Officials Defend New Fourth Floor

At a meeting Monday night Mayor Daniel Aschenbach explained why he supported proposed legislation that will allow developer Garden Homes to add 18 more apartment units to the – five mixed residential and commercial buildings to be constructed on 3.5 acres of South Avenue by Chestnut Street across from the train station.

He said that the project would generate $80,000 in property taxes, create affordable housing and provide $756,000 in unrestricted funds for the township in impact fees, according to professional at the township level.

“I am an advocate of getting rid of the old broken down buildings and stopping pollution from going into the river,” said Aschenbach. “It is not an attractive area right now.”

Township Attorney Daniel McCarthy explained that his office had been contacted by the redeveloper who asked if the township would be interested in the addition of 18 units.

McCarthy noted that the additional units would be consistent with the master plan, a zoning map that sets out rules and regulations for building in the township. He added that the development will not include another parking garage.

Commissioners were questioned by Bob Puhak, a member of the Downtown District Management Corporation, who wanted to know how the impact fee of $756,000 – a payment that will be made to the township by the developer for the units – had been determined. 

In reply, McCarthy said that the fee was weighted by taking into consideration the developer’s costs and return on investment. The 18 new units will be piled on top of one of the five buildings planned to be constructed, situated on an entirely new floor.