Warren Township Planning Board Approves Development on Former Wagner Farm

18 Jan Warren Township Planning Board Approves Development on Former Wagner Farm

As reported by TAPintoWarren, on November 22, 2021, the Warren Township Planning Board approved the so-called “Cawley Crossing”, a special needs housing development on a 10 acre portion of the former Wagner Farm. The vote was 6 to 2.

The approval was given despite many objections raised by Warren Township residents.

Many of the concerns about this development were included in comments by Bill Gilbert, a long time Warren resident.

“My name is Bill Gilbert. My wife Kathy and I have lived at 17 Flintlock Drive in Warren for over 40 years. We raised our children here.

I want to emphasize right up front that no development on this lot is appropriate. Like the vast majority of Warren residents, we thought this property was part of the open space created when the town purchased Wagner’s Farm with Green Acres grants. Last summer, we were shocked to find that this lot is being considered for development. We firmly believe the Township should designate this lot as open space not subject to any development.

The details of this proposal raise many concerns that highlight why no development should take place.

1. No environmental impact study appears to have been done. For a project near wetlands, and with a sewer plant, this is contrary to common practice.
   • As a result, we do not know if there are any potential impacts on endangered species, or on the broader environment.
   • It does not appear that the project has been reviewed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
2. It does not appear that a feasibility study was done to indicate that development of this property even makes sense.
3. Despite the developer’s testimony, I am skeptical of the ability of the project to handle storm water of the type that is now frequent.
4. Most alarming: the amount of fill that is proposed for this site is monumental: literally! 20,000 cubic yards. By my math, that is 1500 or more dump trucks of dirt to be brought in! I can’t imagine what that will do to the drainage and other aspects of the site. Never mind the damage to local roads.

While I understand the Township Committees’ objective to meet the town’s legal obligations for affordable housing; and that this proposed development helps, that doesn’t mean this site is the right location.

There are a host of issues with this specific proposal for special needs housing. First let me say that I am a huge advocate for those with special needs. Our son is in that category and lives in a community of those with special needs in South Orange. But he lives, like more than 200 others, where they can easily walk to their programs, to shopping, to jobs and to mass transit. Most importantly, note that they are an active part of the community, not isolated at all.

So while we aren’t property developers, we do know a lot about special needs services and housing.

• First, I want to point out that the developer does not actually operate any of the facilities that they build. They leave that to a “service provider.” Which means they aren’t the ones who have to deal with day to day operations or issues.
• Why would these residents want to be isolated? Saying that some wish to live in a suburban or rural environment sounds like an excuse.
• Supposedly there won’t be staff on duty 24/7. So no “super” or other person on site to call when a toilet backs up, etc.
• Make no mistake: these residents will be isolated. Especially considering the lack of services available. With such small numbers, the the so-called “service provider” will have few services on site. There is simply no critical mass. In contrast, in South Orange, our son has programs available 7 days a week including most evenings. But that is because they are serving well over 200 clients.
• As the developer has pointed out, the majority of residents probably won’t work. So they will be looking for services, like day programs and social activities. But they will need to go elsewhere since those services won’t be on site. Since most don’t drive, this means a steady, daily stream of vans and minivans. While the traffic volume probably isn’t a big concern, we believe the developer has seriously understated the volume of van traffic in and out. But much more important, they have distorted the picture of daily life at the facility.
• Of course, those who do work and don’t drive will also require transportation, whether Uber/Lyft or some sort of para transit.
• Let’s look at another aspect of how isolated these folks will be. They can’t walk anywhere, except possibly across the road to the garden and arboretum. Yes there will be some, limited activities on site. But there will be no integration with the larger community of Warren.
• This type of development should be downtown; for example where the housing is going next to the library. Or in the empty Kings grocery store. Any place within a short walk of downtown.

But I want to close by again saying we are totally opposed to any kind of development whatsoever on this lot or any portion of the former Wagner’s Farm. This open space is an essential feature of Warren for those of us who live here, and those considering living here.

Let me close by painting a picture.

Picture driving onto Mountain Ave a few years from now from King George Road past the first, then the second big new development. But then crossing over the I-78 bridge to find uninterrupted open space on both sides of the road, just as it is now. But, now picture the same drive with a large complex of 7 buildings opposite the community garden. With 50   lights interrupting the darkness at night. And buildings towering 4 to 8 stories tall in the day light.  If that doesn’t describe a mistake, I don’t know what does.

Thank you.”