Woolwich JLUB approves Park Grove preliminary plan for 72 affordable units, sets utility and sidewalk conditions

The Woolwich Township Joint Land Use Board on Feb. 5 approved Preliminary Site Plan and Minor Subdivision for Park Grove Development, LLC, a proposal for 72 affordable housing units, subject to multiple conditions including utility review, site revisions and pedestrian improvements.

The board’s approval followed testimony from the applicant’s attorney and project professionals, peer traffic review and public comment. Attorney for the applicant said the governing body had already approved the project zoning and that the applicant will address the board’s engineering, planning and traffic comments and would not seek variances. The motion to approve was made by member Silberman and seconded by Moorer; the roll call recorded Yes votes from Cotton, Daniels, Kauffman, Matthias, Moorer, Nocentino, Silberman, Healey and Chair Grasso, and the motion carried.

Why it matters: The project is a 100% affordable housing application intended to help Woolwich meet municipal affordable‑housing obligations. Board members and the mayor framed approval as one step in meeting those obligations while placing several conditions on the developer to protect public safety and connectivity.

Key facts and conditions • Project: PB2025‑04 Park Grove Development, LLC — minor subdivision and preliminary site plan for 72 affordable housing units. Applicant agreed to revise plans per professional review letters and to avoid variances previously flagged by board professionals. • Utilities and safety: Residents and a retained geologist raised concerns that three high‑pressure gas mains run near or across the site. The board required the applicant to obtain utility documentation and any required inspections or approvals from the pipeline owners as a condition of final approval. Consultants and counsel agreed that utility locate/inspection and company sign‑off is standard practice before final sign‑off. • Pedestrian access: The board required an 8‑ft walkway/path along Kings Highway as part of the approval. Whether a full sidewalk along Garwin Road will be required was deferred to final approval after further review and applicant consent. • Emergency access: The board directed that the applicant replace temporary bollards or chain with a gated emergency access using a Knox‑box (or similar breakaway gate) per fire/EMS requirements. • Stormwater and grading: Engineer comments included widening portions of Garwin Road, addressing stormwater discharge to the county culvert and ensuring retaining walls and basins remain outside regulated wetlands buffers; applicant agreed to revise plans for final review.

Public safety concerns and responses Several residents testified about traffic safety at Rt. 322 and Garwin Road and asked when sidewalks would be installed. Resident testimony also included submission of a geologist’s report alleging a third, high‑pressure gas line that was not identified on the applicant’s site plan. The geologist recommended a formal risk assessment and disclosure to the board. Applicant counsel and engineering witnesses responded that the referenced survey did not clearly depict the applicant’s parcel and that utilities typically provide as‑built information and condition approval on any required mitigation; the board required that utility documentation be provided before final approval.

Technical reviews Traffic testimony updated counts and extended the analysis to a 2030 build year, with overall service levels the applicant’s traffic expert described as acceptable for single access to Kings Highway. Peer reviewer comments were limited and largely stylistic; the applicant agreed to revise the traffic report to address remaining items.

Next steps The board’s approval was preliminary; final approval will require submission of revised plans, utility/agency sign‑offs and the outstanding technical items to be resolved by the applicant and the board’s professionals. The transcript and audio recording are on file with the board secretary.