By Barbara A. Preston | Posted June 1, 2023
A new senior living community is coming to the Skillman section of Montgomery, despite the objection of neighbors.
The Montgomery Township Planning Board gave final approval to the 91-unit development at its May 8 meeting. Six planning board members voted yes, and two (Mayor Devra Keenan and Patricia Todd) voted no.
The senior living community, to be called Arbor Terrace Montgomery, will be built on a 4.4-acre property at Hartwick and Village drives. It is located within the Montgomery Crossing development, and has a projected opening date of late 2025.
The Arbor Company is an Atlanta-based operator of 45 independent living, assisted living, and dementia care communities, serving seniors in 11 states.
Neighbors’ concerns included: Not enough parking spots — only 42 spaces are proposed. Increased traffic, pedestrian safety, and ambulance sirens at all hours of the day and night were also vocalized by neighbors.
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In the past few years, the Route 518/206 section of Skillman has added five new communities: A hundred affordable apartment units; 107 luxury rowhomes; 89 single family houses; and hundreds of condominiums are coming soon. Also, a shopping center with a Whole Foods is approved for the area, and single family homes.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Planning Board Chairman Dave Campeas said his “one true concern about this [new facility], to be honest, is how much the Montgomery EMS is going to be taxed.”
The developer, Braemar Partners, had said it would provide information to the board on the private ambulance company it intends to hire.
“I’ve got to be honest,” Compeas said, “This contract you guys provided from Able Medical Transportation is 48 pages short of a contract.”
The board members suggested that Montgomery Township Committee pass an ordinance to regulate the private ambulance provider. ■
