West Orange Township_Fourth Round HEFSP_Final Draft

WHEREAS, the Board also considered the input of the Site Plan Advisory Review Board which held a virtual meeting with the Applicant and his professionals on April 20, 2021. NOW THEREFORE, the Board makes the following findings of fact, based upon the evidence presented at its public hearing, at which a record was made, Zz; The Applicant is requesting approvals to construct a 17-unit multifamily residential building on a vacant lot previously owned by the Township. The proposed development will consist solely of low- and moderate-income units, which will address the affordable housing obligation for a recently approved multifamily development at 18 Central Avenue. The subject property is in the R-M zone district. The proposal is consistent with the permitted uses and most bulk and design regulations but requires variances from certain requirements. 2. The application requires preliminary and final major site plan approval and variance approval. 3: The application requires the following variances: Bulk Standard Required Proposed 25-7.1 Max. building 2.5 stories/35 feet 3 stories/38 feet height 25-7.1 Min. rear yard 30 ft. 13.9 ft. 25-7.1 Max. building 40% 45.3% coverage 25-7.1 Max. lot coverage 55% 57.9% 25-12.2a.1 Min. parking 5. 0 spaces 4. The subject property consists of one tax lot with an area of 14,787.39 square feet (0.34 acres). It is located on the west side of Tompkins Street. The site is currently vacant and is owned by the Township. =7 There are a mix of land uses in the surrounding area. These include single-, two- and multifamily residential uses along Tompkins and Mitchell Streets, vacant lots and commercial uses. The somewhat recently constructed Harvard Printing multifamily residential development is located approximately 250 feet to the north on Mitchell Street and the Planning Board recently approved a mixed- use development just to the west of Harvard Printing at 18 Central Avenue. The developer of the Harvard Printing and the 18 Central projects is a related entity to the applicant for the subject property. 6. New Jersey Transit’s Highland Avenue railroad station is three blocks to the east along Mitchell Street. Bus stops are located on Scotland Road and Central Avenue approximately five blocks to the northeast. Central Avenue is an Essex County road (Route 508). There are sidewalks on both sides of Tompkins Street.