Chatham Residents 'Workshop' Options for River Road/Watchung Redevelopment that is Coming with Affordable Housing Agreement

CHATHAM, NJ -- Chatham residents who complained about the 245-unit Ivy apartments at the corner of River Road and Watchung Avenue after the plans were set, are getting a second chance to have their say about redevelopment in the same neighborhood.

Chatham residents rolled up their sleeves and broke into three groups on Thursday night, discussing and writing down their priorities for redevelopment in what is known as the "Gateway" zoning area at a public workshop coordinated by Chatham's redevelopment planner Fran Reiner at Borough Hall.

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Reiner went over the public survey concerning the agreement that calls for development in the River Road/Watchung Avenue area to satisfy Chatham's affordable housing obligation. The agreement Chatham made with the Fair Share Housing Center includes development on 20.2 acres that permits 35 units per acre within a 4-story building.

Reiner talks about the answer to one question that 52% of respondents said preferred a redevelopment plan (see below).

So far, 549 residents of the Chathams have filled out the survey, which can be accessed HERE .

Chatham's agreement to meet its third round obligation for affordable housing calls for 75 affordable units to be built in Gateway 1 and another 24 in Gateway 2. None of those units will count toward the fourth round element of affordable housing that will be coming in October 2024.

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In their workshop groups, Chatham residents discussed traffic congestion, storm water runoff, environmental concerns, ways to reduce density through a pilot and the option of building all-affordable.

Fran Reiner, redevelopment planner, goes over some of the survey answers at the workshop meeting

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