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Hazlet officials approve preliminary plan to address affordable housing issue

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 Municipal officials in Hazlet have endorsed a preliminary compliance plan that could, if approved by a state Superior Court judge, help to satisfy the town’s affordable housing obligation.

A fairness hearing reviewing the settlement and the proposed compliance plan will be held before Judge Dennis R. O’Brien, sitting in Freehold, on Dec. 19, officials said.

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During a meeting of the Hazlet Township Committee on Nov. 8, members of the governing body voted 2-1 to approve the preliminary compliance plan.

Mayor Scott Aagre and committeeman Michael Glackin voted “yes.” Committeewoman Barbara Ronchetti voted “no.” Committeeman James DiNardo was absent. Committeewoman Sue Kiley recused herself from the matter.

According to a resolution outlining the matter, O’Brien appointed Philip B. Caton as the Special Court Master to assist “good faith negotiations” between Hazlet officials and Highview Homes, LLC.

Highview Homes has proposed developing a 17-acre property currently occupied by the Holy Family School, which is located at 727 Route 36. The developer seeks to construct 146 market rate units and 26 affordable housing units.

A second entity is seeking to develop Stone Road Meadows Farm on Route 36, which is across the highway from Holy Family School. Hazlet’s initial compliance plan proposed 249 market rate housing units for people of all ages and 63 family affordable rental units at that location.

The revised compliance plan now provides for the 249 market rate units to be market rate senior units, and for 62 family affordable rental units, Township Attorney James Gorman said.

Aagre said the initial proposed compliance plan was met with “overwhelming resistance” from residents. Committee members postponed the consideration of that plan after the outcry from residents in August.

During the township’s consideration of the affordable housing issue, Highview Homes filed a legal challenge against Hazlet.

In an interview on Nov. 13, Gorman said the preliminary compliance plan agreed upon by the township and Highview Homes “is the result of the subsequent mediation sessions” mandated by court officials.

According to the resolution, the compliance plan is the best course of action for Hazlet because “it avoids the expenditure of finite public resources” and “expedites the construction of safe, decent housing for the region’s low and moderate income households.”

If the compliance plan is approved by the judge, municipal officials will be required to introduce and adopt an ordinance pertaining to the matter within 60 days, the resolution states.

If the ordinance is not adopted by the committee, the compliance agreement will be terminated. The resolution did not state what will occur if officials fail to adopt the ordinance.

Speaking about the revised compliance plan that will go before the judge in December, resident Bill Shewan, who was among the hundreds of residents who opposed the development plan during the summer, said, “We’re right back to where we were.”

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