Holmdel Will Advocate For Its Affordable Housing Plan In Court

HOLMDEL, NJ - Township officials will go to court Monday in the hope that their fair-share affordable housing lawsuit can be settled in a way that will prevent further housing lawsuits for the next eight years.

In its first round, officials said Holmdel had an obligation to provide more than 700 units but officials maintain they have made progress and so are up to their third round of 297 units.

Interested persons may come before Superior Court Judge Dennis R. O'Brien at 10 a.m. Monday to present testimony either before or against the proposed settlement. People had until Dec. 4 to submit written comments during what is officially called a fairness hearing for Holmdel's Housing Element and its fair-share compliance plan for affordable housing between 1987 and 2025.

According to the hearing notice, its purpose is two-fold: to determine whether Holmdel and the Fair Share Housing Center is fair and reasonable to low- and moderate-income households.

The second purpose is for the court to determine whether Holmdel has met its obligation to provide a realistic opportunity to satisfy its prior round, rehabilitation and third round fair share of the regional need for affordable housing.

These include a prior round obligation of 768 units, a rehabilitation obligation of 37 units, and a prospective need third round obligation of 297 units.

The township seeks an order formally approving the settlement, subject to appropriate conditions that may be imposed by the court that will lead to a judgment of compliance and which will entitle the township to protection from any Mount Laurel builder's remedy lawsuit through 2025.

Officials said their prior obligation was met in increments with Holmdel Mews providing 12 units, Hidden Woods providing 16 units, Gracewood Glen has nine, Fox Chase has eight, Palmer Square has 33, Orchards has 101, Holmdel Meadows has eight and Holmdel Village has 70.

The township also negotiated for Regional Contribution Agreements with the city of Trenton to provide 71 units and with nearby Keansburg for 313 units. Holmdel also maintains it is entitled to rental bonuses for Holmdel Mews, eight units, Laurel Village with 50 units and Holmdel Village with 23 units.

In the third round, the township also agreed to adopt inclusionary zoning for North Beers Street, Palmer Avenue, Route 35 and Middle Road. The Lucent redevelopment site also would be used for some affordable units.

Holmdel also will develop or utilize existing relationships with agencies and groups that work with the poor to let them know of affordable housing opportunities in the area, according to the proposed agreement which was first discussed at a Township Committee meeting in August and which is stored in the archives section for township records.

The township also wants credit for 37 units to be rehabilitated."It is a court-mandated requirement the town has," said Mayor Gregory Buontempo of the upcoming hearing.

Holmdel has a court hearing Monday. Image via Shutterstock.

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