Committee approves land purchase for COAH

Millstone officials seek property to help satisfy affordable housing obligation.

By: Scott Morgan
   MILLSTONE — The Township Committee last week adopted a pair of ordinances designed to satisfy state requirements to provide land for affordable housing.
   The first ordinance authorized the township to purchase property from Andrew and Sandra Anselmo, while the second, a $505,000 bond ordinance, provided the money.
   Committeeman Bill Kastning said the purchase is another step toward satisfying requirements set by the state Council on Affordable Housing. Mr. Kastning said the township is looking into other properties, which, if bought, will complete Millstone’s requirements to COAH.
   Mr. Kastning said he could not divulge which properties are being considered.
   Through the Fair Housing Act of 1985, each municipality in the state is required to provide space for affordable housing.
   Mayor Evan Maltz said the properties need not be occupied, but must be available to the state upon demand. The mayor said that though no one so far has shown interest in renovating the properties, the township will provide the state with land that satisfies COAH requirements.
   Under the Fair Housing Act, certified municipalities may transfer up to 50 percent of their fair share obligations to other municipalities within the applicable housing region.
   Last year, Millstone passed a resolution to pay Asbury Park $980,000 to build 49 affordable housing units in the city, fulfilling 50 percent of the township’s obligation.