During the meeting, the board discussed amendments necessary for compliance with the amended Fair Housing Act, specifically addressing the fair share plan. The plan outlines recommendations for rezoning particular sites to facilitate affordable housing, identifying five sites for rezoning. Notable among them is the Cornell Boulevard site for an 11-unit project aimed at low- and moderate-income families, which includes a four-unit project designated for supportive veterans housing. The KRE site on Route 22 was also highlighted, allowing for a 128-unit inclusionary rental development with 28 affordable units. These developments aim to meet the township’s obligations under the Fair Housing Act while providing necessary housing resources for underserved populations.

Public concerns were raised by Nathan Cook, a Raritan resident, regarding the Cornell development’s potential impact on his parents’ property. He questioned the access road for the property, expressing concern about whether it would encroach on private property. It was clarified that should the development require access through private property, a legal process would be needed to address rights of way and potential compensation. The board assured that the development would not proceed through private property if it were determined so.

A point of discussion was the proposed ordinance 25-24, which aims to repeal and replace the AH3 zone to better align with the township’s 2025 housing fair share plan. This ordinance seeks to introduce additional bulk standards to ensure proper access to properties and provide design standards for buffering adjacent residential uses. The board also analyzed ordinance 25-25, proposing amendments to the C1 zone along Route 28 to allow for additional conditional uses, such as personal care services like cosmetics treatments and hair salons. This proposal aims to keep the local retail sector viable by updating zoning standards to reflect evolving retail trends.

Kim Wartman, a member of the public, voiced her concerns about the proposed high-density development on Cornell Boulevard, arguing for reconsideration of the H3 zone’s location due to its impact on a predominantly single-family neighborhood. She emphasized safety issues, including the lack of street lights and sidewalks, and called the project an example of “spot zoning activity.” The board clarified that its role was limited to assessing the consistency of the proposed ordinance with the master plan, and any decisions on the ordinance’s introduction or adoption would be made by the governing body.

In addition to housing discussions, the board focused on the township’s open space and recreation master plan. Miss Sarmad presented potential recommendations for enhancing existing township parks, such as Camp Cromwell and baseball fields on Somerset Corporate Boulevard. She emphasized the importance of a trails map to improve accessibility to open spaces and discussed the concept of “third places,” which are spaces outside of home and work where individuals can gather without financial barriers. These spaces aim to provide socialization options, particularly for young adults and teens.

Miss Sarmad also addressed property acquisition analysis. These properties may have environmental constraints, making them suitable for protection and preservation. Funding mechanisms such as the Green Acres program were discussed as vital resources for the acquisition of property and development of recreation fields.

The presentation concluded with recommendations and action items, encouraging board members to review the document thoroughly. Councilman Kersh, attending his last meeting on the planning board, expressed appreciation for the document’s thoroughness and acknowledged the board’s history of robust open space acquisition programs. He emphasized the importance of the open space advisory committee and encouraged ongoing consideration of potential locations for future acquisitions.