Affordable Housing Ordinances Set For Hazlet Township Committee Meeting

HAZLET, NJ — The Hazlet Township Committee is set to hold second readings on four affordable housing ordinances at an upcoming meeting.

On Tuesday at 7 p.m., the ordinances will be read during the committee meeting at Municipal Hall, located at 1766 Union Avenue.

The committee has four ordinances on the agenda for second readings, including one that will rezone for affordable housing (and could bring up to 190 residential units to Route 35), another establishing a new zone for affordable housing, and one expanding existing development on Poole Avenue.

The affordable housing ordinances set for the meeting are as follows:

• 1786-26: An ordinance of the Township of Hazlet, County of Monmouth, and State of New Jersey, replacing Section 119 entitled “Affordable Housing” and Amending Section 181-912 entitled “Development Fees.”
• 1787-26: An ordinance of the Township of Hazlet in the County of Monmouth rezoning Block 192, Lot 4.02 to the AH-4 Affordable Housing 4 Zoning District pursuant to the Mediation Agreement before the Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program.
• 1788-26: An ordinance of the Township of Hazlet in the County of Monmouth establishing a new zone, entitled AH-3 Affordable Housing 3 Zone, Encompassing Block 69.01 Lot 8.
• 1789-26: An ordinance of the Township of Hazlet in the County of Monmouth amending the AH-2 Affordable Housing Zoning District pursuant to the provisions of the Township of Hazlet’s Round Four Housing Element and Fair Share Plan.

Under the fourth round of Mount Laurel Affordable Housing requirements, Hazlet must provide 0 units to fulfill its present need and 132 units to fulfill its prospective need, according to the Housing Element & Fair Share Plan agreement filed with the state.

"Present Need" refers to existing housing units deemed substandard/deficient and in need of repair, while “Prospective Need" estimates the number of new units that will be needed based on population trends.

Towns were required by the state of New Jersey to have ordinances updating their land use regulations in place by March 15.

Many townships and cities are also adjusting their plans as needed after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a request for an emergency injunction in an effort to overturn affordable housing mandates.

• Read More: NJ Towns Lose Battle In Supreme Court Over Affordable Housing

In addition to the affordable housing ordinances on the agenda for Tuesday night’s meeting, the committee will also hear resolutions on appointments in the police department, including:

• 26-76: Appointment of Edward Schmidt to the position of Police Lieutenant in the Hazlet Township Police Department
• 26-77: Appointment of Patrick Wood to the position of Police Lieutenant in the Hazlet Township Police Department
• 26-78: Appointment of David Turner to the position of Police Sergeant in the Hazlet Township Police Department
• 26-79: Appointment of Kevin Quinn to the position of Police Sergeant in the Hazlet Township Police Department

Toward the start of the meeting, the committee will read a proclamation for Anthony Simonetti Day and a Certificate of Appreciation for Dean Zappola.

To read the full agenda for Tuesday night’s meeting, you can click here.

The meeting will take place at Municipal Hall, located at 1766 Union Avenue, Hazlet.