The Planning Board voted unanimously to allow a 113‑unit, all‑affordable housing complex to be built on a wooded tract that includes sections of old‑growth forest near Wayne Hills High School and the Pancake Hollow area. The development is slated to provide low‑ and moderate‑income families with rental units, addressing a noted shortage in the region.
Proponents argue the project will alleviate the local affordable‑housing deficit and generate modest tax revenue, while environmental groups have raised concerns about the loss of mature forest habitat and potential impacts on nearby school traffic and safety. The site’s proximity to the high school has sparked debate over student safety, parking, and the character of the neighborhood.
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Town officials said the approval triggers a series of procedural steps, including the issuance of building permits, a state‑required environmental impact assessment, and a public hearing on mitigation measures. Construction is expected to commence once these clearances are secured, with developers targeting a phased rollout of units over the next several years.
