Where are Medford’s new redevelopment projects?

Medford Township is in the middle of redevelopment updates. 

Last month, the township council approved four redevelopment projects that will bring new affordable housing units to town. The decision to move forward with these projects are part of the Fourth Round affordable housing obligations the town is required to follow under the New Jersey Fair Housing Act and the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan. 

After completion, the plan will bring a total of 1,067 new residential units to Medford, with 226 of them being affordable housing.

The four properties where the redevelopments will take place were decided upon by the township. The projects are located at the Reserve at Ironbridge, Landing at Kirby’s Mill, Trollinger-Stonebridge and Flying W. 

The municipality is obligated to adhere to state-mandated affordable housing requirements determined every 10 years. This state law is intended to ensure municipalities can provide enough affordable housing for residents who will benefit from paying rent that does not cost more than 30% of their annual income. 

Medford Township and its developers, D.R. Horton, plan to build the affordable units within the same premises as the standard units. Despite some units costing less, the township “tries very hard to insure that these homes don’t look any different than other homes in town,” according to the township’s official affordable housing page on the website. 

The plan has been a hot topic of discussion across town. Many residents have expressed concern or negativity about the plan on social media and at council meetings. 

One common concern is the amount of land the new residencies will take up. Residents in Medford – and in many other nearby South Jersey towns – tend to value open land and space near their homes and in their communities. The new housing units will take up an estimated 400 acres of land across town. 

There also is concern with what developments and how much space they take up may come later down the line. 

“There’s been no planned housing developments in Medford outside of the required affordable housing numbers,” Mayor Mike Czyzyk said at the Township council meeting on July 7. “Medford has had a history of not building residential unless it’s required by the state. So as it stands today, there are no large- or small-scale residential tracks being developed. There may be parcels being developed for residential use, like on Mill Street and different areas, but there’s no communities coming to Medford outside of the ones required to be built to satisfy our affordable housing.”

Additionally, there are concerns regarding existing property. 

The fourth project in the redevelopment plan is called Flying W, after the Flying W Airport & Resort. The establishment – which has been an iconic landmark in the area – was built in the 1960s. 

The resort has continued to operate as an airport, resort and restaurant, regularly serving travelers and locals alike. According to other local reports, once the township’s final site plans are approved, the property is expected to shutter and be replaced with 282 total residential units, including 90 affordable units across 114 acres of land on Festertown Road.  

The first project is Reserve at Ironbridge. It will be developed on the intersection of Church and Eayrestown roads, taking up 64.17 acres. This project will create 287 total residential units, including 48 affordable units. 

The second project is Landings at Kirby’s Mill. It will be developed nearby on the corner of Church and Fostertown roads and take up 61.55 acres of land. It is set to have a total of 198 residential units, with 40 of them being affordable units. 

The third project is Trollinger-Stonebridge. It will be developed at the intersection Medford-Mt. Holly and Church roads, taking up 164 acres of land. This is planned to be the largest of the four projects, as it will create up to 300 total residential units, including 48 affordable units. 

It is expected that the Fourth Round affordable housing obligations were discussed in the August 11 council meeting, which took place after this story was sent to press. Any updates regarding the redevelopment plan in the meeting will be later reviewed and considered for future reports.