Developers Delay Presentations to Dover Planners

Review of 640-unit Bassett Highway project moved to March 19 meeting.

The Dover Town Planners shared support for residents' concerns about the impact that a proposed West Blackwell project would have on the neighborhood's parking challenges. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com)

Dover Town Hall was a full house for the February 19 Planning Board meeting, nearly evenly split among residents and developers and their attorneys, architects, and consultants. 

Attorney Dean Donatelli reviewed the town’s obligations regarding the fourth round of Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, which focuses on the decade-long window (2025-35) to build affordable housing through new and rehabilitated properties. The state of New Jersey has calculated that Dover must build out 349 rehabilitated and 113 new units. The town earns certain credits tied to proximity to the train station; those credits reduce the required new-home construction to 89 units.

The review drew spirited discussion among residents about the Mount Laurel Doctrine and Dover’s housing issues. Donatelli, Board Chairman Rafael Rivera, members Osvaldo Orama, Thomas Incera, and Board Attorney William J. Rush explained that the board had to approve the amendment. They all commiserated with the housing ratios and the rule that new low- to moderate-income units are open to a lottery of residents from Morris, Union, Essex, and Warren counties, not just Dover residents.

Then, like so many public meetings, issues revolved around parking. Review of an application to turn a vacant two-story commercial building, formerly known as Agra Environmental & Laboratory Services, into two three-bedroom units. The developers claimed 14 parking spots from the business would be reduced to four. That drew unanimous skepticism from virtually everyone in the room (see the result below).

There were three applications to develop lots in Dover, including the highly anticipated Bassett Highway project, which is expected to bring 640 units (17 of which are for low- to moderate-income residents). If you missed the meeting or didn’t have enough time to study them, you can review the materials – and get quick updates – below:

1. P25-06 – 86 Millbrook The subject property identified as Block 1708 Lot 1 within the Town of Dover and Block 133, Lot 1 within the Township of Randolph currently consists of wooded, vacant land within the R-2 Single-Family District. The Applicant proposes to redevelop the site into one (1) single family dwelling consisting of a 1,375 SF footprint with an associated 12’ wide paved access driveway and retaining walls. Site improvements consist of grading, drainage and landscaping.

STATUS: The proposed development of an empty lot for a single home appeared to require the fewest adjustments to the application. Carried over to the March 19 Planning Board meeting

DETAILS: CLICK HERE to the application exhibits.

2)P25-12 – 90 1/2 W. Blackwell Street The subject property identified as Block 512, Lot 13 currently contains a vacant 2-story commercial building, formerly known as Agra Environmental & Laboratory Services, which is a pre-existing nonconforming use. The applicant proposes to convert the existing Building to a 2-Family Dwelling (two 3-bedroom units), which is a permitted use in the R-3 Zone. Associated external improvements include a retaining wall, extended walkway, and the replacement of existing windows.

STATUS: Parking issues sparked the debate, prompting the developers to call a five-minute recess to discuss it. They returned with a request to carry the application review over to the April 16 Planning Board meeting. The board obliged.

DETAILS: CLICK HERE to the application exhibits.

3)P25-11 – 71 Bassett Highway The subject property identified as Block 1201, Lot 6 currently contains a 2-story masonry building for commercial/retail uses and a house of worship, with associated parking for passenger vehicles and tractor-trailers in the rear of the property. The Applicant is proposing to demolish the existing 2-story building to accommodate three (3) mixed-use buildings, which will consist of 640 total residential dwelling units and 11,733 SF of total commercial/retail space. The 640 dwelling units will include multi-family residential units and affordable housing units. Associated external improvements include the redevelopment of internal roadways, off-street and on-street parking, grading, drainage, utilities, lighting, landscaping, stormwater management, and proposed easements for new utility locations.

STATUS: No review was conducted of any aspect of the proposed project, which was the most anticipated of the evening. But as the last agenda item on the docket, the presenting group asked for a delay. The planners agreed to carry the presentation over to the March 19 Planning Board meeting.

DETAILS: The project is so big that it requires PART ONE and PART TWO of the application exhibits.