WOOLWICH TWP. – At the Aug. 4 Woolwich Township Committee meeting, a change in zoning was approved by a 3-2 vote, on a property located between Route 322, Kings Highway, and Garwin Road. This would allow a 72 unit 100 percent affordable housing development to be constructed there.
The ordinance was approved by Mayor Natalie Matthias, Deputy Mayor Michael Nocentino, and Committeewoman Jackie Williams. Voting against the amendment were Committeeman Craig Frederick and Committeewoman Cindy Minhas.
Only the part originally zoned R-2 on the Block 16, Lot 5 property will be changed to AH-11 affordable housing zoning. The part bordering Route 322 will remain zoned commercial.
The housing development itself would be located at the southern end of the property, near the existing homes.
Frederick said that he voted no because he thought there were flaws in the state’s numbers for required affordable housing units in the township. He also had concerns about the wetlands and safety on Route 322.
He said, because Route 322 is a state highway, the township has no control over installing a traffic light there. Frederick said he has written letters to the state asking for traffic control there and urged residents to do the same.
This ordinance did not approve the housing development itself. This ordinance just approved the change in zoning to allow an affordable house unit to be constructed there. The plans for the actual development are being handled at the township Joint Land Use Board.
Matthias explained the proposed 100 percent affordable housing project in that location would take care of the township affordable housing requirement for the next 10 years. Each municipality is required by state law to have a certain percentage of affordable housing.
The proposed affordable housing development is designated for moderate income, low income, and very low income levels. In Gloucester County, moderate income limit for one person is $64,232, low income is $40,145, and the very low income limit is $24,087.
A second ordinance was approved that night, 3-2, for an application for a PILOT program for the housing development. Frederick and Minhas again voted against the ordinance.
This means that the housing development will not pay property taxes but will make direct payments to the township. This is a necessary piece of the affordable housing requirements.
In lieu of the taxes, the developer, PG Woolwich Urban Renewal LLC, would have to pay for their own municipal services, such as trash, and water and sewer which the developer would have to hook in to.
Over 100 residents attended the meeting to voice their disapproval for the change in the zoning, citing a variety of reasons including safety concerns for the intersection of Garwin Road and Route 322, concerns about the wetlands, as well as having two gas lines under the property.
Residents urged the committee to keep the safety of its residents in mind when adopting this. “If you vote for that site, you should be ashamed of yourself,” said one angry resident.
Residents were also concerned that the housing development would add more students to the school systems which they said is already overburdened and overcrowded. Through the approved PILOT program, no school taxes will be paid, but Matthias said that the township can use some of the PILOT money for schools.
Plans for this development would have access to Kings Highway and Garwin Road. Attending residents, most living on Garwin Road, spoke of the many accidents that have occurred at Garwin Road and Route 322 intersection when crossing or making turns onto the roadways.
The property is located across from Kingsway Regional Schools. Residents said that traffic is backed up when school lets out and young inexperienced drivers often make errors, causing accidents at that intersection. They were also concerned that children from the development would cross busy Route 322 to get to school.
Residents felt that adding additional cars from the 72 unit development, along with housing developments already being constructed on Kings Highway and Asbury Station Road, would make it a bigger safety issue.
Angry residents at times shouted, applauded, cursed, and even made angry remarks at a representative of the developer. Residents did not question the need for the affordable housing, but argued that this was not the best location.
They questioned why this location was chosen over other sites in the township designated for affordable housing, such as behind ShopRite on Center Square Road, and behind the Dunkin’ Donuts and the CVS on Route 322.
Matthias explained that the other locations were designated for 20 percent affordable housing projects. It was explained that if these sites were used exclusively, more houses would need to be built to fulfill the township’s affordable housing required numbers.
Members of the Caltabiano family who reside on Garwin Road, brought poster board sized maps as well as a video to show the danger of the intersection. Peggy Caltabiano said that this project would make her feel like a hostage in her own home and said that she respectively requested that the committee take the time to consider the residents.
Former Woolwich Township Mayor Jordan Schlump asked why the property couldn’t be used instead for recreational purposes so there could be a park on this side of the township.
“Shoehorning” was a term used by many of the residents.
Residents said that this is not a walkable distance to Swedesboro and there wouldn’t be connecting sidewalks to WaWa. Individual developers are required to put in their own sidewalks.
One resident stated that they felt the township was “bending over backwards” for the developer and not the residents. Matthias explained that the township is required by law to have affordable housing units built. If developers did not take on these projects, the township itself would have to do it, and the taxpayers would have to cover the expense.
With the township itself taking actions to change the zoning, it eliminates developers from suing the township. The township was previously involved in such a lawsuit for over 10 years with one developer, costing the township taxpayers. This approval keeps control in the township’s hands.
By Karen E. Viereck, Editor/Publisher
One Response
I moved down here 8 years ago, With the main selling point that there was alot of farms and open spaces. Now, It’s getting filled with crap projects, And warehouses everywhere. Guess I’ll start looking for another place to live…..