This town has not yet reached its state requirement of 10% affordable housing, according to a town official. JPI's project would bring it up to the 10% requirement but the developer would still qualify under the state's affordable housing law to receive a comprehensive permit, which means it can appeal any decision the zoning board here makes to the state.

According to the town official, "there are a lot of concerns with something that big coming into town." The project, which involves one- and two-bedroom units, would be located about a half a mile near its center on a main road, which is already congested because of recent developments. "Traffic is our biggest concern here," she tells GlobeSt.com.

JPI doesn't own the land yet, adds the official, but is in the process of purchasing it. The company is one of the country's largest developers of apartments.