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Residents raise environmental and capacity concerns as Lambertville faces new affordable-housing obligation
Summary
Speakers warned that a council-identified 14-acre hill site is unsuitable for sizable affordable housing due to an unlined former landfill, former orchard arsenic contamination, steep slopes, stormwater and sewer capacity concerns; council said it will form a committee to study options.
Residents and council members spent substantial time discussing the city’s newly reported Round 4 affordable-housing obligation and whether the town’s largest undeveloped site — a 14-acre hill parcel — is appropriate for a large housing development.
A public commenter warned that the parcel is an "unlined unclosed unregulated landfill" with unknown boundaries, historical industrial dumping and piles of debris. The commenter also said there was evidence of high arsenic levels from past orchard pesticide use and raised concerns about steep slopes, stormwater runoff and sewer impacts, estimating a potential 50,000 gallons per day increase to the city’s main trunk sewer. The speaker warned, “it just becomes more and more of an albatross and not a solution.”
Council members and residents said that Round 4 adds 39 units on top of an existing 28-unit obligation from earlier rounds. Officials emphasized that environmental and infrastructure constraints, including stormwater and sewer capacity and contaminated soils, must inform site selection and planning. One council member recommended engaging professionals to determine whether the Round 4 number is accurate for the town and to assess feasible buildable land.
Council President Lambert said the affordable housing committee will begin work in January and that staff will provide a memo that explains the Round 4 allocation and next steps for the council and public. The council discussed possible subcommittees and more public education on rules and constraints.
No specific site was approved; members emphasized additional study, professional analysis and public involvement before any formal plan or rezoning is adopted.
