Somerset Development Takes Heat At Committee Meeting

Somerset Development asked the Township Committee last night to permit a zoning change that would void a senior community's age-restriction status in order to attract younger family-oriented home buyers and stave off hits from the poor economy. But a group of residents cried foul at the deed change, which would substantially increase the value of the property when the age restriction is lifted and buyers of all ages are welcomed. They argued the developer, Somerset Development, should have to either bid again for the property or pay the township the value difference from before and after the deed change. "They're playing hanky-panky with the taxpayers,'' said resident Berel Shushan, who projected the difference in value to be about $4 million. Somerset head Ralph Zucker said, according the township, the increase in value was likely 10 to 20 percent. "I'm not comfortable supporting this unless the township is compensated,'' Committeeman Steven Langert said during Thursday's meeting, where the 2009 budget was adopted with one of the lowest projected surplus in 10 years - about $4 million. Read full APP article here.

Ralph Zuckers' Development May Sell To Younger Crowd After All

At Wednesday's Township Committee meeting, the committee announced that it would proceed with removing the age restriction at the Pine River Village, marking the first sign of progress almost a year after the senior community's residents pleaded for the change in order to attract younger home buyers during the recession. The neighborhood, slated to hold 175 homes, is only about one-sixth complete after more than three years.The committee said it received a letter from its attorney stating that changing the deed and zoning to allow all ages was legal. Committee members still want to meet with the developer, Ralph Zucker, to examine his plans before making it final. app.