To the Editor:
I’m writing in response to your recent articles on MercerMe—which sheds light on the Township’s adoption of its Round 4 Housing Element and Fair Share Plan and new developments along Bull Run Road.
While I appreciate the Township’s efforts to reduce its affordable housing obligation by approximately 27% (from 543 to 399 units), significant concerns remain, especially regarding the proposed Flower Hill Terrace / Bull Run corridor. Reports indicate there will be 54 general affordable units, 42 age-restricted units, and a 15‑unit assisted living facility consisting of 200 beds developed on land south of I‑295, adjacent to Flower Hill Terrace and TCNJ property. This massive, proposed development would destroy the last forested area of Hopewell’s southern tier. It would also negatively impact our beloved Camelot School. This early childhood center tucked quietly within the Flower Hill neighborhood—a peaceful, tree-lined area that feels worlds away from the traffic and noise just beyond it. Surrounded by nature, the school offers a safe, nurturing, and secluded environment where young children can learn, play, and grow. It’s quiet setting has long been a haven for families who value a gentle start to education in a calm, natural space.
Residents in the southern tier of Hopewell Township, below the circle on Route 31, are already experiencing worsening traffic congestion, frequent stormwater flooding, and aging infrastructure. The nearby Woodmont Forge apartment complex consisting of 300 units, of which 48 are “affordable”, already demonstrates this — the added traffic has created significant congestion, without the relief of a promised traffic light or proposed roundabout. Bull Run Road itself is a narrow, antiquated road, that cannot safely support construction vehicles or increased daily commuter traffic. And we are experiencing traffic bottlenecks along Route 31 and surrounding roads due to multiple planned and ongoing housing developments that are still not completed or just starting. These issues are pushing property taxes upward—not from increased services, but from new burdens on schools, roads, and stormwater systems. Compounding the problem is the PILOT program used to fund these projects, which does not fully contribute to school taxes, shifting the financial burden onto long-time residents.
There is no doubt that affordable housing is both needed and legally required—but when it is concentrated in one area without adequate infrastructure planning or taxes that reflect the true cost of development, it becomes unfair to the community. The lack of transparency around total unit counts, the environmental sensitivity of wetlands and slopes in this corridor, and the cumulative impact of new construction are risks that cannot be ignored.
I urge MercerMeto continue its critical coverage of:
- how the developments near Flower Hill Terrace might overload traffic and drainage systems;
- the implications of an underfunded PILOT agreement on the Hopewell Valley Regional School District;
- the growing disparity between where new development is placed and the lack of broader planning across the Township—particularly in the south (below the circle on Route 31).
Thank you for providing a platform for local voices and for your timely coverage. I hope your readers will hold Township leaders accountable for ensuring that affordable housing is delivered responsibly, without sacrificing the rural character, environmental health, and fiscal balance of Hopewell Township.
Sincerely,
Deborah Miliaresis
