Bernards Twp. Committee Approves Housing Settlement

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The Bernards Township Committee approved a settlement to build 222 additional housing units during Tuesday night's committee meeting.

Following a lengthy public comment session, committee members voted four to one, with Committeewoman Carolyn Gaziano being the only no vote.

The affordable housing litigation was with Affordable Housing intervenors, Bernards Plaza Associates, LLC and Crown Court Plaza, LLC.

In the settlement the township agrees to allow Bernards Plaza Associates to build 198 residential units, including 15 percent set aside for units be affordable to very low, low and moderate income households. The units would be built at the abandoned A&P site in the Dewy Meadow Shopping Center.

Additionally, the plan currently includes 96 housing units, including 19 low- and moderate-income units, to be built by Crown Court Plaza. With the settlement, it permits 24 additional housing units, including four low- and moderate-income units to total 120 housing units and 23 low- and moderate-income units. Theses units would be built on an old tennis court next to the Crown Court apartments.

The full settlement agreement can be viewed by clicking here.

With this settlement Township Attorney John Belardo said the township will receive credit for 106 affordable housing units.

Belardo also noted during the meeting that he would use this settlement to defend the township against Community Investment Partner's lawsuit to build at the Millington Quarry property. (See Related: Lawsuit Filed Against Basking Ridge Over Quarry Decision)

(Image via Bernards Township Committee March 27 meeting.)

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