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Colts Neck officials say negotiations, appeals continue as court deadlines and rezoning orders loom
Summary
Committee members reported ongoing negotiations with developers and a May 20 appellate argument over a past $2 million water/sewer obligation; packets offering $40,000 to homeowners at The Grand to extend affordability controls have been mailed and 13 signed returns received so far.
Township leaders told the Colts Neck Township Committee they are actively negotiating with developers and pursuing legal avenues after a recent court order related to round-three and round-four affordable-housing obligations.
Deputy Mayor Bazetta said packets were mailed to homeowners at The Grand offering $40,000 in exchange for extending affordability controls; he reported 13 signed documents returned so far and said payments will be issued in the middle to latter part of next month once paperwork is complete. “As we receive more documents, more payouts will occur,” Bazetta said.
Officials also updated the public on litigation and court scheduling. Township attorneys argued an appeal on May 20 in the Appellate Division over an earlier order that would have required a $2 million town contribution for water and sewer infrastructure in an overlay zone. Committee members said the appellate argument is complete and they expect a decision in a few months.
Committee members described a 60-day extension granted by a case-management judge to continue negotiations with developers on a recent rezoning order tied to round-four obligations. Mayor Viola and other members emphasized that the town lacks uncontested land, water and sewer capacity, and that those constraints make delivering a “fully baked” housing plan difficult within the court’s timelines. Several members said they remain engaged in daily negotiations and are considering a range of options, including all-affordable developments when feasible.
Members warned that losing court immunity would allow developer-initiated exclusionary-zoning litigation and could force the township to cede control over local planning to courts. Officials said they continue to weigh financing alternatives, developer proposals, preservation and acquisition strategies and that the new legal team and counsel assignments aim to clarify responsibilities for different matters going forward.
The committee said it would report further developments as negotiations and appeals proceed; no final zoning or project approvals were announced at the meeting.
