residents of various income levels together.
Plans for a 1 34-unit "inclusionary' development on Route 202 in Far Hills are also nearing approval but have faced considerable public opposition.
Bernardsville officials have received state approval for several smaller affordable housing projects in the borough, and are looking to include affordable units in the proposed Quimby Village redevelopment project, which is envisioned to include new retail buildings and public spaces.
The changes that will be coming to the quiet Somerset Hills towns may not be to everyone's liking, but if done properly, will hopefully fit well into the established communities and even provide some long-term benefits.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Pluckemin Village project gains approval despite some criticism
Opposition faces 134-home proposal in Far Hills
Decision draws closer for 134-home proposal in Far Hills
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Township's Re-Organization Meeting
Monday, January 3rd, 2022 at 7 pm
Please take notice that due to a rise in COVID cases, the Township's Re-Organization Meeting scheduled at Fiddler's Elbow County Club on January 3rd has been moved to Bedminster Town Hall and will be available via Zoom. The annual Betty Merck Dinner following the meeting has been cancelled. To join the meeting please click on the link below:
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83480291796?pwd=dEtpUE9MZXdkRmRzTi9Xeks5dzNxdz09
Meeting ID: 834 8029 1796
Passcode: 881686
Dial: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
r*************************************************************************************
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!