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Planning board hears update on affordable‑housing obligations and state plan comments
Summary
Planner reported the borough’s binding resolution and housing obligations were submitted and that challenges have begun; the board discussed a smaller working committee, vacant‑land adjustments, and preparing comments on the new New Jersey State Plan.
The Frenchtown Planning Board received an update on affordable‑housing obligations during its Jan. 22 meeting and was told the borough is in the statutory challenge window after submitting a binding resolution. The planner (speaker 6) said the borough’s rehab obligation is 11 units and the fourth‑round obligation is 22 units, with several prior‑round items still active; challengers have until the statutory deadline to file.
Planner (speaker 6) told the board that a vacant‑land adjustment has been prepared and that the goal is to complete the housing plan by June 1 so hearings and governing‑body endorsement can follow. The board agreed to slim the affordable‑housing committee to a smaller working group (mayor, council president, two Johns, the chair and the planner) to be more nimble during the deadline period.
Members also discussed whether existing units sold at affordability levels can count toward obligations. The planner explained qualifying units must meet price or rental affordability criteria, occupant‑income limits, and long‑term deed restrictions (40 years for rentals, 30 years for for‑sale units under this round). "Any housing unit, depending on pricing cost, whether it’s rental or purchase, could be an affordable housing unit," a committee member (speaker 10) said.
The board also debated commenting on the New Jersey State Plan (the first update in 23 years). Members expressed concern about language in the state plan that characterizes local zoning as "antiquated" and flagged potential conflicts between the state plan’s housing goals and environmental protections; the planner said towns can submit comments through the state portal and that the board may need to prepare supporting documentation to demonstrate consistency.
Next steps: the planner will proceed with the housing plan timeline targeting June 1, staff will circulate the vacant‑land adjustment to the committee, and the board may prepare cross‑acceptance comments on the state plan to forward to council.
