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Somerset council authorizes lobbyists to seek exemption from Starter and Silver Homes Act; council president objects
Summary
The Somerset Town Council authorized its lobbying team to present amendments to the Starter and Silver Homes Act seeking an exemption for small, dense municipalities like Somerset. The motion passed on a voice vote; Council President Barr registered opposition. A resident’s written comment urged deferral, citing short notice and limited public materials.
The Somerset Town Council voted on Feb. 6 to authorize the town’s lobbying team to present proposed amendments to the Starter and Silver Homes Act that would seek an exemption for small municipal corporations or craft other edits to mitigate the law’s impact.
The motion, brought by a council member who requested this special meeting, directs the lobbying team — in consultation with the town lobbyist and the town attorney — to seek exemptions or alternative amendments to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that would preserve Somerset’s local land‑use controls. The town attorney confirmed the motion as legally and technically sufficient and noted scheduled testimony dates before DHCD.
Why it mattered: Council members said the legislation, as drafted, would allow townhouses by right, reduce the minimum lot…
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