Resident questions DCA changes to affordable-housing numbers as planner reevaluates sites

During public comment, resident Allen Swanson asked for a status update on the borough's affordable-housing obligation, noting the community is approaching a deadline and referencing a figure cited in the meeting transcript (210).

Swanson said he had asked about the issue at earlier meetings and wanted to know where the borough stood. Council members and staff responded that the planner has received additional data from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) that identifies specific parcels potentially counted as developable land; that new data requires a site-by-site review to determine accuracy (for example, whether parcels are wetlands or adjacent to rail lines and therefore unsuitable for development).

A staff message referenced in the meeting said the planner "finished working through the DCA fourth round numbers" but that the DCA subsequently released additional data last week requiring re-evaluation. Council members told the public that once the planner completes the reassessment, the report and any updated numbers will be shared publicly.

Swanson and other residents said the iterative nature of the DCA process is frustrating and asked for clarity about the timeline; council members said they had not yet received the final updated analysis and encouraged residents to watch for the planner's report. One resident suggested the borough post the recording of a recent DCA webinar that explains the methodology; the council said that recording would be made available to the public.

The exchange did not produce a new decision or directive in the meeting; council members said staff will share the planner's updated assessment once it is received and complete.