Council advances Cedar Meadows redevelopment with Soldier On veterans housing included

The Woodbridge Township Council on March 6 moved to adopt an amended plan for the Cedar Meadows redevelopment that council members said will include transitional housing for veterans through Soldier On, a private nonprofit that provides supportive housing.

During discussion, a council member asked colleagues for consideration and support, saying Soldier On had indicated that “if you build this, if you allow us to build this, we will come.” The transcript records public questions asking how many homes would be provided, who will build and pay for the project, and whether the property has been cleared for redevelopment. A township speaker replied that engineering and environmental tests (for example, compaction tests and Phase 1 engineering) will be performed prior to construction and that the property had been cleared when it was converted to a soccer field, but that specific building specifications and the developer’s identity had not been finalized.

Public commenters raised additional questions about contamination testing and long-term use. John Vartari asked “who’s gonna build it? Who’s gonna pay for it?” and Tom Morris/Maris asked whether the site had been cleared by state environmental authorities. Township staff acknowledged that further information would be supplied as planning and engineering work proceeds.

Council opened the public hearing on the item, received comments, closed the hearing and voted to adopt the amended plan. The ordinance was adopted and, as required by law, was to be submitted to the mayor for approval.

What remains unspecified in the public record at this meeting: the exact number of units the project will provide, the identity of the developer and detailed environmental reports; council members said those details will be addressed during the engineering and permitting process.