SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS — The borough council introduced an ordinance creating an affordable housing district in order to provide for its fair share of affordable housing, at its meeting on Monday, Oct. 16.
The borough is mandated to provide realistic opportunities for affordable housing to maintain inclusion.
Helen Motzenbacker, a social activist with a passion for more affordable housing statewide, filed a Mount Laurel exclusionary zoning suit in 2022 against Spring Lake Heights seeking opportunity for a fair share of moderate income housing. The Superior Court ruling concluded that the borough does not meet its share of affordable housing units.
The new ordinance implements the affordable housing zoning for the site obligation under the settlement agreement to take place at 2019 Route 71. Adding to eight other districts in the borough, including five residential, one business/office and two commercial, the district will be implemented as an “AH-2.”
The public hearing regarding the potential development will be held Nov. 20. The proposal allows for the development of three rental properties, which translates into six affordable housing credits. The zoning will, in effect, end up with three credits due to the town receiving two-for-one bonus credits.
Borough Attorney Andrew Bayer said, “There is a plan to get to the finish line to further provide their fair share of affordable housing.”
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