364 Units Proposed In Westfield Under Affordable Housing Agreement

WESTFIELD, NJ — A lower number of 364 affordable housing units is being proposed by the Westfield Town Council in response to the required New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) fourth-round obligation.

The Town Council unanimously passed a resolution for its fourth round of Affordable Housing Fair Share numbers on Tuesday following a presentation by Graham Petto, who is with Topolofy and is serving as the Town's consultant.

Petto stressed the importance of the Town passing the resolution by Jan.31 to avoid any ramifications.

"It is important to adopt a number by that date to maintain immunity from builder’s remedy lawsuits here within the town," said Petto. "So it's very, very important that the town effectuate and adopt a number to maintain the level of immunity."

The DCA published their non-binding number of 397 for Westfield. However, Westfield's subcommittee (with members Todd Saunders, Linda Habgood, Michal Domogala and James Hely) took a deep dive into the numbers, "kicked around the numbers," and was able to revise its obligation to 364 units.

Petto noted that the DCA's number is based off land use data from 2020 where certain properties may no longer in fact be developable.

"We are proposing a revision modification to the affordable housing number," said Petto.

"The modification we are suggesting is to go along with the calculation and saying this is the amount of property we think we have that we can build on," said Councilman Michal Domogala. "And then additionally there will be other parts within this process where we can go ahead and additionally challenge based on previous years."

This adoption of the affordable housing number is the first phase. The next phase in February is a "challenge period" where any interested party can challenge the municipality's adopted number.

A final affordable housing number will then be issued on April 1. After that, Westfield can begin to plan for affordable housing.

"This is going to be a public process where we’re informed by your master plan, informed by the vision that the community has to effectuate these developments in a manner that is consistent with the character and neighborhoods here in the town," said Petto.

Many Westfield Officials including Town Administrator Jim Gildea stressed that adopting this number is just the "first step in the process."

"I think the public should appreciate that this is a process and the answers won’t be evident immediately but we are doing the appropriate work to get that done," said Councilman Michal Domogala.

Mayor Shelley Brindle concluded that the 364-unit number is likely to change.

"This 364 number, assuming it is accepted, is very likely not going to be what we’re actually required to construct," said Brindle. "It’s going to be part of the total of what we strive to but then we are going to get down to what we actually are with the vacant land adjustment and everything else."

For more information on the Town's affordable housing obligations visit westfieldnj.gov/199/Affordable-Housing.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.