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Hazlet officials take first step to rezone farm for affordable housing

Municipal officials in Hazlet have introduced an ordinance that would, if adopted, rezone Stone Road Meadows Farm to create an affordable housing zone.

Municipal officials said rezoning the property would accommodate the development of affordable housing at that location. The Stone Road Meadows Farm property is located on Route 36.

Affordable housing is defined as housing that is sold or rented at below market rates to individuals and families whose income meets certain guidelines.

The Stone Road Meadows Farm property is identified as block 65, lot 1, according to the ordinance.

According to www.stateinfoservices.com, the property is owned by Granada Estates Inc.

The ordinance was introduced on March 19. Mayor Scott Aagre, Deputy Mayor Michael Glackin, Committeeman James McKay, Committeeman Mike Sachs and Committeewoman Tara Corcoran-Clark voted to introduce the ordinance without comment.

A public hearing on the ordinance has been scheduled for the Township Committee’s April 16 meeting. Residents may comment on or ask questions about the ordinance at that time. Committee members may vote to adopt the ordinance following the public hearing.

The ordinance states that no more than 312 residential units may be constructed at the property. Of that total, 63 units will be designated as affordable housing. Nine units will be reserved for very low income households.

The ordinance states that a maximum of 20 percent (13 units) of the affordable units will have one bedroom. At least 30 percent (19 units) of the affordable units will have two bedrooms. At least 20 percent (13 units) of the affordable units will have three bedrooms, according to the ordinance.

According to the ordinance, “the affordable units will be credit-worthy against the township’s round three affordable housing obligations and thus shall comply with (New Jersey’s) round two regulations, Uniform Housing Affordability Controls, the Fair Housing Act, including the 13 percent very low income requirement, and all other applicable laws.”

Permitted accessory uses at the Stone Road Meadows Farm site would include a clubhouse, garages and off-street parking.

The market rate units that could be built at the site would be age-restricted, according to the ordinance.

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