Bedminster board unanimously approves master-plan amendment to confirm affordable-housing compliance

The Bedminster Township Land Use Board voted unanimously on Jan. 9 to approve an amendment to the township master plan updating the 2025 housing element and fair share plan and to authorize staff to notify the township committee that proposed ordinances updating affordable-housing regulations are not inconsistent with the master plan.

Tom Collins, who identified himself during the hearing, told the board the amendment reflects a consent order with the Fair Share Housing Center and ‘‘confirms the method by which you are fully compliant’’ with the state requirements for Round 4 of Mount Laurel programs. Collins said the proposed ordinances would incorporate by reference the 2025 amendments to the state affordable-housing regulations and ‘‘restat[e] or update all of the requirements that run along with requirements of affordable housing, also requirements of mandatory set asides.’’

Collins said the changes are largely ‘‘form’’ ordinances intended to keep the township current with state rules and to preserve ‘‘immunity against builders remedy lawsuits.’’ He urged the board to open the hearing to the public; no members of the public were present in the room or online. After a motion and second, the board conducted a roll-call vote and recorded unanimous ‘‘Aye’’ responses to both the resolution approving the amendment and to authorizing staff (Janine) to send a letter to the township committee stating the proposed ordinances are not inconsistent with the master plan.

Board members confirmed procedural deadlines mentioned during discussion: Collins referenced a March 15 deadline tied to the statute he cited and said the township was aiming for ‘‘hopefully, an April 15 deadline for court approval’’ of Round 4 certification. The board also scheduled meetings for March 5 and March 12 to address separate agenda items (AT&T and Somerset Air Service) before adjourning.

The meeting record as provided uses several spoken names during roll call and votes (for example, Mayor Jacobs; Committeeman Hickey; Mister Walter; Miss Orozana; Mister Regelius; Mister DeGiovini; Mister 1st; Mister Wilde; Mister Leonard; Chairwoman Gotcha). Some of those names and a few phrases in the transcript appear garbled or inconsistently spelled; the board’s actions and votes are recorded in the meeting transcript as unanimous approvals of the amendment and the authorization letter. The board adjourned after confirming the schedule for upcoming meetings.