Township Council Begins Discussing Use of VFW Building

Washington Township Planner Stan Slachetka went before the governing body Monday to discuss the options for affordable housing on the site of the VFW building, which the township took as part of eminent domain in 2010.

The township Planning Board has adopted the site, at 639 Jefferson Ave., as part of the housing plan, which Slachetka said requires an implementation ordinance from the governing body. The planner said councilmen can specify criteria for how the housing is laid out on the site and who owns and operates the facility.

"As a governing body, you have very significant control over what happens," Slachetka said.

He explained that whatever affordable housing is placed on the site, it must be compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhood.

According to Slachetka, a group home could be placed on the site or a building with individual units. He said the unit count is based on the number of bedrooms occupied by a low or moderate income person, so if a home on the site has five bedrooms, it would get five units of affordable housing credit.

Mayor Janet Sobkowicz said she had spoken to some seniors who would be interested in living in affordable housing and said they would prefer their own units. She asked if the project could be age restricted. Slachetka said it could, especially considering that the township doesn't currently have any age restricted housing available.

Members of the governing body will have to choose a non-profit group for the conversion.

"Basically you're going to need to have some entity that's going to be responsible for maintaining and operating the affordable housing project," Slachetka said.

He added that because of the nature of the project, the township would not have to go out to bid.

While the Council On Affordable Housing (COAH) is currently in limbo in the courts, Slachetka suggested the governing body move forward with the project. The township met its first and second round COAH obligations. While it's unknown what the third round might bring, Slachetka said the township will have to take some action.

"It's going to be some obligation. It's not going to be zero," Slachetka said. "You've taken the very prudent course. ... Bring the process under your control to determine exactly what you want on that site."

Council President Fred Goetz asked if in the interim the building could be used for any other purposes."I'd rather not have it sitting vacant if we can utilize it for community services or rental," he said.

Township Attorney Kenneth Poller said he would look into any legal issues and report back to the governing body.

The next council meeting is scheduled for July 11.