Oh noes! The renters will ruin *everything* in our perfect little community!

Get over it, bigots. Just because someone doesn't want to buy a piece of property doesn't mean you are better than them.

hopefully we all will be pleasantly surprised with this plan, because a rental property (usually) becomes an eyesore
i only say this because there are several rental homes in the area and we all know exactly which ones they are
i guess time will tell

“precisely the product this community needs.”
I really wish Minniti that you would not speak for me as "the community".
This is NOT what my community needs but as in everything else that takes place
we deal with it and smile. I do think the current state of Siena is a HUGE eye sore on 130 so I guess trying to finish building would be better than what is currently in its place. Blah Blah Blah....another day of Cinnaminson tumbling down the tubes.....wheeeeeeeee.

Mr. Young needs to realize that in this economic and housing environment, many people are CHOOSING to rent/lease as opposed to buy. It is difficult even for qualified buyers to acquire loans, and the prospects of appreciation are unknown, so leasing is the safe alternative. I've been a renter and owner, and have taken care of my residence equally well even when renting, so let's not generalize.

Buttercup, it is not always the renter’s fault that the property looks like hell. I know a renter who is not to maintain his property. It is spelled out in their lease that it is the landlord’s responsibility to maintain the property. If the landlord chooses to ignore his/her responsibilities, than it should be up to you as the neighbor to complain to the township by way of a phone call or attending a meeting so they can go after the landlord. I see Siena as being a good neighbor who will continue to maintain the property whether it be bought, leased, or rented.

While I agree that most renters are not problematic, Cinnaminson should be striving to encourage home ownership and not more rental units. People who own their own homes are prone to be less transient and take greater pride in their community. When you have a financial investment in a community you are more likely to take a greater interest in the future of the community.

I mostly agree Mark. In buildings like Sienna, I think rentals will be fine. The property owner is responsible for everything outside the building and renters must follow codes. Some house rentals become eyesores, because there is no incentive for the renter to maintain the property, and in most cases the landlord just wants the money.

I have a question. How is this going to effect the 5 year PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) that was given as an incentive to the developer. As I remember all the new “purchaser's” of a unit in Siena were given a 5 year break on property taxes. Since the renting of theses properties is now a “commercial enterprise” is the owner (developer) required to now start paying property taxes since these units are not for sale.

All in all, the lease-to-buy option should not be an issue. While Cinnaminson is mostly an owner-occupied community -- and I'd like it to stay that way -- Siena is an age-restricted community. With senior citizens only, I'm not particularly concerned about the use of leasing on an interim basis until the real estate market improves and the developer can get back to selling units. Sure beats the motels that used to be there. Wonder how much longer we have to wait until real estate recovers. It's just awful month-after-month to see our national economy in such miserable shape. After 4 long years of national suffering, can hardly wait to cast my vote this November.

Very important question...what about that PILOT that was given? Wonderful job Committiee will this just be swept under the rug? Ellie A. I don't hear you singing praises on this, wonder why?

I will have a follow-up story regarding the PILOT and Siena. With several officials on vacation, it's been hard to get the whole story out in one article. Stay tuned, Patchers. And remember, if you have a letter to the editor with your opinion or any questions that are for me directly, please email me at christina.paciolla@patch.com.

"The reason Hovnanian must go before the township for approval is because Siena is part of Cinnaminson redevelopment zone."

"Hovnanian said the new lease-to-buy option is “a positive thing for the community” and already, 17 homes have been leased in the past four months."

17 leased and it has not been approved - something is backwards here !!!!

And Mr Minnitti says "and know one will know that it is a rental community For the past two months Billboard signage states "now ,leasing " from $1300 a month. And no one will know it's a rental community? 60,000 cars pass there daily. Who's fooling who? And the tax situation. The original agreement was a tax abatement for 5 years. Hovnanian has defaulted on ths agreement. They are now responsible for the full assessed evaluation for this property. Why hasn.t our attorney looked into this? Is it because our atty and Hovnanian attys are in bed with one another. Over a month ago I e-mailed Chistina to look into this. I did not receive a reply from her.It appears to me our committee people are not doing the job they were elected to do, but take on inane projects like making rte 130 Downtown Cinnaminson. , requiring sidewalks to be installed on rte 130 commercial properties. I can just picture a young married woman pushing her baby's coach to Friendly's for a snack when traffic is whizzing by at 50 to 60 miles an hour. Am I missing something here?

Wow it's the "bush did it syndrome" insert Minnitti ......Joseph Mogel might be right, its a conspiracy....someone pass the tin hats

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3q6wmzlMW1r0m7el.jpg

Gosh, darn 55+ people with their fast cars, loud music and wild parties. Not to mention the huge amount of drugs they use.

Seriously Folks, 55+ rental communities are filled people out from a divorce, who want out from owning a home, or sold the house due to upkeep issues and want to scale back in life.

WORST TENANTS EVER! THEY EVEN USE LOCAL SHOPPING CENTERS!!!

Thank you Dan for your common sense and humor. My husband and I just moved to NJ and decided to rent at the beautiful Siena Condos to become familiar with the area before we decide to purchase again. Who knows, we may choose to purchase here. Most of the lovely people I have met here have sold their homes to downsize. I have yet to see the police breaking up raucous parties or making drug busts. Now we may be yelling because we can't hear, we are after all 55+. We have no kids to support, so we can support the local businesses. What could be better, quiet older people who support their local community. I can understand the concern with more rental properties, but the housing market changed and this was probably the best alternative. Otherwise, the land could've become an unkept eyesore. Cinnaminson is a very nice town and you should all be commended for wanting to keep it that way.

What happens if they can't lease all the units...what happens next? I don't see them having much luck renting or selling, do they have a back up plan?

Committeeman Ben Young was right on the money and should go with his gut instinct on the "Proposed Leasing Situation." As a resident of Siena, I can tell you that NOT everyone is in favor of this plan and some are quite upset about the proposed changes! We DO NOT have anything against renters, and I myself have rented and taken great care of the property. However we bought our condos; and now to change the Master Plan after we have made our purchase is just wrong. Also, what is unnerving is that Hovnanian is picking up the renters HOA fees. SO, while my husband and I pay $255. a month in fees, the renters are not. How does this seem fair? Not to mention that we are paying our fees to a company that is not very responsive and our overall landscaping and appearance looks terrible. Now, as they start the next building, it looks even worse! The dirt and debis left from the construction site is quite an eyesore. I understand that construction makes a mess, but why can't a truck come down at the end of the day and clean up? I have lived in 2 other communites that where not fully built and when construction took place, a water truck came down the street & cleaned and the trash was removed. This was paid by the BUILDERS, and it was so that the current residents could still live in a clean community. THE dirt and debris left over is on our patios, windows, and the nails and sharp objects are tearing up our tires. LOVELY! Very disappointed in the situation.