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Residents press council over St. Andrews affordable‑housing overlay, citing setbacks, drainage and traffic
Summary
At a public hearing on zoning changes to enable affordable housing, residents across South Street and Ethan Drive urged the borough to preserve St. Andrews’ front lawn, resolve drainage risks for adjacent homes and clarify setback measurements; council said state timelines and mediation constrain local options and directed further review by the planning board.
The Borough of New Providence heard more than two hours of public comment on a zoning amendment tied to a mediated affordable‑housing plan that would allow development at the St. Andrews Church site.
Eric Waters, who lives at 394 South Street, asked why the ordinance sets a 25‑foot setback on South Street when the pastor has publicly said the church’s ‘‘great lawn’’ will be untouched. ‘‘I don’t see how those two things can both exist,’’ Waters said, and urged the council to require a site plan be shown to neighbors before any ordinance is finalized. Council and staff responded that setback language in the ordinance does not necessarily mean construction will occur to that line, but also noted that putting a setback into law can limit future options unless amended.
Several residents raised safety and infrastructure concerns. Rosemary Zeder (410 South Street) told the council she fears traffic and safety problems from multiple nearby projects, questioned the expected quality of low‑income units and noted that she…
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