The proposal, brought forth by Voxhall Road Associates LLC, seeks to utilize a vacant site that has struggled to attract businesses. The multifamily residence is designed to include three stories of apartments over a ground-floor garage. The applicant’s representative highlighted the project’s benefits over other potential uses, noting that it would generate less parking, traffic, and noise. The development has garnered support from the owner of the nearby Milburn Mall, who has expressed that the project would be welcome for its ability to increase foot traffic and support local businesses.

The board’s meeting addressed the technical aspects of the proposed project in depth, discussing building design, parking, and traffic considerations. The proponents presented a plans, which includes six affordable housing units, electric vehicle charging spaces, and a design that accounts for the site’s irregular shape and topography. The project also plans to comply with current and future stormwater management regulations, addressing concerns about runoff and flooding.

Concerns revolved around the number of units, elevator access, garbage pickup, mail delivery, and guest parking. The potential effect on neighboring businesses, particularly in relation to flooding and school bus access, was also questioned.

Addressing these concerns, the architect of the project outlined the optimization of the site, including amenities such as trash rooms, chutes, a mail room, and a package room. The building’s design incorporates state-of-the-art features aimed at balancing aesthetics and functionality, with attention to light spill, noise reduction, and the inclusion of a small generator for security access and emergency lighting.

During the meeting, a key discussion point was the traffic impact study presented by the traffic engineer, which evaluated existing and proposed conditions to develop a safe and efficient traffic flow plan. The study involved traffic counts, trip generation rates, and assessments of traffic circulation and parking. The analysis compared the proposed development’s traffic volumes and trip generation rates with those of previous site approvals, concluding that the density variance for the additional units would have a minimal impact on traffic.

Nevertheless, the public comment portion saw residents expressing doubts about the traffic study’s findings, particularly regarding the impact of school buses and left turn times into and out of the site. Residents raised concerns about the increase in traffic volume and the speed of traffic in the area, as well as the relevance of former approvals in assessing the project’s specific impact.

Further, the professional planner’s presentation on the proposed development’s compliance with zoning requirements highlighted the project’s alignment with the township’s vision for future growth. The planner asserted that the project would improve the neighborhood by eliminating a vacant parcel and supporting the nearby shopping center. Despite concerns raised by the public regarding the density and impact on the community, some board members and professionals advocated for the development’s benefits.