Westfield Approves Affordable Housing Unit Amid Resident Concerns

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield's Planning Board approved the development of a 162-unit affordable housing project in three buildings at Williams Nursery last Monday, despite concerns about flooding in the area and traffic congestion from residents.

At Tuesday night's Town Council meeting, Mayor Shelley Brindle provided more context into the Williams Nursery project and addressed many residents' concerns. She also posted a written explanation on her Facebook page.

The complex will include 162 units — which is an increase from the 130 units agreed upon in the 2017 Fair Share Affordable Housing Agreement — and 32 of those units will be designated for affordable housing.

Brindle said the Williams Nursery has been zoned for affordable housing since the 1990s, and this project will help Westfield meet its state-mandated affordable housing obligations.

As part of Westfield's settlement, the town must create a number of zoning districts to allow for the development of multi-family housing, and 15 percent of the rental units must be set aside for affordable housing.

Brindle explained that the Williams Nursery cannot be repurposed for another use, even for green space, because any property previously zoned for affordable housing must either:

1. Maintain its current use; or
2. Be developed into inclusionary multi-family housing once the owner chooses to sell.

Unless buyers pay fair market value and are willing to maintain the property as a nursery, Brindle said the property must be sold and developed for the purpose of affordable housing.

Brindle said these multi-family homes can add "vibrancy, economic vitality and socioeconomic diversity" to Westfield.

However, many residents have expressed concerns over the new units at Williams Nursery — particularly surrounding issues of flooding, overcrowding and traffic.

Cranford Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty sent in a statement that was read at the planning board meeting. She voiced concern over the new development causing more flooding in Cranford because of its location.

“Developing the Williams Nursery adjacent to Lenape Park is cause for concern to Cranford residents because of the potential for it to cause more flooding for homeowners in the northeast area of our town,” Miller Prunty said.

Because the site would replace the garden center, the developer — Jeffrey Hiller — said in the meeting that he is willing to increase the site's capacity to hold stormwater runoff.

Brindle did not address the issue of flooding in her statement.

In terms of traffic, the Traffic Engineer for the developer projected that the new development will bring 55 to 60 new vehicles in the morning and about 30 at night.

Brindle said she shares concerns with residents about the impact that the housing will have on traffic and congestion. As a result, she formed the Mayors Mobility Coalition and is working with mayors from neighboring towns — including Cranford, Garwood, Fanwood and Scotch Plains — to mitigate traffic and circulation challenged that the proposed new development may bring.

She said the mayors are specifically working to secure County and State grants to assist in developing a mobility and circulation plan for the area, prioritizing safer streets and enhanced bike, pedestrian and vehicular access.

Brindle also argued that that development will likely not cause overcrowding in the schools. Of the 151 apartments built in the last several years, Brindle said there are only nine school-age children living in them, which is less than half of what was projected.

The majority of these tenants, according to Brindle, are people trying to downsize, young couples or newly singles. She said this is even true of the three-bedroom apartments.

"At 501 South Avenue, nearly all of the 18 three-bedroom apartments are occupied by downsizers over the age of 55," Brindle said.

Total school enrollment is also down 371 students since 2015, and Brindle said current projects show no anticipated growth or further declines.

According to the 2020 census, which Brindle cited, Westfield — with 31K residents — was the second slowest growing municipality in Union County at 2.4 percent (+716 residents), compared to the County at 7.3 percent, the State at 5.7 percent and nationally at 7.4 percent.

To qualify for affordable housing in Westfield, a household must hold a certain percentage of the town's median income. Because the town's median income has increased over the last several years, Brindle said "workforce housing" is a more fitting descriptor than "affordable housing."

She said Westfield has become less economically diverse, with affordable starter homes being torn down for larger new construction homes, along with rising home values. Brindle argued that the new development could help working residents — like teachers, firefighters and police officers — afford to live and remain in the town.

To read the mayor's full explanation for her support of the new building at Williams Nursey, visit her Facebook page.

The next town council meeting will take place Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. See more information on the town's website.

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