MANALAPAN – The Township Committee has set Aug. 22 as the date for a public hearing on an ordinance that will, if adopted, establish a Special Economic Development/Affordable Housing (SED/AH) overlay zone on property at Route 33 west and Woodward Road.
On July 11, committee members voted 4-0 with one abstention to introduce the ordinance amending Manalapan’s zoning code.
Township Attorney Roger McLaughlin explained that “the ordinance is designed to comply with the township’s affordable housing obligation. We are part of litigation, with many other towns, regarding affordable housing. While our exact obligation has not been determined, we know the range (of units) that will be required. We are taking action to provide an opportunity for affordable housing.”
Affordable housing is defined as housing that is sold or rented at below market rates to individuals and families whose income meets specific income guidelines.
McLaughlin said the SED/AH zone would allow for the construction of the following uses on the land at Route 33 and Woodward Road, across from a Wawa convenience store: an assisted living facility that provides affordable housing; commercial space on Woodward Road that is already permitted under existing zoning; and residential development with a 30 percent set-aside for affordable housing.
Any site plans that are submitted for those permitted uses on the tract will be subject to review by the Manalapan Planning Board, he said.
Mayor Jack McNaboe, Committeeman Kevin Uniglicht, Committeewoman Mary Ann Musich and Committeeman David Kane voted to introduce the ordinance. Committeewoman Susan Cohen abstained. Cohen has a conflict and does not vote on matters involving affordable housing.
Residents may comment on the ordinance on Aug. 22 and the committee may adopt the ordinance that evening.
In other business on July 11, Township Administrator Tara Lovrich reported that the 2017 audit of Manalapan’s finances and financial procedures had been completed by an auditor. She said the audit had no comments or recommendations for corrective action.
“We have everything in place that we are supposed to have,” Lovrich said. Following all of the pertinent rules and regulations “starts at the top with the Township Committee, comes through the chief financial officer and the finance office, and then administration,” she said.
And, committee members advanced two road improvement projects. S. Batata of Parlin was awarded contracts to improve several roads in the Monmouth Heights development and to make repairs and improvements on Taylors Mills Road. The company has previously done work in the municipality.
The Taylors Mills Road work will be partially funded with grants Manalapan received from the state Department of Transportation (DOT) in 2016 and 2017. Eight bids were received, ranging from $748,245 to $1,121,562, according to Brian Boccanfuso of CME Associates, the township engineer.
Boccanfuso said the $748,245 bid submitted by S. Batata was below the engineer’s estimate for the Taylors Mills Road project and was the lowest responsible and responsive bid. He recommended that the contract be awarded to S. Batata, subject to DOT approval, and the committee approved his recommendation.