Protect Historic Roebling – Choose a Better Site for Proposed Housing Development

To the Florence Township Council and Planning Board:

We, the undersigned, respectfully urge Florence Township to reconsider the proposed 54 unit low-income housing development site in historic Roebling (at the former VFW and part of Trinity UMC's property). See https://www.florence-nj.gov/departments/clerk/ordi... and https://www.florence-nj.gov/departments/clerk/reso... (2025-248). We support affordable housing, but placing it in this already congested and historically significant area raises the following concerns:

• Traffic Overload: Roebling is the most densely populated area in the township. Additional housing will worsen congestion and impact pedestrian safety.
• Loss of Greenspace and Character: The plan removes riverside forest and takes land from Trinity United Methodist Church via eminent domain—threatening both the environment and Roebling’s Character and heritage.
• Property Value Risk: The introduction of high-density development in this area may lead to reduced property values and homeowner strain.

We propose these alternatives:

• Requiring all new developments township-wide to include 10% low-income housing.
• Evaluating less dense, less historic, and more suitable sites that do not involve eminent domain.

We ask the township to:

Pause the project and reassess alternatives through transparent studies that consider environmental, economic, and community impact.

Let’s support affordable housing without sacrificing the history, ecology, and livability of Roebling.

Organizer: Holly Carley

Contact: saveRoebling@gmail.com