Residents are expressing their displeasure with the proposed development of two neighboring properties in Hazlet that municipal officials are eyeing as sites for affordable housing.
The residents’ main objection is to what many people called “congested housing” when the issue was discussed during a meeting of the Hazlet Township Committee on Aug. 7 that ran more than four hours.
That night, several hundred people came to the municipal building to make their feelings known as committee members considered approving a compliance plan which would permit the construction of affordable housing on two parcels: the Holy Family School property and the Stone Road Meadows property, which are both located on Route 36.
Before any members of the public were heard, committee members said they would not take action on the compliance plan that evening, but would consider it at their Sept. 4 meeting.
Committee members said they were delaying action on the matter due to the overwhelming concern that has been displayed by residents.
“I have noticed there has been a lot of misinformation, so we would like to take tonight to talk about the compliance plan. We will move (the vote) to a special meeting,” Mayor Scott Aagre said.
Municipal officials said the potential development of the two properties would help Hazlet meet its state mandated obligation to provide opportunities for the development of affordable housing, which is defined as housing that is sold or rented at below market rates to individuals and families whose income meets certain guidelines.
According to a document provided by officials, the 17-acre Holy Family School property would be rezoned to accommodate the proposed construction of 172 housing units. The total would include 26 affordable housing units.
The second property, Stone Road Meadows, is a 26-acre “high-density” property that could accommodate the construction of up to 312 housing units, of which 63 would be affordable units. Officials said that is in compliance with the town’s master plan.
“I asked to postpone the vote” on the compliance plan, Committeeman James DiNardo said. “I want you (residents) to realize the ramifications from what is going to happen. This is not a pretty picture. You need to understand this and we need to answer these questions, ‘how did we get here?’ and ‘why are we here?’
“(Residents) need to have your questions answered. That is why you are here tonight … I feel like we need to postpone this vote because you really need to know what is going to happen. I am not in favor of this and I want you to understand that. I have been down this road before and the ramifications that are going to be imposed on this town are not going to be a pretty sight,” DiNardo said.
Township Attorney James Gorman said Hazlet’s affordable housing obligation has doubled from 400 units to 800 units since a revision in January. He said the construction of homes on the two sites in question would help the township meet its new affordable housing obligation, which was set in place by a court.
Gorman said existing mobile homes in Hazlet will no longer satisfy the municipality’s affordable housing goal and that new homes must be built to fulfill the town’s legal obligation.
The affordable housing initiative, which some residents have called a “death sentence,” came to the attention of the public on June 19 when committee members settled a builder’s remedy lawsuit, according to resident Sam Dimartino.
Speaking at the Aug. 7 meeting, he said the settlement was added to the June 19 agenda at the last minute. Dimartino said residents were blindsided by that action.
The lawsuit, filed by Highview Homes, LLC., originally proposed the construction of 262 residential units on the Holy Family School property. Municipal officials sought to reduce the number of homes proposed. The developer has reduced the number 172 homes.
Municipal officials indicated that accepting the settlement with Highview Homes could stave off additional affordable housing litigation.
The settlement was approved in a 2-1 vote on June 19 with Aagre and Committeeman Michael Glackin voting “yes.” Committeewoman Sue Kiley recused herself from the vote. Committeewoman Barbara Ronchetti was absent. DiNardo, who said he opposes the proposed redevelopment plan, voted “no.”
On Aug. 7, members of the public said they were unaware of the Highview Homes lawsuit and expressed agitation toward what they described as the governing body’s choice to exclude their input on a matter that officials said had been on the table since 2015.
Residents who spoke that evening said they are offended by the development proposal. One resident, Anne Facendo, said the development would “wreck our nice little town.”
Residents said they are concerned with the potential increase of vehicles traveling through the area, potential overcrowding in public schools and a potential increase in taxes if the development plan is carried out.
Ronchetti said she agrees with some of the concerns that have been raised by residents.
Residents referred to themselves as “the opposition” and said they are against any development in the 5.6-square-mile community.
Victor Pavia, the farmer who owns Stone Road Meadows, prepared a written statement that was read by another resident. Pavia wrote, “This (farm) is the sole source of income for my family and myself … If I ever lose this farm, I will have completely lost the investment I have made over the last 11 years … I wouldn’t be able to pay my mortgage on my house, and would probably lose my house.”
In an interview before the meeting, Jamie Iacouzzi-Capone, who leads a Hazlet Residents Take Action citizen group, said, “I work on this every day to try and find a solution … I am trying to keep the public informed … This will put 70 percent of our affordable housing in Hazlet in one area. We will still fall short for affordable housing, but (Hazlet) will be immune to any builder’s remedy lawsuits until 2025.
“We’re really hoping to put a temporary hold on this until we can figure out a better plan. The density is what people are against. It has nothing to do with affordable housing. Nobody really cares … The strain on resources, the increase in taxes and the congestion in traffic is huge for people,” Iacouzzi-Capone said.
Resident Gerard Jaume called the compliance plan that outlines the matter “a death sentence” for the municipality.
“We’ve got to grow a set and go against the state,” he said.