Committee Hears Update from Visioning Meetings

COURT HOUSE — Middle Township’s visionaries have spoken and they don’t want high-density developments with affordable apartments in this community.
In the light of recent controversy surrounding two large affordable housing complex applications before the township zoning board, local officials in May and June held public meetings to give residents a better understanding of the issues and to discuss the township’s obligation to provide affordable housing and solicit feedback on how to do so without altering the community.
At a July 6 meeting, Middle Township committee and the public were given a report on the outcome of those meetings by Bob
Noel, who chairs the township Master Plan Committee.
According to Noel, the first meeting gave a background on the “Mount Laurel” decisions that force municipalities to provide affordable housing, as well as Middle Township’s COAH obligation, which is currently calculated at over 900 units by 2018.
The township decided to participate in the COAH process in order to protect itself from expensive lawsuits by builders who wanted to develop dense affordable housing projects in areas not zoned for that use.
Noel said at the second meeting, the group focused on four key points: kinds of affordable housing projects; recommended COAH regulation changes; ways the township can meet its requirements; and types of housing appropriate for the township.
According to Noel, the 40 township residents that attended the meeting showed strong support for providing affordable housing without changing the character of the community as well as “passionate discontent and non-acceptance of high density affordable housing.” He also noted that there was a strong desire to create a housing authority to deal with the needs of the community as well as a strong desire to force legislative change to the current COAH regulations.
Since those meetings, the township has already begun to address some of the issues.
Deputy Mayor Susan DeLanzo announced recently that the township was accepting applications for a housing advisory board that would “advise and provide recommendations on how to meet Middle Township’s COAH obligation to provide safe, quality housing to low and moderate income families while addressing the overall needs of the entire community”.
Several individuals in attendance at the July 6 meeting expressed interest in the housing board. DeLanzo also noted that state Sen. Jeff Van Drew has agreed to attend the Aug. 17 committee meeting to discuss how legislation would affect Middle Township.
In addition, Township Committee June 15 designated four individuals to represent the township in mediation with COAH regarding its housing plan and directed the Planning Board to hold public meetings to review the township’s COAH Fair Share Housing Plan and recommend any revisions.
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com