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Township committee adopts mediation agreement with Fair Share Housing Center, approves denser development and rental set‑asides
Summary
The township committee adopted Resolution 25‑257, approving a mediation agreement with Fair Share Housing Center that increases allowable density at two sites (500 West Main Street and the Gothal Road extension) and expands rental set‑asides on Greenwood Avenue/Godwin Avenue and 475 Lafayette Avenue; the vote was recorded as affirmative by four members.
The township committee voted to adopt Resolution 25‑257 approving a mediation agreement with Fair Share Housing Center that authorizes higher housing density on two sites and expands rental set‑asides on three parcels.
An unnamed staff presenter told the committee the settlement grew out of a challenge to the township's housing element that was adopted by the planning board in June and later endorsed by the committee. According to the presenter, Fair Share Housing Center filed its challenge at the end of August, and the parties held three settlement conferences before reaching the mediation agreement contained in Resolution 25‑257.
Under the agreement the township will allow increased densities at 500 West Main Street and the Gothal Road extension area. The settlement also increases the set‑aside for rental units in the Greenwood Avenue/Godwin Avenue area and at 475 Lafayette Avenue, the presenter said. The stated purpose of the changes is to finalize the settlement, protect the township's zoning rights and enable the adoption of an amended housing element.
A committee member thanked staff and outside participants for their work on the settlement, naming "Dave" and "Matt," the township's housing planner, Judge Sap Peterson, representatives from Fair Share Housing (transcribed as "Fair Housing SMA" and "Adam"), and special master Frank Vanish for their cooperation in reaching the agreement.
The roll-call vote on Resolution 25‑257 recorded affirmative votes by Miss Bugdanski, Mr. Lane, Mr. Shepard and Mayor Bonto; the chair announced the motion was approved and the committee adjourned.
Next procedural steps indicated in the meeting record are adoption of the amended housing element and implementation of the settlement terms; no dates for implementation or numerical unit counts were specified in the transcript.
