Fairness Hearing To Consider Proposed Mixed-Use Development In Mahwah

MAHWAH, NJ — A fairness hearing on Aug. 9 at Bergen County Superior Court will consider a proposed settlement between the township of Mahwah and a developer that would include a mixed-use development offering senior housing and retail uses, a notice from the township said.

At the 10:30 a.m. hearing, the court will evaluate whether the proposed settlement with Monarch Development Company Joint Venture is "fair and reasonable" to low- and moderate-income households.

The court will also determine whether the settlement complies with affordable housing regulations and law, including a requirement that 13% of all units are available to very low-income households. In fact, the project, the notice said, would create a "realistic opportunity" for 32 affordable housing units.

The properties consist of approximately 3.7 acres that are located at Block 82, lots 1, and 3 through 30, on the township's official tax map, and at the intersections of Franklin Turnpike, East Ramapo Avenue, Siding Place and King Street.

In addition, the agreement would require that the site permit multifamily development of up to 14 units per acre with 20% set aside for low- and moderate-income households.

The fairness hearing, the notice said, is intended to approve the agreement and the exhibits in a fashion that will enable the township to adopt a redevelopment plan, without the need for subsequent court approval, so long as the plan complies with the terms of the agreement. The hearing is also intended to have the court approve the township's proposed calculation of realistic development potential for the site and enable the township to treat the site as an RDP.