Bilby Road Construction
Can anyone tell me if the new structures are apartments or condominiums on Bilby Road ?
Thank you
Curious 
dssI drove by there yesterday and was stunned at the size of that complex and how quickly it erupted. I was in that area around August 2nd, and it was barely anything.
Lonesome Dove The half of Bilby Road closest to Rte. 517 used to be a dirt path, back when we bought our townhome when Oak Hill was just being built. We had to get there by taking what is now Old Bilby Road. At the time, Oak Hill was only on the south side of Bilby Rd.
Reggie Voter 
Donaldson The sign is for the medical building that sits back about 200 yards or so, behind that apartment complex. It's been there for many years.
I was told by one of the nurses from one of the doctor's office's that there are 540 units with 500 parking spots. There is not even one spot per unit. What are these people going to do?
Parental Unit More apartments means more people means more traffic. The traffic has become ridiculous, it feels to me like the number of cars on our roads has doubled with the new townhouses on Stiger St.
This complex on Bilby is massive. Our roads are going to be gridlocked and our schools are going to be over burdened
Pamela Reading these latest posts on this particular project surely indicates very few if any folks posting truly understand how a process like this evolves from the introduction of a project all the way through a final version of a project and subsequent approval for building as it relates to our Land Use Board and the the Municipal Land Use Law here in NJ. Traffic has not and will not double. The schools will not be over burdened and the town will not experience perpetual gridlock. All of these items and scores of other elements are looked at and studied. All sorts of proven formulas are applied to a variety of aspects. This includes any larger projects like this one and even smaller housing projects. They are not just winging it.
As I have mentioned once or twice (a million times) the true and accurate facts regarding any project or building project in Hackettstown can always be obtained by attending a LUB meeting, asking questions and or adding valuable input to any project that is before them. It's not a secret club that only a few can get access to I promise. LOL. Everyone is invited and can be heard.
The next LUB meeting is Tuesday the 24th 7:00PM Hackettstown Municipal building 215 Stiger Street.
Greg The school system has already said it is overburdened. Having to use trailers for classrooms seems like we've outgrown the current system.
The schools impact has been put out in many previous posts including a ton of misinformation. There is growth that has been dealt with, and the high school in particular is far more about sending districts than Hackettstown itself.
That said how can any apartments not even done yet be some ridiculous traffic jam?? That's almost as if someone moved away and isn't even in town any more to know what's going on.
Greg - But some folks started doing that and counted on others to not know when they looked around and didn't see anyone else there. Sometimes it's just not about what it's really about. But you knew that...
GC Surely that big of a development including the new apartment building by quick check on 517 will have some effect. They can provide all the information from their formulas and statistics and fancy traffic studies, but you can’t tell us those developments won’t impact this area. All the traffic lights have been terrible for the longest time and any additional cars will just compound these issues. This town and the surrounding area are much busier than they ever used to be. And I’m sure it won’t help our taxes go down. It would be nice to see some average priced single family home developments go in but all that seems to go up are apartments, townhomes or warehouses.
There is a proposal before Washington Twp (Morris) on Newburgh Rd for development of townhouses/condos. I think it is for the open area next to the Astrodyne company.
Town Gal is correct, it's the cumulative effect of all the construction.
OnTheEdge More to the cumulative effect point, I question whether (either) Hackettstown considered the woodmont development (or Independence considered the Bilby Towers project) in making their approvals. It seems like it would be really easy for either town to ignore the other project. (I'm all fairness, one of them had to be proposed/approved first, and I don't recall which that was.).
As someone that lives in Oak Hill, I can't help but be left with the feeling both towns gave the green light since each project was on the outskirts of the respective towns and "the other guys" can deal with the traffic, etc. (Kind of like H'town screwing us over with that grow facility and the "air scrubbers" so we won't smell anything.)
Jnnjr While I agree with Greg that the traffic was studied to ensure we won’t have perpetual gridlock, there is, without question, more traffic by the quickcheck on 517 in the morning/evening rush hours. A lot more. I’m not waiting at lights for 30 minutes or anything, but there is certainly more traffic.
At what point does the LUB stop taking proposals from giant apartment builders and just say “sorry, we’re full”? Does every tree and sapling need to be paved over? Does classroom capacity need to be at its limit? Does traffic need to be so bad that we need to leave 30 minutes early to get to work? What’s in it for Hackettstown/independence? How does this make our lives better?
Saying an increase in population won’t affect traffic is absurd. I remember what the roads were like when I moved here 40 years ago.
“I was told by one of the nurses from one of the doctor's office's that there are 540 units with 500 parking spots.“
Yea that’s not accurate information. There are 375 units and there are # of spaces per bedroom requirements the developer has to meet. Probably best to get information at meetings rather than someone who works nearby the site
Jim L Exactly! I don't care what Greg says, or any studies done, traffic is going to be increased! I was at the medical center on Bilby yesterday, that apartment complex is massive! there are at least 5 huge 4 story buildings, maybe more. If you figure 2 cars per unit, it definitely is going to impact traffic, especially on Bilby. Also, the town should have made them put in a separate construction entrance, trying to get in and out of the medical center is a pain in the ass right now!
Free James Titus Let's see
120 new units in Independence + 375 new units in hackettstown...on Billy rd
Why that's 495 new apartments
Jim L owes somebody an apology
Why? I didn’t vote for either project. Hackettstown one was originally approved in 2013. Before my time on any board. And I don’t get a vote for independence projects
You better hope all those cars go toward Route 80 or you'll never past the light at 5 Corners....
TJS Independence Township is notorious fo approving projects on or near the Hackettstown border, but approves nothing in the center of Great Meadows! Towpath, the 2 developments on Bilby and the very poorly designed Quick Chek on 517 are examples! That Quick Chek is so tight you have to drive with your head on a swivel when you pull in there!
The problem is Indy builds right against our border to tap into water line instead of in the middle of their town where there is plenty of land. Same with Mansfield.
Don't forget Long Valley doing the same thing.
Also, research Highlands Deveopment zones and Highlands preservation zones.
It's not "Indy" or Mansfield doing the building, it's developers. And I believe that any new development is required to either hook up with an established Municipal water/sewage system or build one to handle that development. A pricey investment for the developer, which has basically been the end of a few attempts here in Independence. I thought HMUA had said no more could hook up to their system years ago, so I'm not sure how those Bilby Road projects got approved. I would also point out that any growth in this tri-county area channels most traffic & kids through Hackettstown streets & high school system.
I agree with Jake that there should have been regional planning with all these neighboring communities many years ago.
I attended Planning Board meetings for some of the proposals in Independence many years ago (1980's). Every single one of them had "experts" that assured us that traffic & kids would be minimal & not be a big deal. No one ever addressed the fact of the combined effect of all these new houses & apartments. I thought it was short-sighted, but the municipality's hands were tied because of lawyers & lawsuits.
So here we are. Exactly where many of us predicted and "experts" assured us wouldn't happen.
Be careful driving to the Medical center through that construction. Nails. Check your tires when you get home. Picked up 3 in the parking lot.
Auntiel Ryan homes off of Stiger Street...I'm sure some palms were greased. It was zoned as light industrial and the original buildings, which could have been saved, were caused to fall into disrepair prior to being demolished. It's very sad what people will do for money. Today's condos, tomorrow's slums.
Melba I live in the Countryside section of town. The traffic running past my home has just about doubled in the past 2 years. It takes 20 minutes to get through town. I've lived here 30 years and I hate all this development being done without a thought to increased traffic and overcrowded schools. The developers are not going to live here so they do NOT care, at the end of the day they go home to their mansions with pockets full of cash.
You are exactly right, Pamela! I live not far from you and I shudder to think how the neighborhood will change once all of the people off of Stiger Street move in.
Just went by there today. First time is months, it looks like hell. I can't believe this was allowed. If it is high end, I can see it now, they will be complaining about the trains, the mosquitos from the swampy area there and the traffic will be horrendous. Instead of something that will be tax friendly like a business or Professional area, lets bring in People. 5 corners light is going to be a bear.
Mr 4Paws Speaking to a MIL local realtor acquaintance, many of the new units on Stiger Street are being purchased by folks from North Jersey, Bergen County and the Bronx. Sadly, some believe they are moving to the country. Unfamiliar with the area, they add to the traffic chaos. Soon there will be not one parcel of land left in this town to build on and we we all be living with gridlock.
I saw the listing on Zillow for the Stiger Street units. One of the "perks" shown was a picture of the train station, so it seems that they are using local rail transportation as a selling point. I'm not a train rider, but I've read enough to know that the train doesn't run on weekends and it doesn't go all the way into the city (I think). I wouldn't call it a convenient means if transportation for a daily commute, but I suppose it's better than the highways.
Also, the price on those units is ridiculous considering what you get and the "beautiful" country views of the train tracks and backside of CVS.
The train isn’t a great selling point, the ride is 2 plus hours and goes to Hoboken, you either have to transfer down the line or take the PATH from there to get to NY. It also runs during rush hour M-F only. I work in NY and drive to a different station.
Joso I just drove by for the first time since January. Wow is that going up quick. I wonder if they'll have to put a light at Bilby/Willow?
I have been following this thread, with interest. Recently, my brother has moved to the
Hackettstown Senior Apts, just above the hospital on Willow Grove.
Accordingly, (I live in Independence) I find myself crossing High St and traveling
on Willow grove and Bilby at various times of the day and days of the week.
Between 8 and 5, all those roads are busy, before and after, with drive time traffic,
very busy.
I cannot imagine the impact of the traffic that that new developement will create. There is no alternative (i.e. Washington Ave to avoid Main St) available.
I also cannot imagine the planning process that allowed this to happen.
Good luck to all in the future.
New2this What a shame. When we moved here 40+ years ago the town was a haven for family life. Outdoor spaces, small town atmosphere, and single family homes that had strong allegiances to the community were all part of the allure.
Now town leaders have sold us out. Traffic is already ridiculous. Schools are already overcrowded. Main Street is one big traffic jam. Let's not forget the time it takes to advance to 5 corners on Willow Grove.
Encouraging big city train commuters is not the future you want either. East Stroudsburg thought it was the way to advance. They soon found out that many kids were home without parents, because they worked in the city during week. There was so much chaos that it was not uncommon for schools to close to regain normalcy. Surprise, Surprise
We are done. House is selling, and I know many others who have done, or will do the same. I do wish you all luck, but it might be too late.
USAfirst I must ask, you are stating that in Easton public schools closed to regain normalcy? When was this idiotic and counterproductive practice ever conducted? Encouraging absenteeism seems to be the only result of a public school closing due to some sort of perceived notion that the community is in some sort of decline because of additional housing. The whole scenario sounds ridiculous to me.
Greg - USA said "East Stroudsburg", not "Easton".
USAfirst - I'm an East Stroudsburg tax payer. It's hard to talk trains when there isn't one in town. I know what's going on there and you're full of nonsense.
A lot of the posts here are similar - trying to talk about current traffic from places that haven't even been built yet. (with the exception of Independence and their traffic from Woodmont Liberty)
Thanks GC. How the heck I got Easton from East Stroudsburg I'll never know! LOL.
Odd as I was in both of those towns just this week....
I agree that the traffic will be a double nightmare since it already is a nightmare. Whoever came with the idea made a bad choice. THANKS!
Question - do the people on HT board live in Hackettstown and drive through it every day during the "rush hours" like most of us do? 540 new apartments would mean about 1000 new people or even more. How does new addition compare to the existing HT population in percents? Not to mentions a new "development" behind the new-ish CVS and lumber yard.
I already wrote somewhere - the HT board needs these new buildings for more revenue. That's a simple math.
Pyc Life would be better for Hackettstown if there was a border building limit but all of our border municipalities do their building close to our border. Independence is nice when you get over the mountain and Mansfield is nice past the Blau road are. Mount olive is just wronga
Robert What is the name of these new apartments on Bilby Rd and are these for seniors 55 + ? Where can one get an application? Is there a business office to call for more information, like when do these apartments open up?
Sonia Molina Recently I went to the Medical building , as I was going home and try to drive down that road which is half blocked from the construction trucks, it looked like a Getto from NYC, what a desgrace to build those in our area
sally jo I went to the Orthopedic Institute yesterday, and I had no problem entering or exiting the property. Yes, there were construction personnel's vehicles parked alongside the entrance road, but I had no problem navigating in that area. As far as the buildings go, they are the nicest-looking apartment buildings in the area. I'm not sure I agree that they look like a Getto from NYC, though.
"Getto"? Wow you don't get out much Sally Jo. Those are being built by Russo Development who constructs high(er) end apartments that will be the nicest in the area by far. You may not like that they are being built but to call them "getto" is ridiculous
The R What is the total number of apartments?
Is there a percentage of these apartments for low-income ?
Did anyone think about the strain on the Hospital and the medical offices? And it does look like a Ghetto. We left the city to get away from these monster buildings. Now we have to drive down the road and look at these obstacles. Oh.... they are nice to begin with but eventually they become crime ridden. You just cannot put so many people together and expect a peaceful existence. Especially with a Marijuana grow house across from these buildings. Once this gets out to the public it is just a matter of time before there are break-ins. I hope they have an excellent security system. If you don't live in this immediate area you have no business being judgmental or ignorant of the effect it has on the residents in the immediate area.
Maggie Ok...before we get to far afield here, might be useful to
review some of the earliest posts on the subject. They note "studies" but there has been nothing further on that subject. I think it is agreed that there will be 375 Units, 1 and 2 Br units. That is at least 375 parking spots and more ? for the 2 Br units... It is going up...fact of life but:
what kind of set asides by the developer have been made:
to purchase the kind of fire equipment/trucks that may be needed in the event of fire???
to expand, repair the 2 lane roads that, presently, are the the only access to the site???
Increased number of lights to deal with that traffic??
anticipated increase cost of services i.e. police, sanitation, maintenance in general?
# of kids for the schools anticipated?
How many units set aside for Mt Laurel considerations...
and so on.....thanks
New2this
You forgot the new 120 units down the Road on Independence behind the quick chek..that puts the number at 495
zentravl 
Rg1959 Reminds me of a dorm complex for a major university. Pill box ugly and way to high a density. What were the town planners thinking?
Unless everyone turns left to go to Rt 80 by the trade zone, we are screwed on commuting traffic. Five corners could be gridlock.
This looks like a huge hit for all infrastructure.
babbit I think I have previously noted that I have reason to travel that general area at different times of the day.
Traffic is already an issue...
I have also noted that there s/b substantial set asides from the builders to pay for addressing all the issues this area will present once fully occupied.
For instance:
Fire trucks that may need retrofit to handle the height of the bldgs...
Traffic lights on Franklin/Willow Grove to address the back up on the 5 corners as well as allowing access from Franklin...
Same situation on the other end Franklin/High St...
Doesn't take a planner to see what is coming...thanks
Rabbit
Why wouldn't the traffic just turn right at the light on 517 and get to 80 that way?.. Its shorter than going thru the trade zone
Jim L - 500ft ladder? That would be quite an apparatus! I think that’s a typo!
I love all of the comments on here regarding traffic, gridlock, poor planning etc. Do any of you attend Planning Board or Land Use Board meetings? That’s where you can hear all of the testimony of the developer’s experts and ask questions. To come on to this forum and complain is useless; the decisions were made long ago. If you’re really concerned about the future of your community then get involved. Go to meetings - or better yet join the town board.
FarmerJake A light will be needed so people can make a turn left onto Willow Grove St from Bilby. It can get very busy there already .
janster Concerned about traffic? Here is your chance to comment:
How will you get around Warren County in 2050? N.J. transportation planners ask.
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/2025/01/how-will-you-get-around-warren-county-in-2050-nj-transportation-planners-ask.html
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