The Richdale Avenue proposal aims to address affordable housing needs while also offering a design less visually imposing than previous plans. The structure is intended to be a combination of three-story and one-story sections, with attention given to site access, parking, and stormwater management to ensure compliance with relevant standards. Despite these assurances, residents raised several issues during the public comment section. Laura Cotch and Fern Walen, among others, voiced worries about the building’s height and potential encroachment on wetlands. There were questions regarding whether the New Jersey Environmental Protection Agency had been consulted to delineate wetlands and establish appropriate buffers.

Concerns about the development extended beyond environmental issues. Residents like Frank Bisco and M. George debated the project’s viability and its fit with the community’s character. M. George highlighted the importance of maintaining the town’s aesthetic continuity and “hometown” feel, while Dean Atkinson questioned the adequacy of one parking space per unit, especially for visitors and moving trucks. There were also apprehensions about the one-bedroom limitation for senior units, with Debbie Ellerat advocating for two-bedroom options to better accommodate caregivers.

In addition to the Richdale Avenue proposal, attention was given to the ongoing Park Avenue project, which includes an obligation to construct 60 senior affordable units. The council clarified that no certificate of occupancy would be issued for the Park Avenue project until these units are completed. This requirement is part of the township’s larger fourth-round affordable housing plan, which involves building another 60 affordable units over the next decade. The developer is expected to cover significant costs, with land acquisition estimated at $2 million and total construction costs around $10 million. The township’s financial analyst supports this arrangement, citing its lack of conditions for additional market units.

The council also addressed other agenda items, including the resignation of Peter Dengress from the planning board and township spec application committee. Additionally, ordinances 21-2025 and 22-2025 were adopted, and a new ordinance, 23-2025, was introduced to amend the township code regarding land use. This new ordinance aims to create a new R-25N zoning district, with a public hearing scheduled for September 11, 2025.

During the public comment session, several residents revisited concerns about the Richdale Avenue development. Questions arose about a letter of interpretation from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, with one speaker criticizing the lack of site visits and transparency regarding environmental assessments. Another resident, Terry Beard, inquired about a $1.7 million bond note and sought updates on air conditioning issues within municipal buildings. The council responded by explaining that the bond would fund a splash pad and renovations, while ongoing collaboration with Jersey Central Power and Light aims to replace the outdated air conditioning system by the following summer.