3 Affordable Housing Proposals Under Consideration Monday Night

MOORESTOWN, NJ - Moorestown Council will consider three proposals related to affordable housing Monday night.

Moorestown Council will meet on Monday night, April 29, 7 p.m. at town hall, 111 West Second Street. The workshop portion of the meeting begins at 7 p.m., following by the official action meeting at 7:30 p.m.

There will be a public hearing and final vote on a proposed ordinance introduced on March 26 that proposing zoning changes needed to effectuate the township’s agreement with the Fair Share Housing Council to fulfill its affordable housing obligations. To view the proposed changes, click here.

Council will also consider two proposed ordinances on introduction to establish zoning for senior income restricted housing on Centerton Road to help fulfill its obligations of 337 new affordable units by 2025.

They include updating the definitions of “Continuing Care Retirement Community” and “Senior Congregant Care Community.” To view those proposed changes, click here and click here.

There will be a public hearing and final vote on a proposed ordinance to update the township's Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. The proposal would set aside $95,000, including the borrowing of $90,250 in bonds or notes, to be used for the update of the township's ADA plan.

Having the plan in place and updating it is a condition for certain federal grants, including the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant for the Lenola Project. Read more here: Moorestown Council Takes Step Toward Updating Township’s ADA

Council will consider a proposed bond ordinance on introduction that sets aside $760,000, including the borrowing of $532,000 in bonds or notes, for various improvements along Strawbridge Lake.

The improvements include a pathway along the lake, restoration of the “Children’s Pond,” and stormwater improvements around Haines Drive. Preliminary engineering and design of the three projects are concluding and the projects are being bid. The township also has a $200,000 county grant to cover the work remaining to be done on these projects.

In order to fund the ADA and Strawbridge Lake proposals, council must consider a non-consent agenda resolution to adopt a temporary capital budget. The permanent capital budget will be part of the township’s overall budget, which has yet to be officially introduced.

Finally, council will consider a proposed ordinance on introduction to change the fees for inspections related to various construction projects. The changes allow for reasonable increases in revenue that will help defray the costs of:
enhancing software to allow a “public portal” to make the application and inspection process more efficient and user friendly; and
allowing for staffing initiatives that will expedite permit reviews and allow more convenient scheduling for residents with respect to inspections.

The fee increases are necessary to continue with improvements without raising property taxes, according to the agenda packet on the township’s website. To view the changes, click here.

Additionally, representatives from Alaimo and Pennoni will present an overview of ongoing, and proposed, capital improvement projects for which they are responsible. Alaimo and ERI presented water and sewer projects at the last council meeting. Read more here: Despite Delay, Water Treatment Project Expected To Finish On Time

There are also four items on the consent agenda. To view the full agenda, visit the agenda center on the township’s website.