b'The Changing Landscape ofHousing Options for SeniorsBY TIA SWANSONW hen Marilyn Schnaars entered the world 90 yearsFierce Advocateago, South Orange was a much different place. SecondStreetwasclosedduringheavysnow-storms so that kids could sled-ride there. South Orange Avenue was filled with greengrocers and butchers and, most iconic of all, Grunings Ice Cream Parlor, the leg- Modern Brokerageendary shop that was founded by her uncle. The village was home to 13,500 folks, 5,000 fewer than today. Elevated Real Estate Schnaars has lived her whole life in the area. Until 1984 she was in aExperience house in South Orange, when, like many aging adults, she found some-thing smaller, in her case an apartment on the far side of Maplewood.HerstoryencapsulatesboththepleasuresandthestrugglesofDiscover why sellers trust Stacie LevySOMA, a residential community defined by its high taxes and its family houses.How does a person of average means grow old here? Stacie LevyI think about if I can retire in the area, says Maplewood MayorSales AssociateDean Dafis somewhat ruefully. As a housing advocate and an em- stacie.levy@compass.comployee in New Jerseys Division of Housing, Dafis understands thec: 917.686.3821issue better than most. He also hopes to have a hand in changing theo: 973.310.6816way we think of it. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by equal housing opportunity laws.In Maplewood, in fact, he helped craft a forward-looking ordi-nance that is now being used as a model statewide. That ordinance allows what are called Accessory Dwelling UnitsADUs for short; these are small, habitable spaces carved out of an existing dwelling orJOIN & SUPPORT JESPYlot; they can be an addition to an original structure, a retrofitted space within a structure, a converted garage or even a small, stand-aloneAT THEbuilding on site. They are designed to offer additional independent living on a single family lot, and many believe they are the buildingULTIMATE COOK-OFF!of the future.Although initially conceived of as a means of accommodating ag-ing parents, it is increasingly talked about as a cost-effective, sustain- OF THEBATTLE CHEFSable method of developing for alla way to make living in SOMA affordable to more people. A BENEFIT FOR JESPY HOUSESouth Orange is working on a similar ordinance, although there are still issues to be hammered out, most specifically around howThursday, June 23, 2022 - 6pmthose structures should be taxed. Orange Lawn Tennis Club, South Orange, NJBut those are not the only options the towns are pursuing. Both South Orange and Maplewood have seen an explosion in the numberPlease join us for a fun evening to raise of large apartment buildings in recent years. critical funds for JESPY House, a South Karen Hartshorn Hilton says the hope is that at least some of thoseOrange nonprofit that supports adults apartmentswhich tend to be expensivewill become homes for olderwith Intellectual & Developmental adults. Each of the buildings going up now, she says, is required to haveDisabilities.affordable units, although it is illegal to set aside affordable units forEnjoy a real chef competition with seniors. They have to join the same pool as everyone else. Chef Ivan of Orange Lawn Tennis Club The apartments are a double-edged sword, of course. The mam- battling it out with Chef Tony of moth block-wide building rising on South Orange Avenue promisesEdgewood Country Club.to bring a swath of new living spaces to town. But it will also changeFor sponsorship and ticket the landscape of the main street forever. And the building that longinformation, scan this code,housed Grunings was torn down to make way for it. visit www.jespy.org, or emailevents@jespy.org.feature story /31'