By Mark Rosman
Staff Writer
MANALAPAN – An ordinance that would permit residential and commercial uses on a 130-acre property at the corner of Route 33 and Millhurst Road is expected to be introduced by the Manalapan Township Committee tonight, Feb. 22.
If the committee eventually adopts the ordinance, residential and commercial uses will be permitted uses in Manalapan’s Village Commercial (VC) zone at Route 33 and Millhurst Road. At present, only commercial uses are permitted in the VC zone.
In describing why the ordinance is being proposed, the document states that “since the most recent amendment to the township master plan, the New Jersey Supreme Court … provided a framework for achieving constitutional compliance with regard to creating a realistic opportunity for producing a fair share of affordable housing …
The ordinance goes on to state that “the Township Committee recognizes the importance of providing a realistic opportunity to produce its fair share (affordable housing) obligation … and to allow for the opportunity of housing choices within the township.”
Township Attorney Roger McLaughlin has previously said that in conjunction with the possible adoption of the mixed use overlay zone ordinance, developer Vito Cardinale is expected to propose the construction of market rate age-restricted (55 and over) single-family homes on small lots; 50 to 70 units of affordable housing for individuals with special needs; and commercial development along the property’s Route 33 and Millhurst Road frontage.
More specifically, the ordinance states that the maximum number of single-family homes permitted in the age-restricted community would be 280 homes; that the special needs affordable residential multifamily units (rentals) will be affordable to low and moderate income households; and that a hotel with a minimum of 100 rooms will be a permitted use in the VC zone.
Other permitted uses in the VC zone would be medical research facilities, urgent care facilities, outpatient surgery centers, fitness/health clubs, retail stores, personal services, supermarkets, indoor athletic, exercise or recreation facilities, pharmacies, funeral homes, banks, restaurants, professional, business and medical offices, gas stations with convenience stores, municipal facilities, a post office, a library, child care centers and adult daycare facilities, according to the ordinance.
