MILLSTONE – Officials in Millstone Township are taking action to provide opportunities for the development of affordable housing for very low income individuals and families.
On May 20, the Township Committee introduced an ordinance that will, if adopted, amend the land use ordinance by revising a section in the zoning regulation article.
The section will be amended to establish a provision which will state that accessory apartments will be developed for and be affordable to very low income households and conform in all respects with the eligibility and affordability requirements of the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (COAH).
As stated in the ordinance, the revision will help Millstone Township meet its state mandated obligation to provide opportunities for the development of affordable housing. The revision will require that all accessory apartments be affordable to very low income households.
Affordable housing is defined as housing that is sold or rented at below market rates to individuals and families whose income meets certain guidelines. Very low income is one category within the guidelines. Other categories are moderate income and low income.
According to township officials, Millstone’s obligation is 231 affordable housing units.
The obligation to provide affordable housing has been mandated by New Jersey’s courts, which determined COAH was not enforcing regulations to create affordable housing which the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled must be constructed throughout the state.
A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for June 17. The committee may adopt the ordinance that evening.
In other business, the committee introduced an ordinance that will, if adopted, prohibit individuals from operating any motor vehicle including two-wheel vehicles, mini-bikes, trail bikes, motor scooters and go-carts in a manner that will endanger or is likely to endanger the safety or property of any person, including the operator of the vehicle, or damage public property.
The ordinance will also prohibit individuals from damaging or defacing structures, buildings, parking lots, benches, signs or any other property owned by the township in park areas or on municipally owned property.
A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for June 3. Committee members may adopt the ordinance that evening.
