Post Office Plaza Project Receives Boost In Funds From Chatham Council

CHATHAM, NJ — The Borough Council approved a $6 million bond ordinance at a recent council meeting for the construction of a building with 15 affordable housing units behind the post office building on Main Street.

The ordinance would be used to fund a grant that would cover all of the work, materials, and electrical and plumbing lines required to complete the project by redeveloper Bergen County United Way.

"It is anticipated that the Borough will receive funds from various funding sources for the provision of the aforesaid affordable housing units," the ordinance said.

Mayor Thaddeus Kobylarz of Chatham Borough spoke about the litigation surrounding the development of affordable housing at Post Office Plaza.

After various setbacks, Superior Court Judge Stephan C. Hansbury made his decision regarding Chatham Borough's Post Office Plaza redevelopment project during a hearing last month.

The hearing was the last phase of the ongoing legal conflict between the Borough of Chatham and developers whose plans for the Post Office Plaza redevelopment project were turned down.

"The outcome was favorable. First Judge Hansbury denied SV's motion to intervene and also denied SV's motion to enforce purported litigants' rights," Kobylarz said.

Kobylarz then quoted from the ruling that ordered the Fair Share Housing Center to "review in good faith the Bergen County United Way 15-unit, 100% affordable rental housing project proposed in Post Office Plaza's redevelopment area to comply with the court-approved first amendment to the settlement agreement."

During public comment, Bob Weber, a borough council candidate, inquired about the project's increased cost, stating that it had originally been estimated to cost between $500,000 and $1.5 million.

Mayor Kobylarz declined to comment on Weber's inquiries on the advice of his counsel. According to the Mayor, Chatham still has an affordable housing compliance hearing on Oct. 27, however, the date is subject to change due to possible scheduling conflicts.

The redevelopment project has been in the works for months, and additional discussions and disclosures about the project will be made at a later date, according to Chatham Borough officials.