The potential 72-unit complex on Chews Landing Road would contain 15 homes designated for low-incomes residents.
At its latest meeting, Gloucester Township Council passed an ordinance on first reading adopting an inclusionary affordable apartment overlay that could potentially be built at 1495 Chews Landing Road.
Some 72 units are projected with 11 reserved for non-age restricted rental low- and moderate-income households.
Since Gloucester Township has entered into an agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center, the ordinance is part of the township’s constitutional obligation through the township’s Affordable Housing Element.
The Fair Share Housing Center will serve as an intervenor, requiring the township to reserve at least 15 percent of the units to low- and moderate-income use, according to Ken Lechner, the township’s director of community development.
Some 13 percent of the affordable housing units must be reserved for very low income. All low-income housing will not be concentrated in one building, but rather spread out throughout the apartment complex.
This is the first time in about a decade the township made affordable housing requirements, which council attributes to the organization’s frequently changing rules.
Council filed a declaratory action in 2015 when the state Supreme Court ended the Council of Affordable Housing jurisdiction of municipal housing plans. This gave the township an immediate builder’s remedy protection, preventing a developer from suing Gloucester Township for not including affordable housing in a projected development.
“We’ve been working through the courts since then, coming up with our plan,” township solicitor David Carlamere said.
Carlamere says the “plaintiff” in this case is Fair Share Housing, which Carlamere says is ready, at this point, to accept the township’s proposal.
“They’ve been pretty agressive with the townships that have filed and are working diligently with us,” Carlamere said.
If the proposal is accepted at a state hearing in March, the township’s plan will be protected through 2025, as long as it continues to meet affordable housing constitutional obligations, which are outlined in the ordinance.
In other news:
• The public raised concerns about Ann A. Mullen School’s consideration to build a new roof, which could cost up to $4.8 million, according to the board of education’s most recent agenda.
Gloucester Township Republican Municipal Committee Chairman Ray Polidoro discussed the price of removing the township’s solar panels off of the school’s roof before proceeding to build the new structure. On top of the nearly $5 million project, the township will potentially have to pay the solar company to remove the panels. Polidoro questioned if the company could charge the removal as maintenance.
“When the discussion was being had on the $20 million plan to put solar panels all over the schools, many of the questions posed to the township (were) — how old are the roofs, and if they are not brand new, why are you putting solar panels on them?” Polidoro said.
Council says township roofs were inspected and verified before solar panels were installed.
• The public raised concerns about the crosswalk on Evesham Road outside of St. Teresa’s Regional School off of the Black Horse Pike. Despite “school zone” signs plainly marked for motorists traveling southwest and northeast on Evesham, motorists have been speeding through the intersection as students are entering and leaving school, according to a crossing guard who is posted on that intersection. Although the crosswalk has flashing yellow lights, this does not deter speeding drivers. Chief W. Harry Earle says there’s an ongoing investigation regarding the case.
• Council honored fifth graders from Erial Elementary School for their latest service project. Members of the “Kids Reach Out Too” service club collected clothes and other goods for senior citizens of Gloucester Township throughout the fall and winter.
