At the heart of the meeting was the council’s decision to adopt resolution 20254, committing to a round four obligation of 92 affordable housing units. This decision follows the guidelines set by the DCA, which had calculated the borough’s obligations based on a formula incorporating land capacity, non-residential valuations, and income factors. The DCA’s assessment had determined that Fair Haven possesses only 0.847 acres of developable land, impacting its ability to meet these obligations.

An attorney specializing in affordable housing provided an extensive overview of the Mount Laurel Doctrine and the historical context leading to the current requirements. The Mount Laurel Doctrine mandates municipalities to generate their fair share of affordable housing through zoning. The attorney also explained the potential legal implications if a municipality fails to comply.

The council discussed the possibility of adjusting the number of units required, given the borough’s limited available land. A vacant land analysis had previously been conducted, indicating no substantial developable parcels, which supports a downward adjustment from the initial obligation. Despite the commitment to 92 units, the council anticipates a realistic development potential of zero, with the remaining unmet need to be addressed in future planning.

The resolution also acknowledged a present need obligation of zero. With the council’s unanimous approval, the resolution is expected to withstand challenges, given the presumption of validity when a municipality aligns with the DCA’s calculations.