One More Hurdle for 180-Unit Seniors Residential Project

MIDDLETOWN, NJ-If Conifer Realty, a local developer, can convince this township’s planning board that it has solved a variety of drainage and other environmental issues, its proposed 180-unit seniors apartment could be a go. That approval could come as early as the second week in September.

The latest proposal is a scaled-down version of a 375-unit seniors apartment complex and nursing home advanced for a 25-acre tract on this township’s border with the town of Atlantic Highlands. The size of the earlier proposal led Atlantic Highlands to go to court to try to block it. The settlement that emerged between the two communities has Atlantic Highlands buying nine acres for an undisclosed price, with the town planning to use it for passive recreational purposes such as hiking.

Conifer Realty’s residential project would occupy 3.7 of the 16 acres still owned by Middletown. According to Tom Barton, architect for Conifer Realty, the complex would consist of a four-story V-shaped building with 145 one-bedroom and 35 two-bedrooms units. Under the proposal, the developer would lease the site from Middletown for 120 years.

For the remaining 12.3 acres owned by Middletown, township officials propose to build athletic fields, a parking area and permanent restroom facilities. The township has already filed an application for some $1.9 million in state Green Acres funding for that use.