Proposed Independence Development - 517
Hello neighbors,
I just got a certified letter from an attorney looking to develope the land on 517 just north of the quickcjeck (922-930 rt 517). I will be attending the meeting to voice my displeasure with the proposition of 120 new residential dwellings 12 of which will be low income housing. When I bought my house I was told the area they are planning to develope was wetlands. Not sure if that was something just said by my realtor to sell me a house. I hope others on the road will join me. May 15 7:30 pm at the independence town hall.
Theywanttobuildwhat?"It's aged restricted coah housing" That's right --- hit 65 and off with your head!!!!
Used to horseback ride there, guess that means the farm is gone......
I really do like that quickchek though.
strangerdanger 
innocentbystander Be aware: Liberty House Apartments started out as low income housing for senior citizens only. Now it is not.
I do not want any more low income housing here. It deflates our property values.
Lili Really? Well I'm not concerned if our limited open space is for low income or the rich. That is beside the point. My concern is preservation for wildlife and our ecosystem = a better life for us.
It's really getting out of hand..very worrisome at this point.
positive positive, good point. And let's not forget that extra property tax is paid to preserve land. Was this property ever considered?
maja2 
Indy2 There is some pretty good info in this link..
http://independencenj.com/land-use-board/land-use-board/
i doubt the land use board gives a damn about the ecosystem. It's simply more tax revenue. More, more, more! They machine is never satisfied until every tree and nut is substituted with concrete. Well, that is until a developer wants t place 120 dwellings next to THEIR homes.
Another thing: the company is called woodmont independence urban renewal. Urban? Renewal? Definitely not what I signed up for.
Why doesn't independence build/approve something actually well into "Independence"? Everything they approve is within a half mile or closer to the hackettstown border! Plenty of land off of 46 in independence but they stick everything on 517 or bilby road!
That's what Mt. Olive and Washington Township seem to do also stuff everything close to the Htown border!
cloudyday And Mansfield Twp!
"That's what Mt. Olive and Washington Township seem to do also stuff everything close to the Htown border!"
OnTheEdge 
Indie No, they're building this in this spot because it's close to 517, 80 and Hackettstown. When will the urban sprawl stop?
Curious Is anyone considering the burden it will put on the school district? Especially considering what is going on with the dual superintendent proposing moving students from Hackettstown to Great Meadows. If there are 120 homes built, there could potentially be 240 more children to be educated. The taxes generated from these homes will not be beneficial to Independence financially. And I also thought this was considered to be part of the wetlands.
Parental Unit Bug3, all of them? I thought there was a portion that would be low income and the rest were for anyone. Are children not allowed?
https://ecode360.com/documents/IN0858/source/LF947321.pdf
Here is the town ordinance that was passed at the end of the year to green light this project.
Jim L The Township Committee said it is in the best interest of the Town, how so?
Also, no Exhibit A attached to the document that states the form of Financial Agreement the town is supposed to receive in-lieu of taxes.
WHEREAS, as part of its Application for tax exemption, the Redeveloper submitted a form of
Financial Agreement (" Financial Agreement") providing for payments in lieu of taxes, a copy of
which is attached to this Resolution as Exhibit "A" which includes exhibits and schedules attached
to the Financial Agreement; and
kb2755 Is the meeting still scheduled for Monday night? I called the town hall twice and no one answered.
Ok I called again today and spoke to the clerk. The meeting is still on for tonight at 7:30pm. I'm interested in finding out how this will benefit the residents of independence.
12 low income units= the potential for additional students marginal.
PLUS
I believe this density requires both public water AND sewer,
Not sure that this additional capacity is available from the existing infrastructure .
Stymie The land use board has no clue how to run a meeting like that. There were FOURTEEN members. Typically a planning board consists of about 4-6.
They let the developer talk for 90 minutes (7:30-9:00) about how great his properties where before opening the floor to the audience for questions, at which time the audience began to chastise the board for allowing this "monstrosity" to be built. After a half hour of the board reminding people that this time was for questions and we would be able to speak our minds AFTER all the testimony, we were now 2 hours in. At 9:30, after an approximately 85 year old member asked "wait, how many acres is this on?" (What?? More time wasted with ridiculous questions? YOURE ON THE DAMN BOARD WITH A SITE PLAN IN FRONT OF YOU..I digress) the chairman suggested we take a break to stretch our legs as the engineer, architect and traffic study guy still had to "testify." So, after 2 hours I left. I never got a chance to voice my opinion because I was following the rules and didn't have any direct, pointed questions for the developer. Anyone fill in what happened after?
sound like this was your first ever Land Use Meeting. Also sounds like the board followed the correct process.
Frist there are 9 member on the Land Use Board I have never seen a planning/zoning/land use board with 4-6 members. Typically there are 7 or 9 and you need at least 5 at a meeting to make a quorum. Boards are made up of odd numbers to avoid tie votes:
http://independencenj.com/land-use-board/
There are 4 Alternates so maybe they were there too?
As for the process of the meetings, think of these as trials.. There is an opening statement by the applicant, followed by testimony and then a closing argument. Its the same process for every applicant
The applicant gets to present their opening statement on why they are before the board, then they bring in a expert (usually architect or engineer) to show the site plan and go over the details. The board is allowed to ask questions during the testimony. Once the testimony of that expert is over and the board has no further questions for that witness the board opens it up to the public to ask the witness questions.
Then the process is repeated with any additional experts the applicant would like to call up. After ALL testimony is given the applicant makes a closing argument and then the public is allowed time to give their opinion of the plan. This way everyone has seen the "facts of the case" and gives opinions based on fact rather than just NIMBY. Plans of this size usually take multiple meetings.
Then the board votes.
You should have stayed to hear the other testimony, perhaps you would have heard something that would have trigger a question or perhaps one of your concerns would have been addressed. good news is I'm sure there was no vote at that meeting so please attend the next one. Once all testimony is given you will be allowed to voice your opinion of the site.
Jim, there were 14 people sitting behind the large horseshoe-shaped desk. The developer even remarked "jeez I've never been so outnumbered by a planning board before."
This meeting was a joke. Should have stayed for the whole thing? I budgeted 2 hours. The meeting was only half done at that time. Absolute joke.
Again there is only 9 people on the Independence Planning Board. Other people that are there are the clerk, town attorney, town engineer and town planner
So you expected a meeting to decide a site that big to only last 2 hours?
jim - how about making the meetings, heck, all of the town council meetings, live stream? the technology has been around for a couple years now. seeing what's going on would be easy. a little more difficult but doable would be to allow for online comments and questions to be sent in. that would make everything more transparent.
well actually I am on the Hackettstown Planning board so I kind of know what I am talking about. And No I wasn't at the meeting but based on your recap of the events I can tell you they followed the proper procedures.
again as stated on your town website there are only 9 land use board members. There are 4 alternates.
All planning board's have to follow the same procedure for each and every applicant. I get that you are not in favor of this project but that does not mean the board doesn't know what they were doing or should break the proper procedures so that you can voice your opinion in the time window you budgeted.
Let me know if you need any help understanding the process for when you go to the next meeting
ken while I have seen some towns that have live streaming I have not seen any that have online comments or questions capability . I'm all for more involvement from the residents. We moved up the meeting from 7:30 to 7pm to see if that might help get people to come to the meetings but so far it hasn't.
streaming....I'm still waiting for them to take credit cards for the taxes. Yugest bill I've got and I have to write a check....pls --- something electronic....save a tree.
Or maybe posting minutes on line within 6 months after the actual meeting....
Or put the tape/recording online so we could at least listen.....
"In the year, twenty oh seventeen, paper's been deemed hasbeeen...."
BTW when you say "Typically a planning board consists of about 4-6. " that is not accurate:
ARTICLE 2. MUNICIPAL PLANNING BOARD
40:55D-23 Planning board membership. 14.Planning board membership. a. The governing body may, by ordinance, create a planning board of seven or nine members.
http://envirostewards.rutgers.edu/Lecture%20Resource%20Pages/2008Lecture%20Notes/New%20Jersey%20Municipal%20Land%20Use%20Law%201-2008.pdf
If anyone is interested, that area was an old dump site for town. My friend dug there a few times, found a few hackettsown dairy bottle. That whole area was a farm (what wasn't). You can find old privy holes along the treelike and what was the compact warehouse. Don't ask me for more details as my friend is no longer with us.
AAA Any update on this planned monstrosity? I remeber the developer saying "we are not your typical builder. When we start a project we won't run out of money and leave the half built buildings abandoned."
I recently hear the builder ran into financial problems but that info was from a less-than-reliable source.
Well, they are back at it again. Just got a certified letter. I thought this was dead and buried but apparently it has new life. Anyone else get a letter? What can we do to stop this? Do our voices even matter?
I mean, would it do any good to pool money together to hire legal representation? I know this only affects the residents who live adjacent to the monstrosity but even still, there should be enough of us. My taxes are over $11,000/year for one acre. I refuse to pay that and be forced to look at this site.
to give you an example Consiglier, Allamuchy residents pooled together and hired an attorney for the proposed rehab facility. They also attended every meeting in full force. They created a facebook page and a online petition. They were very vocal in their opposition and made sure there was a large attendence at every meeting.
Thanks Jim. Hopefully my neighbors will be on the same page. If not, I may end up moving :/
Hmmmm. Assessed at 3.4 property tax rate, about $380k. Only an acre. Lives in view of 517 development. Nah, you’re not selling that.
JK ;-)
Bear in mind the PV development and that industry depended a lot on ObamaCare coverage to drive their business case. That might have harshed the developer’s mellow about the project as the recent ocare attacks have had the expected result
So, hiring lawyers might be a good idea, better than going alone, but I would check references and success rates carefully. It’s not like legal representation has skin in the game.
Can a moderator change the name of the thread? I think it would get more views and responses.
here is some more information on the owners of the land:
http://njparcels.com/sales/2112_6.02_3
https://www.woodmontproperties.com/
They are a big time developers so i would recommend residents come prepared and united if they are truely against this project.
The certified letter I got today has instructions to (if you want to) mail a letter to the NJ wetlands commission detailing the reasons why they shouldn’t build. Apparently there are wetlands there.
First I need to have more people care about this.
It's vacant land on a busy county road, adjacent to a big arse development and a gas station. Where else would something like this get built.
MaJa, the thing is, it doesn’t benefit the people of independence one bit while making the roads more crowded, schools more crowded and building on top of protected (well I guess now it’s un-protected) wetlands. Do you think our taxes will go down since they’ll have ALOT more revenue coming in? Will they provide more services to the people of the town with that new revenue? The answer both of those questions is NO. Id be just as against this even if I didn’t live across the street.
How is a over 55 development going to make the schools more crowded?....infact Independence just closed a school because they do not have enough students....the empty stores in the area could use more customers
I thought it was age-restricted (55+)?
These types of developments are considered very attractive as they bring in quite a bit of property taxes but don't have impacts on the school systems (and they can be made to be private, with an HOA being responsible for maintenance of all the roads in the development, so there isn't even road maintenance and snow plowing expenses to worry about).
ianimal They are not 55+. I was at the meeting in 2017 and the developer said these were luxury apartments (granite counter tops/SS appliances, etc) and a one bedroom was $1800 (maybe it was $1600). 100% not for seniors.
and you cannot tell people they cannot have children......yep, schools will be looking for more monies, also more police , fire , etc..
steven So much for 'wetland'. I'm sure the state made alotta people firesale land once it was made unsellable to builders... So to keep money going i guess they will ease what is wetland and what is not.
The land may be wetlands but it does not show up on the National Wetlands Inventory mapper:
https://fwsprimary.wim.usgs.gov/wetlands/apps/wetlands-mapper/
justintime Interesting about it not being listed on the wetlands map.
And again, it’s not 55+. These will be 3 story luxury apartment buildings
You could use wetlands or isn’t it really hilly there, doesn’t that do something? Because if it’s really 55+ and it’s that location; I think you have a tough row to hoe.
I am not for high density moderately priced housing; I think we have enough. No matter what age the occupants, if they have money to spend, so much the better for our community. But if it has to be high density, 55+ has the least amount of impact while adding further diversity to our neighborhood. Although if they start hanging at the quikchek, with their big cars, blue hair, and funky clothes — that could be a nuisance ;-) I’ll have to find a new spot :-)
It’s not 55+.
At the meeting the developer said they were targeting young, high-earning single people who wouldn’t mind driving a bit further on 80 to their jobs. Also said they were luxury apts
dodgebaal "the developer said they were targeting young, high-earning single people who wouldn’t mind driving a bit further on 80 to their jobs. Also said they were luxury apts"
Trader Joe's, here we come (-;
This area has nothing to offer young singles.
Why would anyone move further down Rt 80 west and travel east to work. Rt 80 is a commuting nightmare!
outsider Well, if that’s the case, only weekend and commuting traffic will be higher! Restaurants and brew pubs more crowded. And they will spend more money in town. Think only positive effect to my home’s value.
Sorry but more offended by the 100+ non-luxury apartments shoved in behind CVS. Or the QC oasis at five corners traffic debacle.
This one is harder to hate for me, bring on Whole Foods, Trader Joes and two buck chuck.
I hear you SD. All good points. I can’t help but think you’re opinion would be different if it was directly across from your house. Seeing woods out of the window for years then having that view changed to 3 story apt buildings. When we bought this house we were told no one could ever build there because of the wetlands. Not taking the realtor’s word at face value, I did my due diligence, checked with the town and was told the same thing: can’t build there=wetlands. Looks like all it took was a developer’s “donation” to the town and all of a sudden those wetlands ain’t so wet anymore.
Granite countertops equate to luxury LOL. Woodmont builds a lot of properties so good luck fighting them, they have deep pockets.
iJay You are absolutely correct and living in the country that's always a risk. That, and right of way issues..... That, right of way issues, and septic.... That, right of way issues, septic, and fixing the power.... And don't forget those ever-encroaching neighbors.....
And you are right that IF it's one of those proud Mary buildings that sticks up the sky like a raised second finger visible to you, or across the entire valley, as is their way, that is bad for anyone in eyesight. Like the Mt. Olive scar on Schooleys.
But I think the M&M's distribution point with all those trucks is probably the nobler fight. In any event, best luck and I support your efforts, but don't think you will see me at the meeting. If it is indeed Indy, that's a debacle too. Just look at who's on the board: http://independencenj.com/land-use-board/ I am sorry, but these people are a planning joke, homeowners nightmare, and basically will get run over by a savvy developer. I used to attend meetings instead of watching sitcoms that night..... I watched people do a tap dance on their heads, and they didn't even live here.... But now you have the telno's, start dialing.
Get a group, get a lawyer, check those wetlands ---- you can't wiggle out of that, I believe that's State, not local. You need a team for sure. Here's your maps: https://www.google.com/search?q=independence+nj+wetlands+map&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=uKbuZaTdK3DYbM%253A%252CFVftFScGzWUTIM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kRdCQarosS09VkTAq9ynYZRvkyksw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiHkaPG3KDlAhVPU98KHfySAPAQ9QEwAHoECAkQBg#imgrc=iLhaA6iY_bOGkM:&vet=1 Also, as indicated earlier, check the slope. I thought slope-building had a whole new set of requirements, at least you might force x-amount of open space in the deal.
And finally, check that zoning. Not quite sure but you're either R-1, medium density, or B -- business. Think either might provide benefit to your efforts. https://www.google.com/search?q=independence+nj+wetlands+map&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=uKbuZaTdK3DYbM%253A%252CFVftFScGzWUTIM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kRdCQarosS09VkTAq9ynYZRvkyksw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiHkaPG3KDlAhVPU98KHfySAPAQ9QEwAHoECAkQBg#imgrc=iLhaA6iY_bOGkM:&vet=1 Remember, it's the variances that kill you, or the project.
Here's Indy's zoning regulations. Indy used to have a great tree hugger on the board I think. The environmental regs may be stronger than expected because of that. Think you will find your avenue of approach. Let us know the zone and we can take a look. Here they are: https://ecode360.com/10271380 Zoning will be your key I believe.
Lastly, find Darrin on this board. He is very good at the ways of the Land Use Boards. A great asset no doubt.
Hope that helps, best luck.
According to current NJDEP mapping, there aren't any wetlands on the site... but that could just mean that no one has had an LOI done on the property yet. Their database for wetlands mapping consists of areas of hydric soils per Soil Conservation Service mapping and properties that have had wetlands delineations done as part of development applications.
Iamimal, along with the certified letter they sent a map of the site with the wetland area marked. Let’s see if I can figure out how to post a pic...
Yeah, I did a little more digging... they had wetlands delineations verified on that site 3 times since 2004, with the most recent being 2016.
Interestingly, NJDEP issued an LOI in December of 2014, to which the applicant filed an appeal in February of 2015. He must have won the appeal because NJDEP then issued a modified LOI in November of 2016.
That tiny pocket of wetlands isn't going to hinder development in the least. It's isolated, and well under an acre. If he wanted to, he could get a GP-6 and just fill it in, but he could easily work around it as well.
At most, it will have a 50' transition area buffer if it was deemed to have "intermediate" resource value; if it was determined to be "ordinary", then it won't have any buffer at all. I don't see any way that it would have been classified as "exceptional", which would require a 150' buffer.
There will be plenty of room for him to get a driveway past that area and develop the rear of the site.
https://www.nj.gov/dep/landuse/fww/fww_gp06.html
Pretty sure it’s zoned R1; single family or farm. Gonna need a rezone for multi-family. Jim L can probably speak to this type of variance.
Sorry, link didn't stick.
For zoning regs, try: https://ecode360.com/10271076
And it was Frank somebody or other who was the environmentalist.
Now, I think Mansfield is the place for township entertainment :>) I am loving it.
There was a "Redevelopment Plan" approved for the property back in 2016 or so. That will determine what can be built on the property and would need to be modified if the current proposal differs from what was approved back then.
https://ecode360.com/documents/IN0858/source/LF947321.pdf
Letters of Interpretation for freshwater wetlands are issued for a period of 5 years with the ability to be granted an "extension" for an additional 5 years from the date of original issuance. That letter indicates that they are applying for their five year extension, which makes sense, since the most recent LOI was issued in December 2014 (and modiifed in 2016, but I guess they still toll back to the original approval date).
If that's all this is, it might mean that they are just keeping their options open. This is all you received? No notice that they were appearing before the Township Planning Board? If so, then it might be a complete nothingburger.
Chairman Fernandez made the motion to approve the application, conditioned upon:
seconded by Mr. Ulmer. Roll call vote:
Ayes: Mrs. Walter, Mr. Feula, Mr. Kelsey, Mr. Fernandez, Mr. Cullen,
Ms. Carvino, Mr. Cougle, Mr. Engels, and Mr. Ulmer.
Nays: None recorded
Abstain: Mr. Best and Ms. Milano, who are not eligible to vote on this matter.
http://independencenj.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/8-21-17-1.pdf
After reading the minutes from the 2017 meetings, sorry Consigliere but this project was approved by the planning board at the 8/21/17 meeting. Looks like they had a total of 4 meetings from May '17 - Aug '17. But the site plan was approved, they will be building it eventually.
Just questioning the location...this is pretty much right next to the quick check on 517 North correct?
I see...Cars stopping on the 'hill' of 517 to turn in and out of said development would result in many car accidents...
I agree with Ianimal. That letter appears to be a request for an extension of the LOI that was issued prior. To keep their options open, in the event they decide to move ahead at some future date. Doesn't really put your mind at ease.
I would suggest though, if they received approval of a site plan by the Independence Planning Board, there should be a time limit on how long that approval is good for (terrible sentence structure, I know). You could look into that. They may be just getting things done in order to prepare for getting an extension of time on that site plan approval with the Township.
Lonesome Dove Site plans are good for 2 years. After that the town can technically rezone the property and the applicant would have to come back for an extension
Yes, ianimal. That’s all I got. From what JimL says, there’s nothing that can be done at this point. I figured since 30 months passed since the meeting I attended this sucker was dead. Guess not. Thanks for all the replies, everyone!
If this was the Poconos you would have a truck stop there! So, it can always be worse. A Wawa would be worse.
I was thinking/wondering last night. Any past development(s) that needed water/sewer service always relied on HMUA for that purpose. But didn't HMUA make it known that they will not take on any more connections to their service a few years ago?
Again, I’m not sure they have the capacity for this development.
One died ( development) off of Petersburg just before the Highlands Act came into effect for that reason.
I’m unaware of any increases in capacity by HMUA.
Stymie, with all the time and money already put toward this project, I’m sure they would have made a call to the water dept prior to spending all that money and time on it so far. Obviously I hope you’re correct but I can’t imagine a scenario where they wouldn’t have checked this first.
OR—-betting that HMUA will eventually increase capacity and taking their place on line?
Easy to find out.
Greg 
JohnHB 
D-ManPV It's very Sad to view what's been destroyed at that site; the big trees, etc., and possibly a habitat for some animals. I feel badly for the people who will directly back the new development. There are trees standing between them and the development, but they are slim and look to be easily seen through with a view of the machinery and mess of downed trees and shrubbery and an eventual view to the development itself. This is from my observation as I go by that area fairly often.
Mrs. Pipes I totally agree, Mrs. Pipes. It must be horribly noisy and dirty - and traffic will become worse than ever.....Damn shame.
4catmom Checked out Woodmont Properties LLC. Quite the big company. They don't really list what they are building on that property, even though they have a NEWS page at
https://www.woodmontproperties.com/#news
I don't see anything on the Warren County website either.
I'm trying to get a application for the apartments are the homes that you have on 517 and babli road here in hackettstown my name is Renee range my phone number is 908 813 8618
Renee Range 
mmdone Does anyone have the details about what type of apts these will be? I went to one of the meetings and was told these will be 120 “luxury” offerings with 10 percent (12 apartments) dedicated to low income. Yet everyone I talk to locally says they will be “low income” housing. Was I lied to by the town/developer? Seems like the company building them builds all luxury properties but the word on the street is the exact opposite.
Amazing how they build all these new low income places and everyone else gets stuck renting apartments that are 50 years old and over priced...
Metsman 
GC All the info can be found in the minutes of the meetings. "Word on the Street" is always wrong.
"Chairman Fernandez reviewed the income ranges for the affordable housing
units. It was noted that out of the 120 units, 108 units would be market rate units, 12 units would affordable housing (8 moderate units, 3 low units, and 1 very low units). "
http://independencenj.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/5-15-17.pdf
so 10% affordable which is custom for any new development in NJ.
"Amazing how they build all these new low income places and everyone else gets stuck renting apartments that are 50 years old and over priced..."
you're right Metsman, that is amazing... amazingly wrong. 90% of these new units will be market-rate units.
Consigliere - Long time HL meme where an obvious joke about "Whole Foods" turns into "an Olive Garden is positively, 100% sure, no way it's wrong CONFIRMED because I spoke to someone and they KNOW". When pressed, the supposedly in the know source said "but I saw it on Hackettstown Life!!".
Instead of being grateful for what you have, your griiping about what others may get? If you’re so unhappy with your apartment what’s stopping you from getting a new one. and if you’re going to save money then what’s stopping you from getting a second or third job and saving up? You would rather tear others down then build yourself up I guess.
Oink I thought "princess towers" was the low income housing
https://www.nj.com/warrenreporter/2013/01/site_plans_for_princess_towers.html
Sounds like all Hackettstown schools are going to be in the market for more desks.
Influx of students does not bode well for Hackettstown property taxes.
Neither projects on bilby road are “low income” housing. Both will have a small % of affordable units as is a requirement in all new development in NJ. As always bug3 is wrong.
Jim L.,
What price is "affordable units", 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom? This town is catching up in price to the town going east.
Hackresident Princess Towers is Bilby too, not Willow Grove.
But it's not even the right township. That's how these kinds of "word on the street" get all mixed up.
"Affordable units" as in what is set by COAH, which the renter would have to qualify for:
"WHO QUALIFIES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING?
In order to be eligible for affordable housing in New Jersey, a household’s income must be below the income limit for the region in which the affordable housing is located, either for low or moderate levels. A moderate-income household is classified as earning between 50 percent and 80 percent of the area median income. A low-income household is classified as earning less than 50 percent of area median income. COAH has included a new category for very low-income households, which are classified as earning less than 30 percent of area median income. Municipalities are not required to provide affordable housing to very low-income households; however, at least 10 percent of all affordable rental units must be affordable to households earning 35 percent or less of median income."
https://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/lps/hss/admin_files/rentalmanual.doc
120 luxury apartments on Woodmonts website..not senior
http://woodmontproperties.com/
COMING 2022—Currently under construction, Woodmont Independence is located on 11 acres set amongst the rolling hills of Independence Township. The community will feature 120 luxury apartment residences comprised of one- and two- bedroom floorplans, some including dens. The apartments will feature upscale gourmet kitchens, designer master baths, high ceilings, expansive walk-in closets and an abundance of parking. Top-tier amenities include an elegant clubroom with resident lounge, game room, state-of-the art gym, and a virtual fitness center with spinning and yoga. Convenient work from home amenities include a conference room and work pods. Outdoor essentials include a heated pool, sun deck, BBQ and lounge terraces. We are pet friendly with a bark park, walking paths and an indoor pet spa. Join our VIP list and we will provide you with more information when we get closer to opening our leasing office in Fall of 2022.
Philliesman 
Drew Drew
It wouldn't help those that live within the city limits anyway, though it may help the local businesses. Good old 60's. "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
Phil D. 
Green Trees Hey all — I got a chance to check out these new apartments as they’re open for tours (appointment only). While they are nice inside, I don’t see how they’ll make the outside space appealing with that location.
But mostly — holy moly are they expensive. Two bedrooms for 2825, Two bedroom plus den for over 3k. No utilities are included and there is a yearly amenity fee, so that pricing is just for the apartment space. Is this really where the Hackettstown rental market is now? Has the median income increased that much?
Curious to hear others thoughts! I’m also wondering if the other new apartments by CVS will be similar in style and price.
Kat let's face it...it's tenements, among others there...just can see it on the left as you pass by on 517...the view of hundreds of roofs, going way far back into the distance....now an ugly site, soon to be made uglier by time and the influx of crippling traffic...I remember the small, but beautiful older growth forest that was there before the defacement...a Travesty....
zentravl Kat, I was thinking the same thing! Who can afford 3K a month, $300+ utility bills, $180+ TV/Internet, car payment, insurance, not to mention credit card debt? That's just living in an apt and not including groceries etc. Wages have not increased that much at all. Seems like you'd have to be taking home 1200 a week to be a debt slave with no savings at all.
OP OP and zentravl I agree with both of you.
I am (more than) a little worried that housing with that wild of a price increase from the norm will change the whole financial landscape of the town and those of us born/raised/lived here through adulthood will be pushed out even faster than we already are. Hackettstown area salaries cannot keep up with Hackettstown area housing.
You have to imagine they’re going to install some vegetation along the road to limit the 517 eyesore, right? Maybe a line of evergreen-type trees/bushes? Both for the new tenants and the public passing by? It does look much worse than I thought it would with a vast view of roof line.
And the pricing quoted above for a one bedroom in this area is simply comical.
Now, trying to be a bit positive here, but will the traffic really be that much worse? Even if every apartment has 2 cars (which they won’t) that’s another 240 cars on 517. I don’t even think that will be a blip on the radar. Maybe I’m being too optimistic?
The prices may seem high, but they are a bargain for the folks looking to move to the area from Bergen County, NYC, and Long Island. Sad but true. I miss the Hackettstown from 30-40 years ago. Oh well, like they say, you can't stop progress.
Rob Durana Consigliere, the accepted standard for mid-rise apartment buildings is 5.5 vehicle trips per day per unit, so the expected increase in daily traffic would be 660 vehicle trips. (Note that "trips" include coming OR going, not both.)
Consig- The rendering does not appear to show a lot of screening vegetation along 517. However during the process the Allamuchy LUB may have asked for some additional to be planted.
The traffic study would indicate any impact if any on the traffic. With just 660 vehicle trips, I would think that it's negligible. One would need to know the current average daily traffic numbers to really compare any additional traffic impact. I would think the folks living there with those exorbitant rents are hitting route 80 to head east for work.
Greg
If this is the project behind Quick Chek on 517, then it is in Independence Township so approvals would be by them.
As an aside Independence Township retook ownership of their portion of Bilby Road from Warren County as the Warren County Planning Board would not approve the project as submitted due to insufficient sight distance onto Bilby Road.
Towny Towny- Of course! I was reading the LUB agenda and such earlier on Allamuchy's site as I often like to do for surrounding towns. I guess I had Allamuchy on the brain! LOL.
I have even read some of the minutes on the Indy website regarding that project. I guess like George Costanza's shower at the gym, it didn't take! LOL
Are rents high for no reason? All of the excessive spending at the local and state level gets passed on.
Sheesh, you’re right, Greg. That rendering doesn’t show any additional veg. But, like you said, I’m not sure the artist would be apprised of every back and forth negation between the town and builder. Even if they were, the rendering may have been created before any of that was discussed. Of course, they didn’t render the art in winter which would make the site look much more crammed and closer to 517.
Correct. This was most likely done long before the many LUB meetings. The rendering is meant to show the project in it's best possible light. Winter in NJ would not be too appealing for sure! LOL.
"The rendering is meant to show the project in it's best possible light. "
You mean like showing the Quick Check and Oak Hill as a bunch of trees?
jnnjr Yes. Those properties are not the subject and focus of the rendering. The (new) building is. Any rendering for a proposed structure typically does not show surrounding buildings. They are irrelevant unless the new building is situated in a streetscape joining existing structures.
If Village Green apartments in Budd Lake with 2 baths/1 bath Deluxe $2275-2966 and 2 baths/1 bath Premium is up to $3140, brand new "Two bedrooms for 2825, Two bedroom plus den for over 3k" seems not super bad.
Lena Lena — that is frankly ABSURD for those old apartments. Completely and utterly absurd. Sorry.
Village Green prices
https://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/New-Jersey/Budd-Lake/SDK-The-Village-Green/25729/
So flabbergasted I almost forgot to add — that’s exactly the problem I’m concerned about. Once one apartment complex in the area jacks up rents super high, all the others do as well. There’s no benefit to offering the cheapest rents around.
Between THREE completely new complexes being built here (seriously?) and Towpath and Village Green being bought out and similarly up-priced, we will see every complex in town raising rates. Goodbye Hackettstown workers, hello city commuters.
Holy smokes! It's no wonder NJ ranked #1 in people fleeing the state....again. Second place went to California, go figure.
Towpath Isn't cheap either
https://jcmliving.com/apartment-rentals/nj/hackettstown/towpath-village/availability/
Bug3 the new rental office at Towpath actually said to a resident here that they were intentionally raising rents quickly so that they could “get more of the right people in”. The right people are apparently not the people who already live in our beautiful town.
There are new apartments in Bedminster:
https://www.apartments.com/bedminster-crossing-bedminster-nj/er4z1rn/
1 bedroom 2800
2 bedroom 3900
!!
Well, at least you can walk to the Far Hills train station with better service to NYC, etc.
$46,800 per year excluding all the other monthly bills most folks have just for the "privilege" to live in NJ. LOL. I personally cannot fathom that amount of money spent annually without any equity in the long run.
$1525 for a one bedroom in Towpath?!!!?! That is absolutely insane to me.
And the village green prices are even more astounding. In our early-mid 20’s, before we bought our current home, my wife and I rented at the village green. We were there for 4 years and the rent was between $780-$820 (monthly rates went up about $10/year). We’re talking mid-late 2000’s. I can’t believe rent doubled in the past 12-15 years when wages have barely moved. I feel sorry for the young couples just starting off.
Babbit Not to go to far afield here, but as the old adage went..."follow the money"...for the wealthy that aren't quite wealthy enough for private equity we have REITS and similar investment vehicles. Like any investment, they exist for ROI or return on investment.
People gotta live someplace so the investors (a while back now) started buying up those "someplaces"; single family as well as multi-family properties. Coupled with high mortgage rates and less housing stock overall, the rental market s/b the place to be for quite a long while. Lest we forget, there are always depreciation and refinance pathaths toward sheltering that revenue. It's good to be rich!
New2this "You will own nothing and be happy" Klaus Schwab head of the World Economic Forum. (I.E. leader of the Davos crowd). Welcome to the "Road to Serfdom".
Hammer "You'll get nothing and like it!!!" - Judge Elihu Smails at the Bushwood Country Club snack bar.
Except Klaus never said that.
It was someone else, taken out of context, as a rhetorical on what could be, not what should be.
Lies can be so entertaining, spread some more, disparage away.
Smails however was caught on tape, that’s the real deal.
jnnjr said, "You mean like showing the Quick Check and Oak Hill as a bunch of trees?"
Haha yeah. Here is from the Ad on Facebook.
Rich WOW - at least on their site, there was some plausible deniability (taken from a angle that they could have just said the QC was just past those trees). You can physically see the intersection in that image and no sign of QC (or Oak Hill for that matter. I guess truth in advertising is no longer a thing.
I agree it surely gilds the lily a bit! However in all fairness, the FB posts do have the following disclaimer.
"Woodmont Liberty
Look how beautiful the community will look. This is a site rendering."
Obviously anyone looking to reside there would need to make a site visit to get a realistic feel for the surrounding area.
on woodmontliberty.com there is photo with big trees growing out of the pavement on rte. 517
Be careful when driving!
Seeing how all this is progressing, I have no idea where our children are supposed to live in the future. Guess I'll be forced out of Independence sooner or later, somewhere where real estate is more reasonable and I can afford something a bit bigger so our child can live with us for the foreseeable future.
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