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Commissioners press for rapid fixes at Sunset Apartments after elevator failures threaten residents
Summary
Counsel and commissioners pressed management to commit to short-term safety measures or face placarding after the township was told full elevator replacement at Sunset Apartments likely won’t be done until late 2026. Staff proposed a 60‑day deadline for interim measures such as 24/7 on-site maintenance; board discussed legal enforcement and resident relocation as last resorts.
Kelsey, the township counsel, told the board the building owner and manager have scheduled a full elevator car replacement but that work is not likely to be completed until November 2026, leaving residents with unreliable elevator access for roughly a year.
Commissioner Andy said he had “not much faith in this management company” and warned the board must consider stronger options if the schedule does not improve. “What if these people or one person dies because something bad happens and they can’t get out of this tower?” he said.
Kelsey said staff had asked the manager’s attorney for a written timeline and proposed that the township demand interim measures — for example, a 24/7 on‑site maintenance person who can reset or respond to elevator trips — and that the township set a firm deadline for those mitigations. She recommended documenting communications and coordinating with the codes enforcement officer so that, if the owner does not meet a deadline, the township can pursue placarding or other legal steps under the International Property Maintenance Code.
Several commissioners pushed for a 60‑day written plan as the next step. Commissioner Greg clarified the work is a complete car replacement requiring crane and removal of the old cab and that management has changed during the multi‑year process. Board members also discussed less‑coercive options — a memorandum of understanding for interim services or an agreement to have someone on site round the clock — as well as litigation or code enforcement as escalation options.
Kelsey said she would contact the property owner’s attorney and the township’s codes official, ask for a written mitigation plan and proposed deadline, and loop in county and state officials who have been engaged on the issue. The board asked staff to share the meeting recording and to set up a meeting with county and legislative officials if the owner provides an inadequate response.
The board did not vote on a formal enforcement action at the meeting but directed counsel to seek written commitments and report back on whether the township should placard the building if short‑term steps are not agreed to.
