MANALAPAN – Market rate and affordable housing would be permitted to be constructed at the same location in Manalapan under the terms of an ordinance that has been introduced by the Township Committee.
During a meeting on April 15, committee members voted to introduce an ordinance that will, if adopted, establish an affordable housing overlay zone on certain properties in the SED-2W (special economic development) and R-AG/4 (agricultural) zones.
A public hearing on the ordinance has been scheduled for the committee’s May 13 meeting.
The creation of the affordable housing overlay zone in those two zones means guidelines will 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 properties where the affordable housing overlay zone would be created are at Route 33 and Iron Ore Road and are owned by the Diocese of Trenton.
He said the proposed zoning would allow the construction of up to 320 housing units, with a 30% set-aside for affordable housing (96 affordable housing units).
Any plans that are presented for development at those sites would be subject to review by the Manalapan Planning Board and residents would be able to comment on the plans during a public hearing, McLaughlin 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.