Construction starts on 360 Colts Neck apartments after years of fights, water worries

COLTS NECK - A 360-unit apartment complex across from Colts Neck High School will begin construction Monday, according to Michael Sommer, chief development officer for the developer Kushner Cos.

Formerly named Colts Neck Manor, the complex is now called Livana Colts Neck.

The complex, which kicked up controversy in 2021 when it came before the Colts Neck planning board, broke ground on Wednesday.

In a township where the median house costs $847,000, according to 2018-2022 U.S. Census data, the addition of 360 apartments drew hundreds of residents to the local and county planning boards. Concerns were raised that the wastewater treatment system for the apartment complex could contaminate the nearby Yellow Brook .

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According to Sommer, Kushner has received all needed permits including those from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

“I would say it’s more a perceived risk than it is actual risk,” Sommer said in an interview. “In people’s minds when they know that change is coming, they think of what all the downside issues may be. … I understand it, I respect it, I recognize their point of view, but ultimately, we’re professionals that’s what we do."

He said Kushner owns and manages over 100 apartment communities in 14 states.

In 2006, Kushner bought the land and received approvals for a townhouse development.

“It was a well-located property in a beautiful town,” Sommer said, “So there was an opportunity to develop residential.”

However, the 2008 financial crisis put a halt to the project

“So, the decision was not to move forward at that time,” he said. “And I’m thankful because 48 townhouses, frankly would have been an underutilization of the property. And we feel like the community that is designed and approved here today is really the right fit for this location.

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The apartment complex is part of township’s affordable housing settlement agreement.

Of the 360 apartments, 72 units will be set aside for affordable housing. Unlike market-rate units, an affordable housing agency is in charge of setting the rent for the affordable units. According to Dan Burns, spokesman for Kushner, residents looking to apply for the affordable units would be able to apply through Piazza and Associates in Plainsboro.

In addition to a swimming pool, the apartment complex will have a fitness center, yoga studio, clubhouse, conference rooms, barbecue grills, fire pits and a dog park.

Nicole Kushner Meyer, president of Kushner, said during the groundbreaking that Livana means moon in Hebrew.

“Just as a moon transitions through its phases from new to full and back again, our lives evolve through various stages,” she said. “Similarly, Livana Colts Neck will provide a diverse and enriching environment (at) every stage, celebrating and being supported. Livana Colts Neck is designated to embrace newly married couples, those starting a family or empty nesters who no longer want to maintain a home.”

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Deputy Mayor Tara Torchia Buss, who was the only township official in attendance, said in an interview, “politically speaking, this has been a challenge.”

Buss expressed mixed feelings about the project. She said the project was beautiful, but “too large.”

While other officials chose not to attend, she said, “there’s 360 units coming here to our township. We need to have a partnership with them.”

Buss was elected to the township committee in 2024, but was not on the planning board in 2021 when the project was approved by a vote of 7-2 .

The next round of affordable housing starts in 2025 and would need to balance state mandates with residents’ concerns.

“I really hope that our residents pay attention to what’s going on, listen, learn, not necessarily just pay attention to what they see on social media,” Buss said, “but educate themselves and ask questions.”

Livana Colts Neck is expected to be completed in February 2027.

Olivia Liu is a reporter covering transportation, Red Bank and western Monmouth County. She can be reached at oliu@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Construction starts on 360 Colts Neck apartments after years of fights, water worries