Developer presents 54-unit housing concept for Rocket Building Supply site; council asks planner to review

Representatives for the Duranti family presented a conceptual redevelopment plan for a cluster of lots long occupied by Rocket Building Supply, asking the borough to authorize planner review and to consider an ordinance that would enact the project's bulk standards.

"The Durant family ... have been builders in this town and are looking towards doing a housing project there," attorney/representative Bruce Whitaker told the council, explaining that the parcel comprises lots identified in the presentation and that the family seeks a non-condemnation redevelopment path.

Architect Raymond Verona walked the council through site drawings and statistics, describing two buildings totaling 54 rental units (39 units in one building and 15 in a lower-rise building on Harrison), eight affordable units to meet state requirements, a 1.525-acre site area, density of about 35.4 units per acre, approximately 25% open space, a proposed maximum building height near 45 feet, and 98 parking spaces that the team said exceed RSIS parking requirements.

Verona said the larger rear building would contain most parking within a garage beneath the building and that the Harrison Street frontage was designed as a green, townhouse-style presentation with street-level entrances for some units. He compared the concept to a previously approved Harrison Avenue project across the street and said the design attempts to conceal parking and maintain green frontage.

Council members pressed the presenters on several technical and community questions: whether first-floor retail had been considered (the team said no retail was proposed for the concept), whether fire apparatus could access internal turns and drives (architect: buildings will be fully sprinklered and RSIS standards followed; final engineering will address truck turning), and whether utilities would require upgrades (developer: engineering is the next step). Some council members said the parcel's downtown proximity suggested examining ground-floor commercial to "give back to the town," while others questioned whether retail would be viable.

Residents raised concerns about traffic, driveway access and peak-period congestion near the railroad station; some called the proposal "too many units" and urged the borough to explore options that would add more retail or lower density. The developer responded that the project exceeds required green space and provides affordable units, and said they would work with the borough planner to address concerns.

Council and staff directed the developer to engage the borough planner (Mr. Grigo) for site, parking, retail-viability and fire-access review and tentatively scheduled a follow-up discussion for a future meeting (council discussed a second meeting in January or a February meeting for deeper review). The developer offered to escrow professional fees if required for technical review.