Stanhope council agrees to meet with developer about adding Lot 11 to Stanhope Mountain overlay

Mayor Ellen Wronko and Administrator Kevin McNeilly told the council that a developer has asked to revisit the Stanhope Mountain overlay to include Lot 11, which was omitted when the COAH plan was submitted. Administrator McNeilly said the developer asked for discussion now that the submission is complete, and he recommended coordinated frontage development from the Black Forest to Acorn Street if Lot 11 were included.

Attorney Ursula Leo advised that adding Lot 11 could require rezoning or board review and would not automatically alter the previously submitted COAH document. Leo said the Borough still has unmet affordable-housing obligations that must be addressed with any application. Councilman Wachterhauser said he was open to warehouse development in the area but opposed adding housing because of how the earlier process unfolded.

The governing body agreed that it would be beneficial to meet with the developer and asked Administrator McNeilly to invite the developer to the May 26 meeting for a formal discussion. No zoning change or decision was made at the April 28 meeting; the council instructed staff to place the developer on the May 26 agenda so the governing body can hear the proposal and determine whether rezoning or a board application is required.

Next steps: the developer will be invited to the May 26 meeting; any request to expand the overlay will be evaluated for compliance with the Borough’s affordable housing obligations and likely require either a formal rezoning ordinance or board review.