Four Ponds (Avaya) Redevelopment Proposal.  The Middletown Planning Board began hearing the application for the Four Ponds Redevelopment, that is proposed for the current Avaya office building site on Middletown-Lincroft Road, on May 4, 2011.  The Four Ponds Development Proposal has completed its presentation to the Planning Board.  Cross examination will begin by the opposition's lawyer, Ron Gasiorowski on Wednesday, February 1st, at 6:30 PM at the Middletown Town Hall on Kings Highway, Middletown. Click here to see a detailed site plan. The plan proposes to build 342 units (270 townhouses and 72 apartments with 68 of the apartments being COAH affordable housing rental apartments.) This represents an approximate 16% increase in the number of households in Lincroft Village.

The LVGA has been steadfast in its support of the efforts of SONIC (Save Our Neighborhood’s Integrity and Character) to oppose this development as proposed. Some highlights of the past year’s activities with regard to Four Ponds include:
• Awareness of the development was raised throughout the spring, by handing out flyers and placing “NO 342 Units” signs throughout Lincroft.
• Colonial Nursery supported SONIC’s fundraising efforts by donating a percentage of profits from a fundraiser, $1,296.05, toward the Avaya Fund.
• With donations from residents, SONIC hired an attorney and experts to prepare their legal case against the application.
• SONIC’s fundraising efforts continue as this proposal is still under consideration. The Bamm Hollow Litigation Settlement Agreement along with potential changes to COAH further complicate the potential ramifications of this development plan. We will remain vigilant and focused as these critical land use decisions are made.

Read the LVGA Position Statement on the Four Ponds Redevelopment Proposal here. 
Read a statement by Middletown Administrator, Anthony Mercantane, regarding Avaya and COAH here.  
Voice your concerns at the next Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Februray 1st at 6:30PM at Town Hall 
See below for a map of how the Four Ponds Redevelopment would fit into a map of Lincroft.
Click here for the site map of the plans.
The following articles have appeared in the press regarding the Avaya property:

May 4, 2009  Asbury Park Press:  "Middletown hears controversial housing plan"
July 30, 2009 The Independent:  "Residents protest Avaya rezoning"
May 12, 2011  The Independent:  "Proposal for Avaya site draws wide oposition."
May 12, 2011  The Independent:  "Mid'town BOE reorganizes"
March 10, 2011 Red Bank Green: "Lincroft Housing Plan Rattles Neighbors"
May 4, 2011 Red Bank Green:  "Controversial Avaya Hearing Tonight"
May 5, 2011  Red Bank Green:  "More Hearings Expected on Avaya Plan"
May 6, 2011  Raritan Journal:  "Lincroft Redevelopment Plan Draws Concern"
July 7, 2011 Middletown Patch "Yield:  Traffic Impact Testimony Given on Four Ponds Proposal for Avaya Site"
July 7, 2011 Red Bank Green:  "Study: Avaya traffic won't be that bad"
August 10, 2011  The Independent:  "Planners continue hearing Four Ponds application"
December 15, 2011  The Independent:  "Planners continue hearing Four Ponds application"
January 12, 2012  The Independent:  "Planning Board balks at Four Ponds' density"

Donations are being accepted to hire a qualified attorney, a professional planner and a traffic engineer in an organized effort to oppose this development.  If you would like to donate, you can donate through Paypal, using the button below, or send a check (made out to LVGA Special Fund with 'AVAYA Special Fund' written in the memo section).  Mail the check to LVGA Special Fund, P.O. Box 101, Lincroft, NJ  07738.  A flyer that is being distributed can be downloaded here. 

LVGA membership & Avaya Fund Donation

Level 1 Donation $25.00 Level 2 Donation $50.00 Level 3 Donation $100.00 Level 4 Donation $250.00 Level 5 Donation $500.00 Level 6 Donation $1,000.00

Middletown Affordable Housing proposal: Please see the summary of the November 2010 Annual Membership Meeting where Middletown Township Administrator, Tony Mercantante, and Middletown Township Planner, Jason Greenspan, spoke on this topic. Summary is here. History:  On July 20, 2009 the Township Committee passed an Ordinance #2009-2979 (Section 3, read here) that changes the Master Plan to rezone the Avaya property for multi-family dwellings, paving the way for a large development of townhouses (most likely) with 20% of them being Affordable Housing. (Read Asbury Press article here.) The Planning Board had held a Special Meeting on Wednesday, July 15th, at which they adopted a July 2009 Reexamination Report and Amended Master Plan Land Use Element. The Amended Master Plan is on the Township's website and can be viewed at here. The Planning Board also passed a Resolution, recommending the adoption of Ordinance #2009-2979. In April of 2010 the state approved Middletown's Affordable Housing proposal which was passed by the Township Committe on Dec. 11, 2008. That proposal can be read here and included 375 units to be built at the 68 acre Avaya location on Middletown-Lincroft Rd with 75 designated as 'affordable' rentals. Read a statement by Middletown Administrator, Anthony Mercantante, regarding Avaya and COAH here.