Council adopts two affordable‑housing zoning ordinances amid debate over planning‑board voting and neighborhood concerns

The Township of Washington council on June 8 held public hearings and adopted two zoning ordinances to create affordable‑housing districts on Pasc Road and the Valley Bank site.

Ordinance 26‑04, which establishes an AH‑2 district for the 660 Pasc Road site (block 2110 lots 1 and 6–11), drew extended public comment from nearby residents concerned about driveway location, traffic, buffer width, building height and setback, fencing, and the visibility of affordable units. Richard Miller and other Northgate residents asked about a mandated 30‑foot buffer, the height of required evergreen plantings, and the availability of fences to prevent residents from walking through the buffer.

During discussion, Councilman Alman raised an additional procedural issue: at a recent planning‑board meeting the council’s class‑three representative was told not to vote on a referral, which Alman said was an improper denial of a statutory right and may have affected the planning‑board referral. Township attorney Shan Bailey acknowledged she would review the planning‑board decision and counsel’s advice but told the council that, "whether that decision and opinion was erroneous or not does not invalidate or call for the council not to consider the ordinance tonight"; she said she would confer further with planning‑board counsel and advised that the council may consider the ordinance so long as a quorum and a majority were present.

After public comment and debate, council proceeded to vote on Ordinance 26‑04. The final roll call recorded three affirmative votes, two abstentions, and no recorded negative votes; the ordinance was adopted at second reading.

Ordinance 26‑11, establishing an AH‑1 district for the Valley Bank property (block 2329 lot 2), also proceeded through second reading and a public hearing. Residents asked whether stacked townhouse units would have entrances on Jackson or Pasc Road, how the conceptual plan translates into final plans, and when traffic studies and floor plans would be available. Officials said the ordinance sets the conceptual zoning standards; detailed site plans, traffic reports and architectural plans will be presented to the planning board at the site‑plan hearing. Council adopted Ordinance 26‑11 at second reading on a roll call that included one abstention.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 26‑04 (660 Pasc Road, AH‑2): adopted on second reading (final roll call: 3 yes, 0 no, 2 abstain). - Ordinance 26‑11 (Valley Bank, AH‑1): adopted on second reading (final roll call: 4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain).

What happens next: The ordinances establish the zoning framework but do not finalize detailed site plans or engineering approvals. Residents were advised to attend upcoming planning‑board hearings, where developers will present traffic analyses, landscape plans, and final layouts; most questions about driveway alignment, buffer plantings and fence options will be addressed there or during site‑plan review.