Affordable Housing Proposals Go Before Planning Board, Council

OCEAN CITY, NJ - Ocean City officials appear as though they will table one proposed ordinance concerning its affordable housing obligation, while three others head to the planning board for consistency.

At the Nov. 29 meeting, Ocean City Council passed five proposals on introduction concerning their affordable housing obligation. One, which would help facilitate construction through private developers, may be tabled during this week’s council meeting, according to the city’s website.

It is listed on the agenda for Thursday night's council meeting, with a note stating the administration intends to table this ordinance until further notice, but there is no further explanation as to why.

Read more here: Ocean City Reaches Agreement On Affordable Housing Obligation

The following three proposals will go before the planning board for consistency. The Ocean City Planning Board meets on Wednesday night, Dec. 12, 6 p.m., in council chambers at City Hall, 861 Asbury Avenue:

No. 18-20 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter XXV, Article 100, Section 25-107 of the Ocean City Zoning and Land Development Ordinance to Revise the Definition of “Municipal Uses” to Include City-Sponsored Affordable Housing.

No. 18-21 – An Ordinance Replacing the Entire Contents of the Existing Fair Share Ordinance of the Revised Ordinances of Ocean City, Cape May County, New Jersey (Article 2000 of the Ocean City Zoning and Land Development Ordinance) to Address the Requirements of the Fair Housing Act and the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls (UHAC) Regarding Compliance with the City's Affordable Housing Obligations and Repealing All Ordinances Heretofore Adopted, the Provisions of which are Inconsistent Herewith.

No. 18-22 - An Ordinance Establishing Rules, Regulations and Standards Governing the Zoning of Land with the City of Ocean City, County of Cape May, Pursuant to the Authority Set Forth as Chapter 55 of Title 40 of the Revised Statutes and Amendments and Supplements Thereto, Setting Forth a Development Fee to be Applied by the Planning Board, Zoning Board and the Governing Body in the Development of Land.

Read more here: Ocean City Council Introduces Affordable Housing Legislation

To view the planning board’s full agenda, visit ocnj.us.

Those three items are also set for public hearings and final votes at Ocean City’s council meeting on Thursday night, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. at City Hall.

There will also be a public hearing and final vote on a proposal that would increase the residential development fee for developers from 1 percent up to 1.5 percent, among other actions. That proposal passed 6-1 on introduction, with Council Vice President Tony Wilson casting the dissenting vote.

There will also be a public hearing and final vote on a proposal to eliminate term limits for volunteers serving on the city’s boards and committees. The proposal passed unanimously on introduction, but some residents were concerned that eliminating term limits would create a stale environment and stifle new ideas on the boards. Read more here: Ocean City Council Proposes Eliminating Term Limits For Boards

There will also be a public hearing and final vote on a proposal that would allow the city to accept a beach/dune lot on Wesley Avenue as a gift from the owners.

The $491,598 Special Improvement District budget for 2019 will be considered as a non-consent agenda resolution. There are also 23 items on the consent agenda, and there will be a proclamation honoring Gary Green and his family.

To view the full agenda for Thursday night’s council meeting, visit ocnj.us.

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