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Bernards Committee adopts housing spending plan and records 247-unit affordable‑housing extension with Ridge Oak
Summary
On Feb. 24 the Bernards Township Committee adopted Resolution 2026‑177, a spending plan tied to its fourth‑round fair‑share housing element, and approved Resolution 2026‑189 to record an agreement extending affordable‑housing controls on 247 age‑restricted units with Ridge Oak through Oct. 31, 2072; the committee clarified the extension is voluntary and not currently counted toward fifth‑round obligations.
The Bernards Township Committee on Feb. 24 approved two housing‑related actions: a spending plan required for the township’s fourth‑round housing element (Resolution 2026‑177) and an affordable‑housing agreement with Ridge Oak Management Inc. and Ridge Inc. that extends controls on 247 age‑restricted affordable units to Oct. 31, 2072 (Resolution 2026‑189).
Township staff summary: Mr. Balardo said the spending plan had been reviewed by the planning board last May, was included as a draft in the housing element, and was slightly updated. He said the spending plan is a required component of meeting fourth‑round obligations and that the township intends to file the plan with the court before March 15 if adopted.
On the Ridge Oak agreement, staff said the extension records those 247 units with the county clerk so they can be banked as potential credits for future rounds; Ridge Oak is providing the extension at no financial cost to the township. Committee members and staff emphasized there are no current fifth‑round obligations and that recording the agreement is a planning measure rather than an immediate allocation. The committee moved, seconded and approved both resolutions by roll call; the roll calls recorded Miss Acy, Mr. Hodes, Mr. McN, Mr. Tompkins and Mayor Dwarte McCarthy voting yes.
What it means: The spending plan is a procedural document for court review in the affordable‑housing compliance process. The Ridge Oak agreement preserves potential future credits by extending existing affordability controls; it does not by itself create new subsidies or immediate obligations for the township.
Next steps: Township staff will file the spending plan with the court before the March 15 deadline and will record the Ridge Oak agreement with the Somerset County Clerk. Any future use of banked credits would be subject to planning review and applicable state court or administrative procedures.
