Planning board approves 196‑unit Thrive at Montgomery senior community with conditions

The Montgomery Township Planning Board approved PB‑02, the proposed “Thrive at Montgomery” senior living community at 22 Scarborough Road, following testimony from the applicant and municipal professionals.

Jerome Vogel, attorney for the applicant, presented the redevelopment agreement and asked that it be entered into the record. David Weiner, managing member of GTP Acquisitions, described the program as independent living, assisted living and memory care and said the project will include deed‑restricted Medicaid‑eligible beds to satisfy redevelopment plan requirements. “We had agreed to, provide the purchase of an ambulance,” Vogel said when summarizing redevelopment terms, and Weiner confirmed the facility will contract privately with an ambulance provider and call 911 if a commercial ambulance is unavailable.

Municipal staff and consultants reviewed technical reports and recommended conditions. Michael Sullivan, the municipal planner, said his July 6 report contained several technical items that the applicant agreed to address; he also noted a walking trail is required by the redevelopment agreement and is not a discretionary board item. Board members sought assurances that remaining engineering, landscaping and lighting items would be resolved in resolution compliance; Sewald testified the outstanding items are technical and administrative.

Before the vote, the applicant agreed to additional buffering and screening around loading areas and utility meters. Chair called for a motion to approve the minor subdivision and preliminary and final major site plan; the motion was made and seconded and the board carried the application. The approval is conditioned on the applicant addressing the outstanding comments in staff and consultant memos and complying with the redevelopment agreement and the plans as revised.

The board set future compliance and final technical items to be resolved in resolution compliance; no public speakers opposed the application during the meeting.