Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing And Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frenchtown introduces multiple ordinances to implement Fair Share housing plan ahead of March deadline
Summary
Council introduced ordinances (including amendments to allow ECHO units and to update affordable housing and development fee rules) tied to a Fair Share Housing mediation agreement; items were referred to the planning board and scheduled for public hearing March 4.
The Frenchtown Borough Council on Feb. 4 introduced a package of ordinances intended to implement changes to the borough's 2025 housing element and Fair Share Plan, including an amendment to permit elder cottage housing opportunity (ECHO) units in certain zones and updates to the affordable housing and development fee ordinances.
An agency official advising the council explained that the ordinances (listed in the agenda as Ordinances 9‑49, 9‑50 and 9‑51) and related resolutions are in response to a mediation agreement with Fair Share Housing following a prior challenge. The advisor said the package will be referred to the planning board for consistency review and noted that part of the package includes modest density changes to the Frenchtown Village Center plan to create additional affordable‑housing opportunities. "Part of your affordable housing program provides for an opportunity to have ECHO units in certain sections of town," the advisor said, describing eligibility and bulk‑requirement limits.
The advisor told the council the actions were driven in part by an amendment to New Jersey fair housing law and said municipalities participating in the program must complete required actions by March 15 to preserve immunity from a builder's‑remedy lawsuit. The council scheduled a public hearing and second reading on March 4.
Council moved to introduce the ordinances during the meeting. For Ordinance 9‑49 (the ECHO amendment), Councilwoman Bernhardt moved to introduce and Councilwoman Warner seconded; a roll call recorded the members present as voting yes to introduce the ordinance. Subsequent ordinances in the package were introduced with roll calls recorded and will return after planning‑board review.
No final adoption occurred at the Feb. 4 meeting; the items are scheduled for public hearing and potential final action on the council’s March 4 meeting agenda.
