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Highlands council adopts zoning amendment to meet Fair Housing rules and approves five housing resolutions
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Summary
The Borough of Highlands Mayor and Council on March 12 passed Ordinance O2603, amending Chapter 26 of the zoning code to address Fair Housing Act and Uniform Housing Affordability Controls compliance, and adopted five related resolutions including appointing Acuity Consulting Services LLC as the borough's administrative agent.
The Borough of Highlands Mayor and Council adopted Ordinance O2603 on second and final reading at a March 12 special meeting, updating sections of Chapter 26 of the zoning ordinance to address requirements of the Fair Housing Act and the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls.
The ordinance and a package of five housing-related resolutions were presented by the clerk and took effect after the council voted to carry the motions. "R26O82, endorsing the amended round 4 housing element and fair share plan adopted by the land use board," the clerk read when introducing the consent agenda; the clerk also read R26O83 (an affirmative marketing plan), R26O84 (receipt and review of a land-use consistency report), R26O85 (an updated suspense spending plan) and R26O86 (appointment of Acuity Consulting Services LLC as the Borough Highlands administrative agent).
Why it matters: The ordinance changes the borough zoning code to align local zoning language and process with federal and state affordable-housing compliance requirements, which can affect how the borough evaluates and approves housing projects and fair-share obligations going forward.
Votes at a glance: • Consent agenda — Resolutions R26O82 through R26O86: adopted (clerk announced "Motion carries to adopt resolutions R26O82 through R26O86"). • Ordinance O2603 — Amending Chapter 26 to address Fair Housing Act and Uniform Housing Affordability Controls compliance: passed on second and final reading (the presiding officer announced the motion carried).
What the meeting recorded: Council business on March 12 focused on the housing ordinance and related administrative steps. The clerk read the public-hearing notice and ordinance language for O2603; the presiding officer solicited questions from the council and the public, and, after receiving none, closed the hearing and moved to a vote. The council also heard a public-portion statement establishing a three-minute limit for speakers and a prohibition on discussing certain personnel matters; no members of the public spoke during the allotted time.
The meeting packet showed the borough gave required public notice on Feb. 19, 2026, and formal action was taken at the special meeting. The clerk announced the meeting adjourned at 07:50.
The council did not record detailed vote tallies or mover/second names for the motions in the available transcript; the minutes state only that motions carried for the consent agenda and for Ordinance O2603.
