Bernards Township has a long history of being a sleepy rural town. Then, the US built the Lyons VA, and everything changed as the population grew. Then AT&T came to town in the 1970s, and everything AGAIN started to change. Demand for housing increased as people worldwide chose Bernards Township as a place to raise their children.
The concept of cluster housing neighborhoods started in the 1950s in the famed Levittown, NY development, which later led to our area’s infamous “The Hills” development complex. Let’s look at the growth of housing complexes in Bernards Township and how they’ve changed the town’s landscape.
While most of the homes in the complexes are reasonably affordable, they typically do not meet the state standards of what they refer to as “affordable housing.” Under the Coalition on Affordable Housing (COAH) guidelines, The Bernards Township Affordable Housing program is administered through the Central Jersey Housing Resource Center (CJHRC). The Affordable Housing program consists of 224 units in Bernards Township. There are 19 rentals; 9 are low- and 10 are moderate-income, and they are available in one and two bedrooms. For purchase, there are 205 units: 45 low and 160 moderate income; they are available in studio, one, two, and three bedrooms.
The income levels listed are the maximum income levels allowed by COAH. If your household income exceeds the amount listed, you do not qualify for Affordable Housing. These numbers do change each year.
As of March 2025, the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) has not officially released updated income limits since 2014. However, organizations like the Affordable Housing Professionals of New Jersey (AHPNJ) have developed methodologies to calculate updated income limits to guide municipalities and stakeholders.
Township officials are constantly concerned about meeting the state mandate on affordable housing quantities in the township. Over the past three decades, the township has been involved in several lawsuits challenging the legality of COAH but has also complied with just about every mandate when calculated.
| Household Size | Median Income | Moderate Income (up to 80%) | Low Income (up to 50%) | Very Low Income (up to 30%) |
| 1 Person | $90,214 | $72,171 | $45,107 | $27,064 |
| 1.5 Persons | $96,655 | $77,324 | $48,328 | $28,997 |
| 2 Persons | $103,096 | $82,477 | $51,548 | $30,929 |
| 3 Persons | $116,027 | $92,822 | $58,013 | $34,808 |
| 4 Persons | $128,958 | $103,166 | $64,479 | $38,687 |
In the News:
Mountainview at Westgate (Proposed in 2020 & 2025)
MLH starts here as Mountainview is back in the news. The proposal, situated behind the Memorial Sloan Kettering complex just off exit 33 on Route 78, would allow 574 market-rate and affordable family rental units at the vacant Westgate Corporate Center on Martinsville Road. The other would allow Ridge Oak Inc. to add 29 income-restricted units for senior citizens in a neighborhood on Manchester Drive next to the Ridge Oak seniors’ complex that was opened in 1977.
As of March 18, 2025, the Bernards Township Planning Board reviewed the proposed zoning changes associated with the Westgate development. While the board found the changes inconsistent with the township’s Master Plan, it provided recommendations to align the proposal with affordable housing obligations. The final decision rests with the Township Committee, which will consider these recommendations in upcoming meetings.
Township Attorney John Belardo said that while the township has committed to providing 171 affordable homes, the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) could still require a higher number. Belardo said that even if the Westgate and Ridge Oak ordinances are adopted, they “do not constitute an affordable housing plan” because the Planning Board must approve a plan.
In conjunction with a revised affordable housing mandate signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in March 2024, the DCA recommended a township obligation of 218 units last October. The township, citing its estimate of available land, countered on Jan. 28 with a commitment for 171. Under state rules, the township could pay to build the required units or, less expensively, have developers build them as part of a package with market-rate homes.
Edgewood Properties is the proposed developer for the Westgate development in Bernards Township. In August 2022, Edgewood Properties acquired the 250,000-square-foot office building at 477 Martinsville Road, formerly occupied by Everest Reinsurance, with plans to redevelop the site.
2020 Mountainview Summary
On January 21, 2020, the Bernards Planning Board unanimously approved SJP Property’s application to build two adjoining housing developments at the far end of Mountainview Boulevard in the southern part of the township. One section on about 30 acres will feature three residential buildings with 220 units, including 62 units set aside for very low, low, and moderate-income residents. SJP Properties was planning to construct 77 studio and one-bedroom units, 130 two-bedroom units, and 13 three-bedroom units within the three buildings, which would also share a common amenity space with a pool, play areas, and other shared facilities, according to the application.
The applicant, Bernards Plaza Associates, LLC, which the Wilf brothers of Short Hills own, received final site plan approval. Township Attorney John Belardo said the township will receive credit for 106 affordable housing units when the complex is complete. The hearing on the project did not generate any opposition. It drew only one public member who did not pose any questions.
Spencer Road Paves the Way (1950s)
On September 20, 1949, the township committee passed a resolution to approve developer Stewart K. Sutton’s construction of a new 3,200-foot road connecting Oak Street to Lake Road, eliminating two dead-end roads.
At the conclusion of WWII, many veterans wanted to take advantage of the GI Bill and get a piece of the American dream. In Bernards Township, that area became Spencer Road. While not a “typical complex development,” it became known as one of the first neighborhoods built at a rapid scale.
The Hills (1969)
The origins of this community, which is one of the largest planned developments in New Jersey, dates back to 1969 when the descendants of Grant Schley sold Schley Mountain for $2.2 million for the development of what is now known as The Hills Development of Bedminster and Bernards Township (Basking Ridge). Situated on 1,800 acres atop Schley Mountain in the bucolic Watchung Hills, this development encompasses the two townships of Bernards (Basking Ridge) and Bedminster in Somerset County, where Interstates 287 and 78 cross.
In total, The Hills has 4,728 single-family homes spread out over 38 different neighborhoods, varying in style and size from 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom condominiums for just under $200k to 6-bedroom estate-style homes that have sold for well over $2M.
The Basking Ridge community has 16 different neighborhoods with 1,893 homes on 1,280 acres of land. Included within this space are an elementary school (Mount Prospect School), a 260-acre championship golf course, a restaurant, and a daycare center, some of which are part of 50,000 square feet.
Ridge Oak (1977)
Ridge Oak Senior Citizens is a senior low-income housing apartment subsidized by the federal government’s HUD (housing and urban development division). In 1971, six community churches united to form Ridge Oak Senior Housing. Through a Board of Trustees, the township churches now own and operate the Ridge Oak Senior Housing community.
In late 1977, the first Ridge Oak Senior Housing tenants moved into their new homes. Ridge Oak Senior Housing was born out of a community’s concern for its senior citizens. The vision of those first church members is still alive at Ridge Oak Senior Housing. Today, Ridge Oak Senior Housing provides federally subsidized housing and support services to approximately 310 income-eligible people who are the “Ridge Oak Family.”
Airport Property Transforms to Lord Stirling Village
The Bernards Township Planning Board granted preliminary approval on July 14, 1981, to the Lanid (Lanidex) Corporation of Parsippany to develop the 77 acres where the airport stood.
The approved plan called for 150 townhouses priced from $130-150k to be built on the first 25-acre tract. The other 50-acre tract was carved out for single-family homes ranging from $110- $135k. Lanid also constructed the Country Side complex off Mount Airy Road next to the Somerset Hills Cemetery.
Finally, in 1986, a report by the New Jersey General Aviation Study Commission’s Subcommittee on Airport Closings showed the airport’s taxes had risen 500 percent in its last 16 years. By 1983, the airport was not listed as “active” by national flight guides, and the 1986 USGS map listed it.
Society Hill (1984)
The 830-unit development approved by the Bernards Township Planning Board on August 14, 1984, was the first development to comply with the Mount Laurel affordable housing law. The Hovnanian Enterprise development called it Society Hill, offering one-floor and two-story units in five models across the 265-acre tract next to the Bonnie Brae school. Many have a fireplace, vaulted ceiling, and sunroom. There are no garages or basements. Amenities include a pool, tennis court, jungle gym, and easy access to Pleasant Valley Park across the road. The township approved 100 units during the initial phase, known to cover the 12% requirement. It was noted that five residents showed up for the township vote with no objections.
Spring Ridge Housing Complex (1984)
In early 1984, the Spring Ridge complex, with 1,220 units, was the township’s largest complex, created by developer Lawrence Zirinsky of New York City. The first phase had 284 units. None of the first-phase homes supported the Mount Laurel COAH requirements for affordable housing. That would come later.
The 326-acre complex is bordered by over 100 acres of undisturbed open space. Spring Ridge is a community comprised mainly of two and three-bedroom condos, but there are a handful of duplexes and single-family homes. The condo buildings are typically three stories – ground, first, and second-floor units. The ground floor units are the one-bedroom models and don’t usually feature basement storage. The second-floor units often feature cathedral ceilings and sometimes have skylights. There are at least nine different models:
- The Ardsley (one bedroom, one bath)
- The Baxter (one large bedroom, one bath)
- The Chesterfield (one bedroom, a den, and one bath; some have garage and/or basement)
- The Drexel I and the Drexel II (two-floor plans, both featuring two bedrooms and one bath)
- The Essex I and the Essex II (two-floor plans, both featuring two bedrooms and two baths)
- The Fairfax (two bedrooms, a den and two baths)
- The Greenbriar (1/2 duplex with three bedrooms including a first-floor master, attached garage, and a basement)
- The Hamilton (1/2 duplex with three bedrooms including a first-floor master, attached garage, and a basement)
- Single-family homes (Three bedrooms, two and a half baths, one car garage, and basements – very similar to the 1/2 duplexes, but they are detached, fee simple homes).
The Cedars Complex (1983)
The Cedars began as a 100-unit complex to bring Bernards Township in compliance with the state’s Mount Laurel affordable housing obligations (COAH). The Cedars in Basking Ridge is a community of around 500 units in duplexes, townhomes, condominiums, and low to moderate-income housing. The Cedars are one of the only developments in Basking Ridge where the units offer a garage and a basement (many are finished). The community features a pool, tennis courts, playgrounds, a clubhouse, and jogging paths. Students attend the Liberty Corner elementary school and are eligible for courtesy busing—affordable housing units – Studio apartments, 1 BR, 2 BR, 3 BR.
The Barons (1983)
The Barons is a multi-phase development that opened with four model homes in 1983. It is a sought-after community in Basking Ridge. The Barons offers two-story homes and ranch-style units, all with basements and some walkouts. All units have a spacious and private home feel.
The end unit ranches have two-car garages. Some units have closed in their porches. Residents enjoy the pool, walking, and jogging: paths, clubhouse, and tennis courts. The Barons is accessed via South Maple Avenue, near the Lyons Mall, bus and train service, and highways 287 and 78. There are currently 132 townhome-style units in the complex.
Valley Brook Village – VA Hospital Grounds (2013)
Valley Brook Village is a first-of-its-kind VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) community for homeless veterans on the Lyons Campus of the Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System in Lyons, New Jersey. Residential common spaces form a village-style community on 16+ acres and feature sixty-two furnished, one and two-bedroom apartment homes with shared community space, ample program space, landscaped walkways, and shared outdoor spaces. Highlights include access to an on-site state-of-the-art learning center and a vocational training space under the employment training specialist’s programming.
Phase II of Valley Brook Village includes the development of a new three-story building consisting of 50 one-bedroom apartments, which will be situated around a common green to complement the existing village-style community. The development, which development partner Windover Construction Inc. is building, will provide permanent housing for homeless and at-risk Veterans of all ages and branches of the military. In addition, Community Hope will provide an array of supportive services and amenities designed to assist veterans in meeting their personal and career goals under the coordination of Peabody Resident Services, Inc.
The Enclave at Dewy Meadows (2019)
Those who remember the Dewy Meadows Farm chicken pot pie and the A&P now have a new housing development as the property’s next historic chapter. The proposed Dewy Meadow project entails building 198 units in two buildings at 403 King George Road in the township. With one-, two- and three-bedroom units, the development grew from an affordable housing settlement between the township and the developer, including 30 income-restricted housing units. All 198 units are rentals. Rents have not been established. Building “A” to the north would have 108 apartments, including 12 that would be income-restricted. It would also have a clubhouse, community, leasing center, and an outdoor pool to the rear. Building “B” to the south would have 90 apartments, of which 18 would be income-restricted.
Millington Quarry (2023 – Currently on Hold)
MQI has long been owned by township resident Gary Mahan and his brother, Roger Mahan, whose family acquired the quarry property in 1978. The land was recently sold for $17.45 Million to CIP Stonehouse Redeveloper, LLC.
The 179-acre Millington Quarry off Stonehouse Road has been targeted as a mixed community with affordable housing to be built on what is now a former active quarry. It has been engaged in controversy for years since contaminants were found in the soil that was put there as fill over the last decade. The proposed development launched the “Stop the Quarry Plan,” where township residents voiced their opposition to the effort.
Following the March 2019 meeting, Michael Lavigne, an attorney representing Millington Quarry, said there would be “no furtherance of a development plan” by the subdivision of the quarry property. He added that the quarry had a potential buyer for the entire property then. But the deal eventually fell through.
In July 2023, it was announced that the Millington Quarry site had again been sold. The township’s largest available tract was sold to CIP Stonehouse Redeveloper, LLC. David Placek was a partner in Community Investment Partners (CIP), which proposed a redevelopment plan for the quarry that was rejected by the Township Committee five years ago (above). Zoned for two-acre housing, the site has a conceptual plan that calls for it to ultimately feature a 33-acre lake with 40 to 50 homes to be built to the south. The contamination $3.5m bonds remain in full force and effect as the rehabilitation is not complete and will remain so until the new owners post an equivalent amount of security.
Do you Remember?
Remember growing up and seeing these developments launch? Tell your tale…
Related Local History
Your post on affordable housing development in Basking Ridge is very informative and eye-opening. But I don’t see any mention of the Dewey Meadow Village Development which is currently under construction.
That’s true. We added Dewey Meadow and also the recent Quarry fight.
How do we find out who to contact to get on a list for an apartment?
Sorry, don’t have that research.