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Mannington Committee adopts ordinance to enable affordable housing despite vocal public opposition
Summary
The Committee voted 2–1 on Oct. 2 to adopt Ordinance No. 25-05 amending the Memorial Hospital Redevelopment Plan to allow affordable housing; residents raised concerns about taxes, school impacts, sewer capacity and prime farmland soils during a lengthy public hearing.
The Mannington Township Committee on Oct. 2 adopted Ordinance No. 25-05, amending the Memorial Hospital Redevelopment Plan to enable development of affordable housing, after a public hearing that drew multiple residents urging delay and expressing concerns about local impacts. Mayor Asay moved to adopt the ordinance on second and final reading; Deputy Mayor Eber seconded. The roll call vote was Asay — yes; Eber — yes; DiGregorio — no.
The adoption followed a public hearing during which numerous residents sought postponement and raised specific objections. Multiple speakers said they feared higher property taxes, lower property values and potential strain on the township’s elementary school. Several also questioned whether the plan would overload the existing sewer line and who would pay for needed upgrades to roads, curbing and police services.
Solicitor Horner, who opened the committee’s explanation of the ordinance and the hearing process, told attendees that the proposal “is not Section 8 but is a way to provide affordable housing options given the current market.” He added that a third‑party Administrative Agent would oversee eligibility and occupant selection for any affordable units created under the redevelopment plan.
Committeeman DiGregorio, who referenced a planner’s timeline and submitted a Fair Share Housing Obligation 2025–2035 methodology handout for the record, pressed for more information about deadlines and alternatives, including a vacant‑land adjustment. Resident Timothy Mangold submitted a USDA handout noting that the proposed redevelopment area contains prime farmland soils; that material was entered into the record during public comment.
DiGregorio moved to table adoption, but his motion was not seconded. After the committee closed the public hearing, it proceeded to adopt the ordinance on second and final reading. The ordinance was entered into the record as “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT PLAN TO ENABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.”
The meeting record shows several members of the public asked the township to check updated deadline dates for state requirements; Solicitor Horner said he did not have updated information on new deadlines at the hearing. The committee did not revise the ordinance on the floor and adopted it as presented.
Next steps recorded in the meeting minutes indicate the ordinance is now adopted and in effect per township procedure; the minutes do not specify subsequent implementation timelines or funding mechanisms for infrastructure upgrades related to the redevelopment plan.
