Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government Meeting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Green Township Committee adopts new affordable-housing code, introduces ban on data centers and advances multiple routine measures
Summary
At its Feb. 17 meeting Green Township adopted a comprehensive Affordable Housing Requirements ordinance, introduced a township-wide ban on data centers for public hearing March 16, and approved routine financial and event resolutions; the committee also conditionally accepted the top bid for a cell-tower lease subject to a final contract and Land Use Board review.
The Green Township Committee on Feb. 17 adopted a sweeping rewrite of the township's affordable-housing ordinance, introduced a land-use ban on data centers and approved several routine financial and event resolutions in what the mayor described as a regularly scheduled meeting.
The committee voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 2026-03, which replaces the township's prior "Fair Share Plan" with a new Chapter 34 titled "Affordable Housing Requirements." Township Attorney Ursula Leo told the committee the ordinance follows the Department of Community Affairs model and is consistent with the Land Use Board attorney's memo. No members of the public spoke during that public hearing.
At an earlier public hearing on Ordinance 2026-02, which would have changed how development fees apply to expansions of single-family homes, Land Use Board member Richard Wilson urged the committee to remove the expansion language, saying the board "felt strongly that this could burden the residents as they upgrade their homes." The minutes record the roll-call outcome with no ayes and with DeYoung, Phillips, Qarmout, Rose and Mayor Raffay recorded as nays.
The committee introduced Ordinance 2026-04, which would amend township code to list "data centers" as a prohibited use in all zones; the ordinance was introduced and set for public hearing on March 16, 2026. There was no substantive discussion recorded at introduction.
The committee approved multiple routine matters, including a refund of a building-violation overpayment to a title agency, a bills list covering Jan. 30'Feb. 13, developers' escrow releases, a transfer of funds to cover storm-recovery costs, and the approval of a schedule of spring/summer recreation events with a request that Recreation reconsider the date for Green Township Day. The clerk said the Sussex County Bookmobile will resume service in the township and that schedules will be published on the township website and social media.
After a closed session on real-property and contract negotiations, the committee accepted the apparent highest bid for a lease to install a wireless communications tower on township property at 93 Airport Road; the award is conditioned on a final lease acceptable to both parties and review by the Land Use Board. The clerk said the vote accepted the bid and that the next procedural step is contract negotiation followed by Land Use Board application.
The meeting included a detailed report from Superintendent of Public Works Jason Miller about recent storms and a critically delayed salt supply; Miller told the committee crews are operating with a grit-to-salt mix and have sought county assistance to stretch available material. Two residents spoke during public comment about a proposed cell tower and road conditions near lakeshore areas.
The committee adjourned at 9:22 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for March 2, 2026.
