Kala Kachmar , @NewsQuipPublished 3:03 p.m. ET Jan. 17, 2017 | Updated 14 hours ago
A Monmouth County judge has ruled in favor of a Howell resident who challenged the zoning for a controversial affordable housing complex, but the setback doesn’t necessarily spell the end of the venture.
Judge Jamie S. Perri ruled that the town didn’t give sufficient public notice for two key project ordinances, one creating the required affordable housing zone and the other applying that zone to the parcel where Howell Family Apartments would be built, at the intersection of West Farms and Fort Plans roads off Route 9.
The $21 million project would help the town fulfill its state-mandated affordable housing obligation.
This is such bullshit. Why all of a sudden this hysteria of pushing for affordable housing. Whose agenda is this? Why stuff nice towns and villages with buildings that are out of character? Why force villages that people have worked very hard to build and live in to bring low income families who will certainly affect the quality of life? Why urbanize beautiful places that residents are so proud of and care so much about ? This will destroy these places and will provide no value to anyone. If you want affordable housing build in places that are already messed up such Hackensack, Rutheford etc. I am sure I am not the only who is stressed out about this nonsense.
Sudden? Its been like 20 years of litigation in New Jersey. It is just finally getting resolved. Some communities long ago faced this reality and adjusted their planning to reflect it. In others, people resisted every effort to change and now they will be paying the piper with far more affordable housing units.
Please also note that if done correctly these units can include senior housing, housing for autistic adults, etc. With planning and foresight there are ways to comply with the affordable housing requirements without building a large public housing tower. But to do this requires citizens to understand the law and to support efforts by elected officials and city planners to find the best solution instead of knee jerk opposition at every turn.