Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some women, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give women a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider HRT (hormone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men and women are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
HRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
As women age, their hormones begin to go through changes that affect their day-to-day lives. For women, hormone deficiency and imbalance usually occur during menopause and can cause chronic fatigue, hot flashes, and mood swings, among other issues. Hormone replacement therapy helps correct hormone imbalances in women, helping them feel more vibrant and virile as they age.
Often, HRT treatments give patients enhanced quality of life that they didn't think was possible - even in their 60's and beyond.
The benefits for women are numerous and are available today through Global Life Rejuvenation.
As women age, their bodies begin to go through significant changes that affect their quality of life. This change is called menopause and marks the end of a woman's menstrual cycle and reproduction ability. Though there is no specific age when this change occurs, the average age of menopause onset is 51 years old. However, according to doctors, menopause officially starts 12 months after a woman's final period. During the transition to menopause, women's estrogen and other hormones begin to deplete.
As that happens, many women experience severe symptoms. These symptoms include:
The symptoms of hormone deficiency can be concerning and scary for both women and their spouses. However, if you're getting older and notice some of these symptoms, there is reason to be hopeful. Hormone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine for women can correct imbalances that happen during menopause. These safe, effective treatments leave you feeling younger, healthier, and more vibrant.
The most common reason for menopause is the natural decline in a female's reproductive hormones. However, menopause can also result from the following situations:
Oophorectomy: This surgery, which removes a woman's ovaries, causes immediate menopause. Symptoms and signs of menopause in this situation can be severe, as the hormonal changes happen abruptly.
Chemotherapy: Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can induce menopause quickly, causing symptoms to appear shortly after or even during treatment.
Ovarian Insufficiency: Also called premature ovarian failure, this condition is essentially premature menopause. It happens when a woman's ovaries quit functioning before the age of 40 and can stem from genetic factors and disease. Only 1% of women suffer from premature menopause, but HRT can help protect the heart, brain, and bones.
For many women, menopause is a trying time that can be filled with many hormonal hurdles to jump through. A little knowledge can go a long way, whether you're going through menopause now or are approaching "that" age.
Here are some of the most common issues that women experience during menopause:
If you're a woman going through menopause and find that you have become increasingly depressed, you're not alone. It's estimated that 15% of women experience depression to some degree while going through menopause. What many women don't know is that depression can start during perimenopause, or the years leading up to menopause.
Depression can be hard to diagnose, especially during perimenopause and menopause. However, if you notice the following signs, it might be time to speak with a physician:
Remember, if you're experiencing depression, you're not weak or broken - you're going through a very regular emotional experience. The good news is that with proper treatment from your doctor, depression isn't a death sentence. And with HRT and anti-aging treatment for women, depression could be the catalyst you need to enjoy a new lease on life.
Hot flashes - they're one of the most well-known symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes are intense, sudden feelings of heat across a woman's upper body. Some last second, while others last minutes, making them incredibly inconvenient and uncomfortable for most women.
Symptoms of hot flashes include:
Typically, hot flashes are caused by a lack of estrogen. Low estrogen levels negatively affect a woman's hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls body temperature and appetite. Low estrogen levels cause the hypothalamus to incorrectly assume the body is too hot, dilating blood vessels to increase blood flow. Luckily, most women don't have to settle for the uncomfortable feelings that hot flashes cause. HRT treatments for women often stabilize hormones, lessening the effects of hot flashes and menopause in general.
Mood swings are common occurrences for most people - quick shifts from happy to angry and back again, triggered by a specific event. And while many people experience mood swings, they are particularly common for women going through menopause. That's because, during menopause, the female's hormones are often imbalanced. Hormone imbalances and mood swings go hand-in-hand, resulting in frequent mood changes and even symptoms like insomnia.
The rate of production of estrogen, a hormone that fluctuates during menopause, largely determines the rate of production the hormone serotonin, which regulates mood, causing mood swings.
Luckily, HRT and anti-aging treatments in Raritan, NJ for women work wonders for mood swings by regulating hormone levels like estrogen. With normal hormone levels, women around the world are now learning that they don't have to settle for mood swings during menopause.
Staying fit and healthy is hard for anyone living in modern America. However, for women with hormone imbalances during perimenopause or menopause, weight gain is even more serious. Luckily, HRT treatments for women coupled with a physician-led diet can help keep weight in check. But which hormones need to be regulated?
Lowered sexual desire - three words most men and women hate to hear. Unfortunately, for many women in perimenopausal and menopausal states, it's just a reality of life. Thankfully, today, HRT and anti-aging treatments Raritan, NJ can help women maintain a normal, healthy sex drive. But what causes low libido in women, especially as they get older?
The hormones responsible for low libido in women are progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone.
Progesterone production decreases during perimenopause, causing low sex drive in women. Lower progesterone production can also cause chronic fatigue, weight gain, and other symptoms. On the other hand, lower estrogen levels during menopause lead to vaginal dryness and even vaginal atrophy or loss of muscle tension.
Lastly, testosterone plays a role in lowered libido. And while testosterone is often grouped as a male hormone, it contributes to important health and regulatory functionality in women. A woman's testosterone serves to heighten sexual responses and enhances orgasms. When the ovaries are unable to produce sufficient levels of testosterone, it often results in a lowered sex drive.
Often uncomfortable and even painful, vaginal dryness is a serious problem for sexually active women. However, like hair loss in males, vaginal dryness is very common - almost 50% of women suffer from it during menopause.
Getting older is just a part of life, but that doesn't mean you have to settle for the side effects. HRT and anti-aging treatments for women correct vaginal dryness by re-balancing estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. When supplemented with diet and healthy living, your vagina's secretions are normalized, causing discomfort to recede.
Uterine fibroids - they're perhaps the least-known symptom of menopause and hormone imbalances in women. That's because these growths on the uterus are often symptom-free. Unfortunately, these growths can be cancerous, presenting a danger for women as they age.
Many women will have fibroids at some point. Because they're symptomless, they're usually found during routine doctor exams. Some women only get one or two, while others may have large clusters of fibroids. Because fibroids are usually caused by hormone imbalances, hysterectomies have been used as a solution, forcing women into early menopause.
Advances in HRT and anti-aging medicine for women give females a safer, non-surgical option without having to experience menopause early. At Global Life Rejuvenation, our expert physicians will implement a customized HRT program to stabilize your hormones and reduce the risk of cancerous fibroid growth.
Endometriosis symptoms are much like the effects of PMS, and include pelvic pain, fatigue, cramping, and bloating. While doctors aren't entirely sure what causes this painful, uncomfortable condition, most agree that hormones - particularly xenoestrogens - play a factor.
Endometriosis symptoms are much like the effects of PMS and include pelvic pain, fatigue, cramping, and bloating. While doctors aren't entirely sure what causes this painful, uncomfortable condition, most agree that hormones - particularly xenoestrogens - play a factor.
Xenoestrogen is a hormone that is very similar to estrogen. Too much xenoestrogen is thought to stimulate endometrial tissue growth. HRT for women helps balance these hormones and, when used with a custom nutrition program, can provide relief for women across the U.S.
Hormone stability is imperative for a healthy sex drive and for a normal, stress-free life during menopause. HRT and anti-aging treatments for women balance the hormones that your body has altered due to perimenopause or menopause.
HRT for women is a revolutionary step in helping women live their best lives, even as they grow older. However, at Global Life Rejuvenation, we know that no two patients are the same. That's why we specialize in holistic treatments that utilize HRT, combined with healthy nutrition, supplements, and fitness plans that maximize hormone replacement treatments.
If you've been suffering through menopause, is HRT the answer? That's hard to say without an examination by a trusted physician, but one thing's for sure. When a woman balances her hormone levels, she has a much better shot at living a regular life with limited depression, weight gain, mood swings, and hot flashes.
Here are just a few additional benefits of HRT and anti-aging treatments for females:
Hormone imbalance causes a litany of issues. But with anti-aging treatments for women, females can better process calcium, keep their cholesterol levels safe, and maintain a healthy vagina. By replenishing the body's estrogen supply, HRT can relieve symptoms from menopause and protect against osteoporosis. But that's just the start.
Global Life Rejuvenation's patients report many more benefits of HRT and anti-aging medicine for women:
If you're ready to feel better, look better, and recapture the vitality of your youth, it's time to contact Global Life Rejuvenation. It all starts with an in-depth consultation, where we will determine if HRT and anti-aging treatments for women are right for you. After all, every patient's body and hormone levels are different. Since all our treatment options are personalized, we do not have a single threshold for treatment. Instead, we look at our patient's hormone levels and analyze them on a case-by-case basis.
At Global Life Rejuvenation, we help women rediscover their youth with HRT treatment for women. We like to think of ourselves as an anti-aging concierge service, guiding and connecting our patients to the most qualified HRT physicians available. With customized HRT treatment plan for women, our patients experience fewer menopausal symptoms, less perimenopause & menopause depression, and often enjoy a more youth-like appearance.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies. Ipamorelin can boost a patient's overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life.
When there is an increased concentration of growth hormone by the pituitary gland, there are positive benefits to the body. Some benefits include:
Whether you are considering our HRT and anti-aging treatments for women in Raritan, NJ, we are here to help. The first step to reclaiming your life begins by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation. Our friendly, knowledgeable HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
866-793-9933RARITAN, NJ - Raritan Borough submitted its splash park proposal to Somerset County for review after passing a resolution last year confirming its commitment to building one in town with the help of a Somerset County Open Space grant.Although the borough proposed replacing the Basilone Pool with a splash park last year, borough engineers Stanley Schrek and Joseph Brosnan are recommending replacing the kiddie pool at Frelinghuysen Park instead.Brosnan said the Department of Public Works (DPW) put a lot of time, money and effort ...
RARITAN, NJ - Raritan Borough submitted its splash park proposal to Somerset County for review after passing a resolution last year confirming its commitment to building one in town with the help of a Somerset County Open Space grant.
Although the borough proposed replacing the Basilone Pool with a splash park last year, borough engineers Stanley Schrek and Joseph Brosnan are recommending replacing the kiddie pool at Frelinghuysen Park instead.
Brosnan said the Department of Public Works (DPW) put a lot of time, money and effort into keeping the Frelinghuysen pool up and running for the summer. After investigating a pool leak at the Frelinghuysen Pool and meeting with Department of Public Works Director Vincent LoMedico, Brosnan said it became clear that the price range for the improvements at Frelinghuysen Pool is comparable to the Splash Park at Basilone Pool, costing close to $200,000.
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“Based on my discussion with Vince, it seemed reasonable what he was suggesting when you’re thinking about all the steps necessary to do it,” Brosnan said.
Not only is the price range about the same, but Brosnan said the borough might have a better case at soliciting funds from the county since Frelinghuysen isn’t in a flood zone like Basilone.
The borough needs a permit to build a splash park at Basilone because of its proximity to a creek, which subjects the park to environmental constraints, unlike Frelinghuysen, “which might be much more favorable to the county and also jives better with our stormwater master plan,” said Brosnan.
“So, if I may make that suggestion for consideration, the council can decide later, we may want to replace the existing kiddie pool at Frelinghuysen with the splash pad,” he said.
Although the council didn’t decide, borough administrator Eric Colvin said that since the splash park is part of a bigger recreation plan for the town – which the borough is still working on in the form of the Recreation Strategic Plan – they can consider it further when budgeting for next year.
Brosnan agreed that a more extensive discussion about the pools needs to happen.
“How those pools should be scheduled out and what we want to do with them should be discussed,” he said.
In 2022, the council debated whether the splash park should replace the pool at Basilone or Frelinghuysen. While some argued that most splash parks also have a swimming pool and Frelinghuysen has an operational pool, while Basilone is a mess, others said Basilone is in a residential neighborhood and near a school, so there would be a lot of children that could utilize it.
In September 2022, councilwoman Joan Hutzler said people in that part of town would like a place for their children to go.
However, Schrek said the Basilone Pool was overhauled in 2009 or 2010, and they made additional repairs after visiting Basilone to inspect facilities as part of the borough’s Recreation Strategic Plan. So, no other improvements are needed, he said.
The Recreation Strategic Plan also included looking at other parks for repairs, like Frelinghuysen.
“So that pool (at Basilone) can stand by itself,” said Schrek. “With the repairs that are necessary at Frelinghuysen, it just makes sense.”
Regarding maintenance, the council debated in 2022 whether a centralized location for a pool and splash park at Frelinghuysen would be easier to manage or if a splash park instead of a pool at Basilone Park would be easier to maintain.
Brosnan said that when it comes to maintenance, Frelinghuysen would be the better option to avoid leaves and debris getting into the splash park.
“That sounds like a nightmare,” he said, and, compared to the Frelinghuysen area, Basilone has a lot more potential for debris.
“Ultimately, the decision is yours,” said Brosnan. “But if it were my decision, that’s how I would roll with it. And again, I think that stands a better chance at passing county scrutiny, especially when you consider that the improvements at Basilone aren’t very favorable to the stormwater aspect.”
RARITAN, NJ - In response to resident complaints about the rise in redevelopment and the state-mandated affordable housing requirement, Raritan Borough is partnering with Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity to identify properties to build or rehabilitate for affordable housing.Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity can build or rehabilitate single-family homes or duplexes to sell to residents who apply to their program for low-income housing. Raritan Borough is required to have 375 units for affordable housing, and has 293 so far....
RARITAN, NJ - In response to resident complaints about the rise in redevelopment and the state-mandated affordable housing requirement, Raritan Borough is partnering with Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity to identify properties to build or rehabilitate for affordable housing.
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity can build or rehabilitate single-family homes or duplexes to sell to residents who apply to their program for low-income housing. Raritan Borough is required to have 375 units for affordable housing, and has 293 so far.
"They're just wondering if there's any places in town that maybe we can come up with, we let them know and partner with them to help build these homes," said council president Nicolas Carra.
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Carra added that if they find any properties, he’ll bring them back to the council, and it’s an effort he's keeping tabs on.
"We're still trying to help them find some properties to rehabilitate and to help bring people in that also count toward our affordable housing,” he said.
Habitat for Humanity also has a home repairs program for homeowners in the borough – and Somerset and Hunterdon counties – who have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income.
Carra said that for a household of one, the maximum income would be $80,024, a household of two would be $91,456 and a household of four would be $114,320. Although homeowners are responsible for a portion of the costs determined on a sliding scale based on income, payments can be made over time with zero interest for larger projects.
Habitat for Humanity home repairs include a Brush With Kindness program for small jobs such as clearing basements, yard cleanup, deck maintenance and small paint or repair jobs. There's also a small repairs program for slightly larger projects like installing sheetrock, flooring, cabinets or windowpanes, and a critical home repair program that addresses homeowners' health and safety, such as repairing ramps, railings, entry doors, furnaces, roof replacements, siding repairs and accessibility upgrades.
However, Raritan Borough resident and planning board member Thomas Brown said that as part of the borough’s fair share housing plan, there is about $500,000 available to rehabilitate certain homes.
“It might be appropriate for Habitat for Humanity to be able to use some of those funds,” he said, adding that income-eligible residents can also access the funds to repair their homes, but they may not be aware.
"Part of that (fair share housing) requirement was that we're supposed to be advertising that money is available for any resident within whatever zone it designates can access, and I believe the amount has been $20,000 per resident to do upgrades and improvement of their properties,” Brown said. “And that hasn't been advertised once, I don't believe."
Since 2017, housing plans must address four main components of a municipality’s affordable housing obligation, including the rehabilitation obligation to improve substandard housing occupied by low- and moderate-income households.
The borough created a Home Improvement Program (HIP) to assist properties occupied by very-low, low and moderate-income households to bring substandard housing up to code by correcting existing interior and exterior health, safety and code violations.
It can include replacing or repairing the roof, plumbing, heating and electricity, and weatherization projects, such as building insulation for the attic, exterior walls and crawl space, and replacing windows and doors. Luxury improvements and strictly cosmetic upgrades don't qualify, such as additions, conversions and repairs to structures separate from the living units.
According to the borough's draft rehabilitation manual, both owner-occupied and renter-occupied housing units are eligible to receive rehabilitation funding if the units' occupants are income-eligible and units are deemed substandard and for primary residency only. The draft manual states that owner-occupied single-family units can receive a maximum of $20,000 per unit, and owner-occupied multi-family units a maximum of $17,000 per unit.
“If you can kind of check and find out where that all is,” said Brown of the official materials and advertisements, “I believe Mr. (Jeffery) Lehrer (the borough’s redevelopment attorney) was responsible for getting that in the works many moons ago. When we signed on the dotted line for the fair share housing plan for the borough, it stipulated that we have to advertise.”
Robotics Team 303 members, Aarav Sureban and Pranav Karra, coordinated another successful STEAM Fair and Sensory Fair.BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Amogh Jambekar recalled the time when he was an intermediate school student and he became intrigued with the STEAM Fair and Sensory Fair that was exhibited at Bridgewater-Raritan High School."When I was in 5th and 6th grades, I remember when I came here, and that is when I became passionate in this type of stuff," revealed Amogh, who is now a junior at Bridgewater-Raritan High...
BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Amogh Jambekar recalled the time when he was an intermediate school student and he became intrigued with the STEAM Fair and Sensory Fair that was exhibited at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
"When I was in 5th and 6th grades, I remember when I came here, and that is when I became passionate in this type of stuff," revealed Amogh, who is now a junior at Bridgewater-Raritan High School and one of the spearheads to the present day STEAM Fair and Sensory Fair that was held on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Amogh and his fellow Robotics Team 303 members, Aarav Sureban and Pranav Karra, were the coordinators behind what was another successful STEAM Fair and Sensory Fair that produced an educational event, which represents Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.
Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s main cafeteria was the venue for the STEAM Fair while the Sensory Fair exhibit was staged around the hallway in the small cafeteria.
Between the two cafeterias, a total of 26 exhibits of science and technology were laid out on tables and floors for the community to view as well as engage in.
"This is our mission, to give back to the community," Amogh said about the hands-on experiments and various booths that were spread out in the two cafeterias. "Our cardinal thing is to focus on this type of activity so people and kids can see what STEAM is all about. We want them to come and learn. That is our purpose."
The guests, who streamed in and out all day, were able to participate in such demonstrations as figuring out a Rubik’s Cube, floating a boat, coding robots, crafting and flying paper airplanes, learning diffusion in Skittles and watching Team 303’s famed robot make its moves around its display area.
The Sensory Fair served a crucial purpose as it allowed students who may have sensory needs be able to become involved in the marvels of the exhibits Isabella Bayantemur may be just a freshman member of Team 303 but she was well-versed on the importance of the demonstrations in the Sensory Fair.
"This is so important for kids so that they feel comfortable in this type of an environment," said Isabella while she stood before her table that offered a lesson in developing a stress ball.
"The stress ball helps stimulate the brain and the body for a student. It is a stress reliever," she explained.
Team 303’s dedicated advisor, John Sirusas, was again quite satisfied with the performance of his students.
"It was successful," he said. "It is a hit with the community and the kids love doing it."
Aarav Sureban, a Team Captain for the robotics club and one of the three coordinators of the event summed up the motive of the Fair.
"This is our way to spread STEAM to the community and all of our schools," Aarav, a senior, said. "These demonstrations are what the kids enjoy."
"That is why we do it."
Here are the exhibits in the booths at both the STEAM Fair and the Sensory Fair:
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RARITAN BOROUGH – Another apartment building may be coming to town.A conceptual plan to construct a 60-unit apartment building at the intersection of First Avenue and Burns Street, two blocks south of the Raritan Crossing apartments and LabCorp's Northeast Main Lab, was presented to the Borough Council earlier this month.Michael Collins, attorney for longtime borough resident Joseph Natale who wants to build the project, said his client "wants to work" with borough officials on the plans for the p...
RARITAN BOROUGH – Another apartment building may be coming to town.
A conceptual plan to construct a 60-unit apartment building at the intersection of First Avenue and Burns Street, two blocks south of the Raritan Crossing apartments and LabCorp's Northeast Main Lab, was presented to the Borough Council earlier this month.
Michael Collins, attorney for longtime borough resident Joseph Natale who wants to build the project, said his client "wants to work" with borough officials on the plans for the project.
"His family wants to see good things for the community," Collins said, adding that "we value feedback."
The area on the west side of First Avenue has been recommended by the Borough Council as an area in need of redevelopment.
Architect Robert Larsen said the redevelopment area contains eight lots with multi-family houses that are a century old.
One of the primary advantages of the apartment building, Larsen said, was the removal of driveways with access to First Avenue. That will eliminate vehicles backing onto First Avenue, he said.
Instead, access to the apartment building will be from Burns Street, he said.
The parking will both be underground and on the surface, Larsen said.
Also see:Here's how DOT plans to fix gridlock at Route 202, First Avenue jughandle in Raritan
The conceptual plans call for 60 apartments, but that number could change as the plans are developed, he said.
Another advantage of the location, Larsen said, is that it is within a half mile of the train station on NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line.
The architect also that the building will be 40 to 60 feet from neighboring residential properties.
Once the redevelopment designation becomes official after Planning Board review, the borough will select a redeveloper and site plans will be presented to the Planning Board.
Thought it may be a complicated process, Jeffrey Lehrer, the borough's redevelopment attorney, said the public will be involved in all steps.
If the Borough Council decides to enter into a financial agreement with the developer, that's a separate action, Lehrer said.
Email: [email protected]
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
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RARITAN, NJ - The Raritan Borough Council heard a redevelopment proposal for First Avenue and Burns Street, an area comprising five lots along First Avenue, starting at the corner of Burns Street.As part of the redevelopment process, the Raritan Borough Council adopted a resolution in 2022 authorizing the planning board to conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether the First Avenue/Burns Street area is in need of redevelopment. The public hearing before the planning board to determine if it's in need of redevelopment has...
RARITAN, NJ - The Raritan Borough Council heard a redevelopment proposal for First Avenue and Burns Street, an area comprising five lots along First Avenue, starting at the corner of Burns Street.
As part of the redevelopment process, the Raritan Borough Council adopted a resolution in 2022 authorizing the planning board to conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether the First Avenue/Burns Street area is in need of redevelopment. The public hearing before the planning board to determine if it's in need of redevelopment has yet to occur.
Borough attorney Bill Robertson said the redevelopment proposal before the council was purely informational. The borough requested that the prospective developer present a concept plan to inform the council of potential development.
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The developer has gone before the Technical Review Committee (TRC) for feedback on their concept plan. The TRC is an advisory body set up by a municipality to help process development applications.
The proposed plan for First Avenue/Burns Street consolidates the five lots into a single 60-unit building. The developer’s architect and planner, Robert Larsen, said they intend to provide a single structure that maintains the neighborhood's residential character with a 40– to 60–foot setback from the surrounding residential properties. The development will also have amenities, an active roof and green space to aid in stormwater management.
As part of the redevelopment process, the planning board determines whether a site is an area needing redevelopment through a public hearing and if it meets one or more of the criteria, such as the site being obsolete, non-functional or blighted.
If the planning board decides that it’s in need of redevelopment, they send a resolution to the council. The council can then formally designate the site as an area in need of redevelopment by resolution and direct its planner and engineer to put together a redevelopment plan.
If the council adopts the redevelopment plan by ordinance, a developer can proceed to the planning board with the project for site plan approval.
"From a planning standpoint, it's in an appropriate location, replacing definitely aged housing stock, improving the road circulation and we think an improvement on everything," said Larsen, noting that the lots consist of multifamily homes for rent that are around 100 years old.
Each lot also has a driveway, meaning there are five driveways on First Avenue, a busy county road.
Jay Troutman, the developer's traffic engineer, said they plan to remove the driveways and provide on-site surface and underground parking with access on Burns Street. Troutman said this should improve safety since those driveway maneuvers will be eliminated from the county road and moved to Burns Street.
Mayor Zachary Bray asked which direction drivers can go after exiting the parking lot, which can be toward First Avenue or Gaston Avenue, a residential street.
"I would assume the majority of the traffic is going to be using First and Burns. That's the most convenient," said Troutman. "And that's the location that you want to make sure you have the adequate gapping to get the turns in and out of, and that's really where we tested pretty severely."
Troutman said the intersection of Burns Street and First Avenue should have plenty of capacity to accommodate vehicles coming in and out of the parking lot, with the intersection able to queue two to three cars.
"But the trip density of this whole development is such that you'll never get that type of queuing," Troutman said. "We ran that through the queuing, the queue is one at any given time."
The location is also ideal since it's a half mile from the train station, a distance Troutman called the magic number.
"That's been proven through studies to reduce parking demand, and to reduce cars, to reduce trip generation," he said.
In terms of vehicle ownership for units like the one proposed, Troutman said studies show they generate about 1.2 to 1.3 cars per unit, and the towns he works with are setting their standard at 1.5 cars per unit. The developer is proposing a 1.5 ratio through on-site and underground parking.
Although councilman Adam Armahizer wanted to confirm if the 60-unit development would actually improve roadway circulation as the developer proposed, borough engineer Stanley Schrek said he would need to do an analysis when there’s a full site plan. Currently, it’s just a concept plan.
However, Schrek said parking ratios are usually calculated based on residential site improvement standards, and the applicant is proposing a discounted parking ratio based on the proximity to the train station. The borough is working on confirming if a 1.5 ratio is appropriate.
Schrek said they were successful with Block 81 or the Raritan Crossing redevelopment, but they've needed to ask for some improvements "that haven't been quite completed yet," he said.
"We haven't confirmed an assessable route between the project and the railroad,” he added. “We have to look closely at that to understand how the people are actually going to be traversing to get to the railroad, what the best route is and maybe make some more track improvements to that. But we'd be looking closely at whether that discounted parking ratio is warranted."
The developer's attorney, Michael Collins, said his client wants to work with the municipality to ensure the project is a positive change for the community.
"So, we really will value your feedback," he said. "And we'll certainly be in touch with everyone and happy to answer any further questions you may have. And we would like to continue the redevelopment process together as you've initiated."