Hazlet Officials Object To Holmdel's Affordable Housing Plan

HAZLET, NJ – Plans to build an affordable housing complex just several feet from the Holmdel-Hazlet border has sparked criticism from several Hazlet officials. In a virtual Holmdel Township Committee meeting on Tuesday, Hazlet Mayor Mike Glackin objected to the zoning of a 50-unit apartment building, stating the unfit "suitability, site design and project location" of the plans.

The mayor specifically argued that the site of the proposed construction is too close to a property on Marsand Drive in Hazlet.

“When Hazlet became aware of this most recent zoning ordinance we looked at it and fashioned our objection," Glackin said.

The 50-unit complex, which is slated to be located on the corner of South Laurel Avenue and Middle Road, is part of a larger multi-complex housing plan to build 297 affordable units in the township. The plan was approved in a 4-0 vote by the Holmdel Township Committee on Tuesday.

“We are not saying don’t build on this site, we are not saying do not put affordable housing on this site,” Hazlet Township Attorney James Gorman said. “We are saying build what fits.”

In addition, Gorman argued that Hazlet residents were not properly notified about the Holmdel plans.

“Hazlet’s attorney and mayor cited concerns over proper planning area, site suitability, proper notice, parking set back, building set back, building height, easement and disregard for the adjacent Hazlet neighborhood,” reads a statement posted to the Hazlet Township website on Wednesday. “Several residents also spoke out about the impact of the rezoning to home values, traffic circulation and potential flooding.”

The project is slated to involve at least three locations, including a proposed 50-unit affordable housing complex to be built along South Laurel Avenue. The largest of the plans is slated to include a 50-unit apartment complex on South Laurel Avenue and Middle Road. The entire building will be devoted to affordable housing. Read more: Holmdel Township Committee Approves Affordable Housing Plan

The project comes as part of a settlement agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center, which sued several New Jersey townships in 2012. The lawsuit claimed that the state did not properly enforce affordable housing requirements in many areas, including several Monmouth municipalities. A settlement in Holmdel was reached in 2019.

“Our hands were tied and this was by far, by far the best option for Holmdel to help the town going forward with an obligation we had to do or it was going to be thrust upon us,” said Holmdel mayor Greg Buontempo during the Tuesday meeting.

Holmdel will present the approved plan to a judge at Monmouth County Superior Court in a compliance hearing on Aug. 5.

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