All three redevelopment plans are connected with the township’s settlement agreement with Fair Share Housing Center from 2016.
Three residential redevelopment projects are one step closer to being adopted after Medford Township Council approved them on first reading at last Tuesday’s meeting.
Plans for the Hartford Square, Stokes Square and Arc Wheeler redevelopment areas were approved on first reading. The planning board on July 26 confirmed the redevelopment plans were consistent with the master plan and sent them to council for approval.
All three plans being considered for approval are connected with the township’s settlement agreement with Fair Share Housing Center. Late in 2016, the township and Fair Share reached an agreement where Medford would be able to satisfy its affordable housing obligation with 744 additional market homes and 298 additional affordable housing units.
“These redevelopment plans are agreements we struck to be in compliance with COAH round three,” Councilman Chris Buoni said at last week’s meeting.
The Hartford Square redevelopment area is located near the intersection of Hartford Road and Route 70. The development will take place on open space between the CVS store and a wooded area along Hartford Road. The redevelopment plan calls for a 70-unit, 100 percent affordable housing development. The rental units will be available for seniors, veterans and disabled individuals.
The Arc Wheeler plan would add 210 units of market-rate housing and 90 units of affordable housing to a property located along Medford-Evesboro Road near the border with Evesham Township. The property consists of open space and is located near an Evesham Township municipal yard.
The Stokes Square redevelopment area is located along Himmelein Road near the intersection with Stokes Road. The redevelopment plan allows for the construction of 120 independent senior living apartment units. This redevelopment plan does not include any affordable units, but calls for the developer to contribute to the township’s affordable housing trust fund to subsidize the other affordable housing developments. At the July 26 planning board meeting, township planner Michelle Taylor said $900,000 would be contributed to the trust fund and go toward the construction of the Arc Wheeler affordable housing units.
There was no public comment about any of the plans at the July 26 planning board meeting or last week’s council meeting. The second reading and public hearing for the three redevelopment plans will take place at council’s next meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 15.
In other news:
• Council passed a resolution asking the state legislature to extend the 2 percent cap on police and fire arbitration contract awards. The state first enacted a temporary 2 percent cap on police and fire arbitration contract awards increases in 2010. If the legislature does not extend the cap, it will expire at the end of 2017.
Buoni said council felt it was important to support the continuation of the police and fire arbitration cap as it could have a negative effect on municipal service if it expires, but the property tax cap of 2 percent remains in effect.
“This is about maintaining the fiscal integrity of the state of New Jersey,” Buoni said.
• Medford Township residents will soon receive their tax bill in the mail. Township manager Kathy Burger said Burlington County has struck its final tax rate and tax bills were being printed early last week. Once the tax bills are mailed, the township will set a due date for the payment. Residents can view and pay their tax bill online at https://wipp.edmundsassoc.com/Wipp/?wippid=0320.
