Berkeley Council Votes To Support 55+ Communities

BERKELEY, NJ — Berkeley Township council members affirmed their support of the senior community as they voted to pass an ordinance that would keep 55 and older communities for seniors only.

Many members of the senior community came out to ask the council to vote yes on the bill - so many that they had to move the meeting to Holiday City South instead of the usual Town Hall to accommodate the packed audience.

The council explained that the purpose of the ordinance is to maintain the status quo and support the senior community. However, bylaws of individual communities can choose to sell to those under 55 if they so desire.

Judy Noonan, a Whiting resident, said this is something senior communities have had to deal with for years, and that an ordinance like this is long overdue. "We chose to live like this," she said in regards to the push to sell to younger members.

Some say that the selling is to family members of senior citizens, but Noonan said that they actually sell to LLCs instead.

"I am really proud of Berkeley really standing up for its senior community," Noonan said, thanking the council.

Many others spoke to voice their agreements. Resident Renee Savage said that children buying homes for their parents are few and far between. Residents feared that by selling to younger buyers, resources would be used up and the seniors would be pushed out of their own communities.

However, there was some opposition, primarily by realtors, who highlighted that it violates state and federal law to restrict selling to certain ages. Bruce Shapiro, representing NJ realtors, shared this fact and asked the council to vote no. He emphasized that there are restrictions against occupancy, not ownership, in age-restricted communities.

Former realtor Drew Fishman agreed and warned that the township could be opening itself up to a lawsuit through violating this law. Both realtors were met with boos and jeers from the audience.

Mayor Carmen Amato doubled down on his support, saying "Maybe the state and the federal laws are wrong!"

After many residents commented on the matter, most voicing their support, every council member voted yes on the ordinance. And if the challenges that those against the ordinance talked about come, the council affirmed that they will continue to fight.

"We will go to the United States Supreme Court to defend our ordinance," Amato said to cheers from the audience.

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