MANALAPAN – Market rate housing and affordable housing will be permitted at a location in Manalapan under the terms of an ordinance that was adopted during the May 27 meeting of the Township Committee.
The ordinance establishes an affordable housing overlay zone on a 57-acre parcel in Manalapan’s SED-2W (special economic development) and R-AG/4 (agricultural) zone on Route 33 at Iron Ore Road.
The creation of the overlay zone means guidelines will be established that will – with Planning Board approval of an application – permit the construction of multi-family housing with an inclusionary set-aside of affordable housing, according to the ordinance.
Township Attorney Roger McLaughlin said the property where the overlay zone was created is owned by the Diocese of Trenton and that Toll Brothers has submitted a concept plan for a residential development there.
McLaughlin said the zoning will allow the construction of up to 320 housing units, with a 30% set-aside for affordable housing (96 units).
An inclusionary development means the affordable housing (96 rental units) and market rate housing (224 townhouses), if such a development is eventually approved, will share the property.
Any plan that proposes development at the Route 33 and Iron Ore Road site will be subject to review by the Manalapan Planning Board. Residents will be able to comment on the plan during a public hearing before the board, McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin has said Manalapan, like other municipalities in New Jersey, is under a court order to provide opportunities for the construction of affordable housing within its borders.
Affordable housing is defined as housing that is sold or rented at below market rates to individuals and families whose income meets certain guidelines.
Manalapan has entered into a court-approved affordable housing settlement agreement which identifies the Diocese of Trenton property as a location for affordable housing in the community, McLaughlin said.