• What is being planned for the former Lord Stirling School property?

There is no formal redevelopment plan at this time. Currently there is a study and a potential designation to acknowledge the need for change. From there, through open public meetings, different uses can be suggested and discussed. Once the Planning Board recommends the site, the Township Committee can review any and all uses they see fit.

• How would the redevelopment fit in with the surrounding Bernards Township neighborhood?

It would be built at the exact same density as the property next door.

• Are there other proposals or uses for the Lord Stirling School site?

The property’s size lends itself to many possible uses. Jon has been approached by larger private daycare schools, religious institutions, national nursing home operators, 100% low-income housing developers, and multi-family apartment developers.

• Is the Lord Stirling School property zoned for residential or senior housing?

The Lord Stirling School is zoned residential and is completely surrounded by residential development. The zoning bordering one side of the property is 600% more dense than the school site, while the other side is 200% more dense.

• Why build senior housing at the Lord Stirling School site?

Jon’s goal is to create a senior housing community that Bernards Township can be proud of. Jon is a senior himself and plans to reside in the community. Because the units would be available only to those 55 and over rather than sold as market units, this type of housing does not affect the school system.

• What benefits does this development provide to Bernards Township residents who don’t live near the property?

Several. It could provide a credit of potentially 20 units toward affordable housing, meaning 100 fewer market units would need to be built in the future, or even now. Projections show $1 million in excess tax revenue to the township with no impact on the school system. Perhaps most importantly, it would create 2 new special needs houses, with land donated to the township. This represents a potential increase of nearly 40% in supply for special needs families, without the township having to use its own funds to acquire the parcels. If the buildings are demolished and nothing is built, it actually increases the amount of housing the township must plan for in the next affordable housing round.

• What is the current condition of the Lord Stirling School property?

The property has fallen into significant disrepair and has become a source of concern for many neighboring residents. The buildings are dilapidated and vandalized. There have been documented reports of underage drinking, trespassing, graffiti, vandalism, antisemitism, garbage dumping, public urination, and other unsafe conditions. Jon inherited these conditions from previous ownership and has worked with the police and neighbors to improve the situation. Neighbors whose properties back up to the Lord Stirling School have written letters in support of Jon.

• Will the Lord Stirling redevelopment increase traffic in Bernards Township?

No. A traffic study by a licensed engineer was commissioned, and the report found that the new development would generate less traffic than the previous school use.

• Will traffic from the development use Sherwood Drive?

No. All cars will enter and exit through a single entrance at the existing Lord Stirling Road entrance. There will be no connection or access through Sherwood Drive. Between the site’s natural buffering and Jon’s vision for the development, the community will be nearly invisible from the main street and from neighboring residences.

• Is Jon planning a multi-family apartment development at Lord Stirling School?

Despite the property sometimes being described as a ‘multi-family’ development, that label does not reflect Jon’s vision. There is currently no project on the table, only a study of the property’s current conditions. While prior concept plans from previous ownership showed as many as 300 market apartments or 100 stacked townhomes, Jon’s plan is to limit the development to roughly 30 senior units and special needs housing across 12 acres.