Public Hearing For Long Valley Affordable Housing On July 19

LONG VALLEY, NJ — The Washington Township Committee plans to adopt an amendment to its affordable housing zoning ordinance, which could expand rental property opportunities in the township.

The ordinance that’s up for adoption pertains to housing in the Route 46 area, with an amendment planned to zoning for affordable rental housing already adopted in April 2020.

The public hearing is planned for the next regular Township Committee meeting on Monday, July 19 at 7 p.m.

The amendment, which was introduced by the Township Committee on June 21, will revise “improved lot coverage standard” and get rid of the floor area ratio standard in the original ordinance, to “facilitate the development of rental housing” in this section of the township.

The improved lot coverage standard, which was originally 60 percent, is being upped to 70 percent.

The updated ordinance won’t be final until the New Jersey Highlands Council approves it.

The original ordinance, which was introduced on Feb. 12, 2020 and adopted at a public hearing on April 20, 2020, was created to help satisfy Washington Township’s third round affordable housing obligations.

The affordable housing is planned for vacant areas in the northwest region of the township along Route 46, within the “Neighborhood Commercial Zone.” Market-rate and affordable multi-family apartments that are either garden-style or townhouses, will be permitted on minimum lot sizes of 20,000 square feet.

The township’s affordable housing ordinance provides that housing will have fencing and evergreen trees and shrubs as buffers, with the properties privately owned and maintained, plus public water and sewer required in the development.

See the original ordinance from April 2020 here.
See the updated ordinance up for adoption on July 19 here.

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