Developer Given Initial Approval For Chatham Affordable Housing

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham Township’s 522 Southern Boulevard affordable housing complex is one step closer to becoming a reality, with the Planning Board giving the developer the green light for its preliminary site plan approval.

The township’s Planning Board voted unanimously this past Monday on the preliminary site plan for the Chatham Family apartments, to be developed by the Walters Group, a developer with more than 10 years and 1,500 units of affordable housing construction and management experience under its belt.

Chatham Township Deputy Mayor Kathy Abbott, who also sits on the Planning Board, told Patch on Thursday that the Walters Group, with its preliminary site plan approval, is now able to apply for tax credits with New Jersey’s Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.

The Walters Group intends to redevelop 3.2 acres of commercial property - at one time the grounds for a restaurant - and build an apartment complex with three buildings containing 62 affordable and one property’s caretaker housing units.

In addition to the buildings, the development is expected to have 95 parking spots, a “tot lot” playground area for small children, clubhouse area with a patio for grills and tables and a half-court basketball court, according to site plan documents from the Aug. 2 meeting.

Residents in the future complex will be within walking distance to the Chatham Mall and Hickory Square Shopping Center, with both municipally-owned Nash Park and Shunpike Field nearby.

The site plan report from the Morris County Planning Board indicates that the Walters Group has submitted an environmental impact statement, noting “multiple NJDEP Wetland permits will be necessary for this development.”

“We recommend that notes be placed within the site plan indicating those permits,” the County Planning Board wrote. “This property is located within the Great Swamp watershed.”

In its report, the county commented that the driveway connection on the existing property is going to be upgraded, along with the current sidewalk adjacent to Southern Boulevard, with ADA compliant curb ramps needing to be built.

The county’s Division of Engineering & Transportation agreed with the developer’s stormwater management proposals, with the County Planning Board suggesting water quality treatment devices installed for runoff.

In July, Chatham's Township Committee adopted an ordinance to establish a bus stop in front of the future Chatham Family Apartments after they've been built. The township plans to provide the bus that will, for a small fare, have service between that stop and Madison's New Jersey Transit train station.

RELATED: New Bus Route To Start When Affordable Housing Comes To Chatham

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.