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BORO . growth

Talk of merger with Cherry Hill roils Merchantville

The results of the study could be surprising. Ernest Reock, professor emeritus at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers, says that while most believe fewer layers of government mean lower taxes, it does not necessarily work out that way. read more

Will NJ follow the lead on pods for granny

Everyone has concerns about what to do with aging family members and Rev. Kenneth Dupin, of Salem, Virginia, has invented a solution. The controversial new dwelling is called a Medcottage, a nursing home-like mobile facility that families can place in their backyard as a place to care for the elderly. The 284-square-foot units are able to connect to a home's electricity and water supplies and can can be placed on your property wherever there is space. Other features include hazardous waste disposal, pathogen detection systems and devices that check your loved one's vital signs with the potential for other monitoring systems including a webcam. In today's economy, when the median rate for a private room in a nursing home is $206 per day ($6,180 per month), the MEDCottage is estimated to be available for $1,500 to $2,000 per month, saving residents that don't need 24-hour care approximately $50,000-70,000 per year.

In a major victory Dupin and his team persuaded the Virginia General Assembly to pass legislation changing local zoning laws (HB-1307: Temporary Family Health Structures) to permit families to install buildings such as the Medcottage on their property with a doctor’s order. The structures must be less than 300 square feet and conform to local regulations governing sheds or garages, and have to be removed within 30 days after the occupant no longer resides there.

Critics argue that MEDCottages violate zoning ordinances and reduce property values and structures like these may run into staunch resistance from suburban neighbors who object to unsightly mini-apartments being erected in their communities. But Dupin has the legislature and the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination against necessary provisions for disabled individuals, on his side.

Merchantville doubly DOOMED and DAMNED by its own Demographics

A community merger ideally includes two relatively akin communities. This is especially true in this case where the most popularly recognized reason Merchantville residents want to merge with Cherry Hill is to improve the educational opportunities for their offspring. Superficially, their position makes sense. For example, Merchantville (according to the 2000 census) is 85.9% Caucasian. http://bit.ly/r2h9s1

A Merchantville-Cherry Hill Merger

On the surface, this sounds like a good idea. Merchantville sees advantage in it especially with regard to the school district. If Cherry Hill is receptive and finds its own benefit, then it’s a win-win situation. I saw in an article that the cost to study this proposal would be $100,000. http://bit.ly/qeAWv9

DRPA awards monies for West Maple area

Mayor Frank North received $60,000 in grant monies from The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission yesterday for a joint project with Pennsauken which is expected to rejuvenate the West Maple neighborhood. North said that officials would begin work on the joint project within weeks. DVRPC Executive Director Barry Seymour sited the challenges faced by many of the older cities and boroughs across our region in his remarks.

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