HOWELL – The number of affordable housing units that may eventually be constructed in Howell has not been determined and remains the focus of a matter before a state Superior Court judge.
Affordable housing is defined as housing that is sold or rented at below market rates to individuals and families whose income meets regional guidelines. Courts have ruled that New Jersey municipalities have an obligation to provide opportunities for the development of such housing within their borders.
Howell officials recently posted a map online which indicates the locations where affordable housing could be constructed. Some tracts have a site plan while other locations are only in the concept stage for potential development.
Affordable housing continues to be a topic of discussion in Howell and on July 5 Township Attorney McKenna Torcivia was asked, “Has the township reached a settlement with the court or the Fair Share Housing Center on an affordable housing plan?”
Torcivia responded, saying, “No, the case is currently before Judge Jamie Perri and a decision as to what our total obligation is has not been made.
“We attended a court mandated mediation session with the Fair Share Housing Center, however, the township was not willing to settle on a number of 1,300 (units) as proposed by Fair Share.
“At this time, there are no builder’s remedy lawsuits pending. The only litigation pending is the matter before Judge Perri and all towns in Monmouth County are in the same situation,” she said.
The Fair Share Housing Center, Cherry Hill, is an organization that advocates for the construction of affordable housing throughout New Jersey. The organization’s advocacy sometimes results in litigation with municipalities.
A builder’s remedy refers to a lawsuit that can be filed by a developer who seeks approval to construct affordable housing where a municipality has failed to make adequate provision for low and moderate income housing. In some cases a court permits the developer to construct multiple market price housing units for every affordable housing unit that is built.
The following sites are under consideration for affordable housing in Howell:
• West Farms Road. The Walters Group proposes to develop more than 27 acres into 72 units consisting of 14 one-bedroom, 42 two-bedroom and 15 three-bedroom units.
• More than 30 acres on Lakewood-Allenwood Road just west of Sally Street. The potential site would consist of 212 total units (108 apartments and 104 townhomes) including 42 affordable units. The Windsor Companies could develop this property.
• 27 acres on Ramtown-Greenville Road, opposite Moses Milch Drive. The potential site would consist of 64 units, potentially townhomes with garages; including 13 affordable units. The listed developer is Cody Milch.
• More than 88 acres on Route 547, just south of a New Jersey Natural Gas facility. The potential developer would be American Properties.
• Nearly 100 acres on Fort Plains Road just south of Sunnyside Road. The potential site would include 269 units (71 single-family homes, 144 townhomes with garages and 54 affordable housing apartments). The listed developer is K. Hovnanian Homes.
• More than 30 acres on Fort Plains Road just south of West Farms Road; potentially 140 units consisting of 28 one-bedroom units, 84 two-bedroom units and 28 three-bedroom units. The possible developer is Pennrose.
• More than 18 acres on Route 9 south, just north of the Mark-O-Lite Sign Company. Potentially 300 units with a community clubhouse, pool and outdoor amenities; 90 one-bedroom units and 210 two-bedroom units in a three-story building, with 60 affordable housing units. The potential developer would be Kenneth Zaback.
• More than 217 acres at the northern dead end of Tyrpak Road. The potential site would include 404 units and would consist of two-story and three-story buildings, each with 24 rental units; 101 units would be affordable housing. The listed developer is Tyrpak Road Group LLC.
• More than 52 acres on the northeast corner of Route 9 and West Farms Road. The potential site would include 130 single-family lots and 42 apartments which would be developed by American Properties.
• More than 18 acres on Casino Drive just east of Route 9. The potential site would include 208 apartments with 69 affordable housing units which would be developed by Nefilim LLC.
• Nearly 30 acres between Howell and Okerson roads just off Route 33. The potential site would include 278 units (154 townhouses, 64 stacked townhouses and 60 affordable housing apartments) that would be developed by Lennar.
• 11 acres on the west side of Fairfield Road just south of the Route 33 bypass. The potential site would include 152 units with 36 affordable housing units, that would be developed by Stavola Realty Co.
• 42 acres on the east side of Fairfield Road just south of Route 33 bypass. The potential site would include 273 townhouses (219 market rate units and 54 affordable housing units). The potential site would be developed by Frisa I, LLC and K. Hovnanian Homes.
• More than 59 acres on the east side of Yellowbrook Road just south of Route 33, that would potentially be 396 mixed apartments with 60 affordable housing units or 200 townhouses with 30 affordable housing units to be developed by Regal Homes.
• More than 150 acres on the north side of Birdsall Road. This potential site would consist of 139 units (66 single-family homes, 35 townhomes and 38 affordable housing apartments) or 190 units (152 townhomes and 38 affordable housing apartments), to be developed by Ryan Homes and The Brickyard LLC.
• 34 acres on Route 9 just south of Lanes Mill Road and out to Kent Road. The potential site would include 490 units (392 two-bedroom and 98 one-bedroom apartments), 108 of which would be affordable housing units. This project also includes retail space along Route 9 which is proposed as a microbrewery. The listed developer is Down to Earth Farms.
• 31 acres on Route 9 south, just north of the Estelle Lane jughandle. This potential site would include 112 residential units (64 townhomes and 48 apartments); there would be 28 affordable housing units. Pool Town owner Eric Panayiotou is presenting options.
• More than 6 acres on Route 524 at the Yellowbrook Road intersection; 72 apartments (24 of which are affordable housing units). The developer is Elon Associates LLC.
