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City officials voted Wednesday to designate The Michaels Organization as one of the master redevelopers of the Springwood Avenue Redevelopment Area.

The vote passed 4-1. Mayor Myra Campbell, Deputy Mayor Sue Henderson, Councilman John Loffredo and Councilwoman Amy Quinn voted yes. Councilman John Moor provided the dissenting vote.

The Michaels Organization is a Marlton-based company that specializes in affordable, mixed-financed housing.

In addition to their designation as one of the master developers of the Springwood Avenue redevelopment zone, the group’s first project slated for the area was given approval as a project that will satisfy an existing housing need in the city and will therefore be eligible to apply for project funding through the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency [HMFA].

The two separate votes on approvals passed 4-1.  Councilman Moor again provided the only dissenting vote to both.

The project, called Renaissance Village, will bring a mix of 64 residential townhouse and multi-family units within three buildings on vacant lots within the Springwood Avenue Redevelopment Area, between Memorial Drive and Atkins Avenue.

Moor, who provided one of six votes against proposed Springwood Avenue plan amendments requested by the The Michaels Organization at the planning board level, does not think the proposed parking plan for the site will meet the needs of residents.

A total of 77 parking spaces are proposed for 64 one, two, and three bedroom units. Board members expressed concern that future parking needs in the area would not be met, and specifically, that residents of one of the buildings would have to walk more than 200 feet to get to utilize a parking space in a lot near one of the other buildings.

In addition, Moor feels the city is being forced into an in lieu of taxes agreement for the project that he says will not see any monies allocated to city services, and believes the developer should be shouldering more of the financial burden for project construction.

The Michaels Organization is seeking federal grant money to fund construction costs. All site plans and redevelopment agreements must be finalized prior to an October application deadline in order to be eligible for the grant funds.

“If they don’t get the money, the deal doesn’t go through and nothing gets built,” he told the Sun after the meeting.

During the public session, city council hopeful Duanne Small said there is a need for more housing for families on the West Side of the city, and with 39 of the 64 units built as one-bedrooms, the project “does not speak to family.”

Councilman Loffredo said the project is meant to cater to low income singles and couples

The Michaels Organization must appear again in front of the city’s planning board to gain a parking variance and site plan approvals.

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