$400K To Go Toward Glendale Road Home For Disabled Adults

The Summit Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening in favor of releasing $400,000 from its Fair Housing Trust Fund to put toward the purchase of 43 Glendale Road by Our House, Inc.

The home, a ranch on a cul-de-sac, will be used as a group home for four developmentally disabled adults.

While the proposal was brought before the council at its previous meeting two weeks ago, a vote on the matter was tabled amid concerns that neighbors may not have been aware of the intended use for the property. 

At Tuesday's meeting, several residents spoke out against the notion of a group home on Glendale Road, citing concerns about the possibility of decreased property values and increased traffic in the quiet neighborhood. 

Reading from a letter sent to the council by the Department of Human Services  Division of Developmental Disabilities, Councilman Albert Dill, Jr. explained that proposed group homes are not required to discuss the use of the home with neighbors. 

Our House, Inc., housing coordinator, Gia Gore, reiterated the organization's plans for the site, which include having no more than four cars at the property at one time and adhering to all city zoning ordinances. She asked that the council approve the proposal based on Our House's track record in Summit where it has established 14 other group homes. 

Our House's Peter Wisniewski told the council that a group home located on Pine Way, which boasts some of the priciest homes in New Providence, has been adopted into the community, adding that property values have not decreased. 

The city of Summit will receive four credits toward its Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) obligation.