Northfield planners OK age-restricted apartments

NORTHFIELD — The Northfield Planning Board gave its approval to a charitable nonprofit for construction of a 77-unit age-restricted rental apartment complex along Wabash Avenue between Mill and Tilton roads.

Glen McDonald, executive director of Homes for All Inc., and attorney Stephen Nehmad proposed the project informally to the board in May 2021 and returned Jan. 6 seeking major site plan approval.

“We’re very excited to bring this community online. There is a great need for senior rentals in the area and with the affordable component, we’re very excited to bring it on,” McDonald said.

The complex will include five buildings with two living floors above a parking garage — 37 one-bedroom and 40 two-bedroom units. A stipulation of approval is that 15 percent, or 12 units, will be designated as affordable housing to help cut the city’s deficit with the Council on Affordable Housing.

Amenities will include a clubhouse in building 5, a pickleball court, swimming pool, gazebo and pet walking area. Tenants must be 55 or older.

The project will be built on the 6.46-acre former site of Arthur R. Henry Inc. 

“We are happy it is moving forward and believe it is going to be a great benefit to the city of Northfield,” business spokeswoman Blair Albright said.

There are two buildings and a shed located on the property that have sat mostly unused for years. Vehicle access to the complex will be off Wabash Avenue. A walkway will connect it to the Otto Bruyns Public Library on Mill Road.

Homes for All Inc. is a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit housing developer with 35 years of experience in Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean counties, as well as throughout the state. It has a local office in the building with The Arc of Atlantic County off Tilton Road and another in Toms River.

The organization’s mission is to “provide affordable housing and wrap-around services that support working-class families in our region.” Homes for All currently operates two rental properties in the city, as well as others in Egg Harbor Township, Pleasantville and Galloway Township.

McDonald said the organization owns, operates, manages and maintains most of its properties.

“We’re in it for the long haul; this is what we do,” he said.

McDonald said Homes for All is more than just a developer of affordable housing, as it provides rental assistance, emergency home repairs, property management and community outreach as well. 

“Last year we served 445 families, built 395 affordable homes, made 40 emergency home repairs, assisted 94 renters with rental assistance and managed 118 properties,” he said. “Changing lives through affordable housing for 35 years — we’re awfully proud about that.”

Each building will have a furnished lobby with mail boxes and access to an elevator.

“This isn’t your ordinary affordable community,” McDonald said. “We don’t believe that affordable means low-budget. We believe people of all income levels should enjoy the same amenities and comforts as everybody.”

There will be 146 parking spaces with 74 on the surface lot. The total will include five van-accessible spots to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

McDonald said there has been a “tremendous positive response just from the approval,” which was noted on its website, homesforallnj.org.

“A lot of people are getting on the waiting list,” he said. “We don’t think there is anything like it in the area. We do a really nice full amenities package. We’re proud and excited to bring this facility to Northfield and think it will be our next award-winning complex.”

McDonald said the next step is to apply to the Department of Environmental Protection for a permit that likely will take more than a year to secure. He said they are hopeful for ground-breaking by the end of 2023.

“The demand will only increase from here,” McDonald said. “We believe it’s timely and as soon as we can get approval and shovels in the ground, the better for everybody.”

By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff