With discussion and input lasting for more than two hours, Haddonfield’s planning board eventually reached concord on a pair of recommendations to the borough’s board of commissioners regarding a zoning overlay ordinance that will affect a pending affordable-housing project.
The nine member body agreed unanimously that the current 20-unit proposal on Snowden Avenue, subject of the overlay, is in line with the borough’s master plan, But Board Chairman John LaProdico asked commissioners to reconsider its building-height proposal, as well as the density of the units, before final passage.
According to language in the ordinance, the purpose of the overlay is to allow for medium and high density, multifamily residential development, and to provide opportunities for affordable housing in accordance with the borough’s Housing Element and the 2019 agreement struck with Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC).
The amendment to the existing zoning code aims to ensure that new residential development in the overlay district, limited to Snowden, will have 100 percent of any planned units designated as affordable housing.
Originally in line for 28 new units, the project came under fire by homeowners concerned with the density of the housing as well as vehicular concerns on a lot wedged behind borough hall. The borough decided to reduce the imprint by removing eight units, and has begun purchasing properties around town as replacements.
The legislation first appeared for consideration at the board of commissioners’ public meeting on Jan. 19 and was passed on first reading. But due to continued public outcry, the triumvirate tabled a vote during its Feb. 9 public session, choosing to instead revisit the issue during its March 9 meeting, after the ordinance was reviewed by the planning board.
At the heart of public criticism at the March 2 meeting were three factors: the difference between the 1.5 acres for Snowden originally approved by the planning board that had been whittled down to less than one acre in the intervening time; the proposed 45 foot roofline for the three story edifice; and the planned 1.5 parking spaces per unit that residents contend will cause traffic issues.
Potter Street resident Jill Poretta, referencing a 2019 planning board meeting, assailed the fact that the borough would not use the 1.5 acres allotted in the recent settlement agreement with Fair Share Housing, but utilize a smaller portion. The site plan, as it stands, calls for a minimum imprint of 40,000 square feet, 0.9 percent of an acre.
“This is warehousing humans. This is trying to put 10 pounds of sugar in a five pound bag. You can sugarcoat it all you want,” Porretta said.
In response, Borough Administrator Sharon McCullough recalled that Judge Nan Famular, during discussions in the fall of 2019 to ascertain whether or not the borough was in compliance with FSHC, expressed her belief that Snowden’s original density was high. However, after shifting of eight units, McCullough believes the site won’t max out the space intended.
In response to a board question about reducing the project footprint by further limiting the number of units on site, McCullough stated the borough would not meet its housing obligation and would find itself back in court with FSHC.
“This overlay transitions us from a more residential appearance to a more urban area, where you’re going to have some more density,” said Commissioner Jeffrey Kasko. “And what we’re trying to do is to not put 40 or 45 feet (of building height) right up against the people in their backyard.”
