Zoning Board Approves Habitat Project

Despite serious concerns over the density on the site, the zoning board approved an application by Habitat for Humanity with several variances in order to construct a six-unit affordable housing project at 39 Morris Ave.

Planning Board member Dottie Koernig said she felt that 17 conditions for approval was far too many for an application. The conditions ranged from requiring the hedge in the front of the property to remain or be replaced if removed during construction, to requiring continuous screening between the project and the adjacent neighbors at 35 Morris Ave. through a fence and trees.

"I would like to see affordable housing in Summit," she said. "But this is not the right place for it."

The only other nay vote came from Mark Hurrell who said the degree by which the project deviates from the city's zoning codes was too much for him to support the application.

"Every request (for a variance) is because it's a lot larger than the lot can hold," he said.

But the board's five other members voted in favor of the application.

"The overall project contributes to the welfare of Summit," said Harry Olsen. "We do have a need for affordable housing in Summit."

But Clark Street resident Vicki Lederman said that every time Habitat has been asked why they can't build less than six units on the property they say the project won't be economically feasible if they do that.

"But no one has been able to explain why," she said. "They want to move an existing home, which is a huge cost. I just don't understand the financial calculations here."

But the partnership between the City of Summit and Habitat for Humanity was written into the master plan when it was re-examined in 2006.

And Mayor Jordan Glatt was glad to finally see this project move onto the next stage.

"I think in years to come, Summit will be proud," he said.

The zoning board decision is not final, however. If residents chose to do so, they could appeal the board's decision to Common Council.