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: [email protected]
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
August 4, 2025
Reached 100 supporters
July 29, 2025
85 Comments
Traffic and access in and out of time is horrendous and dangerous! More traffic in the school zone area is dangerous to our children. Taking away more green space by building these units is damaging the charm and character of our town!
There needs to be memories and green space. The monstrosity on Hornberger is bad enough (and was almost scrapped by litigation), Roebling's appeal is it's small town charm.
My grandfather built that VFW. He was the first president. I do not want to see it ripped down for low income housing. They are correct in saying that that would make it too congested in that area. I went to holy assumption, school and church. I don’t want to see a massive development there.
This area is already congested with school traffic and no where to park and will create more infrastructure issues. I.e, utilities that will cause an increase in costs on the backs of taxpayers. Because deals are always made, there is never any benefit to the residents impacted.
The additional burden to the two schools on Hornberger and traffic congestion at the beginnng and end of the school day would be dangerous. Furthermore, does not the Freedom Village account for Roebling’s contribution?
Why doesnt the Twp repurpose the VFW as as Senior activity Center instead. Don’t delete the history , embrace it!
Stop corporate and government take over
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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: [email protected]
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
August 4, 2025
Reached 100 supporters
July 29, 2025
85 Comments
This is my church! It has been the site of many an Easter egg hunt for hundreds of children who don't even attend this church. This church has done a lot for the community (food pantry, etc.) and doesn't deserve to be hit with the theft of our property. It's difficult enough for a church to survive these days.
Traffic and access in and out of time is horrendous and dangerous! More traffic in the school zone area is dangerous to our children. Taking away more green space by building these units is damaging the charm and character of our town!
There needs to be memories and green space. The monstrosity on Hornberger is bad enough (and was almost scrapped by litigation), Roebling's appeal is it's small town charm.
My grandfather built that VFW. He was the first president. I do not want to see it ripped down for low income housing. They are correct in saying that that would make it too congested in that area. I went to holy assumption, school and church. I don’t want to see a massive development there.
This area is already congested with school traffic and no where to park and will create more infrastructure issues. I.e, utilities that will cause an increase in costs on the backs of taxpayers. Because deals are always made, there is never any benefit to the residents impacted.
The additional burden to the two schools on Hornberger and traffic congestion at the beginnng and end of the school day would be dangerous. Furthermore, does not the Freedom Village account for Roebling’s contribution?
Why doesnt the Twp repurpose the VFW as as Senior activity Center instead. Don’t delete the history , embrace it!
Stop corporate and government take over
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This is my church! It has been the site of many an Easter egg hunt for hundreds of children who don't even attend this church. This church has done a lot for the community (food pantry, etc.) and doesn't deserve to be hit with the theft of our property. It's difficult enough for a church to survive these days.