A central focus of the meeting was the council’s discussion on a resolution concerning Hamilton’s affordable housing obligations, particularly the township’s fourth round of commitments under the Fair Share Housing Act. The resolution is part of a ten-year obligation, with the township’s affordable housing commitment set to be calculated by the state. Fred Dumont, along with his team, had analyzed the state’s calculations and proposed an alternative figure. Principal Planner Rob Poppert and Cataline Raider from TNM Associates provided an in-depth presentation on the findings.

The land capacity factor underwent significant scrutiny, leading to its reduction from 273 acres to 166 acres. Raider explained that the initial DCA mapping process incorrectly classified certain properties as vacant or developable, necessitating adjustments that resulted in a lower affordable housing obligation.

A council member expressed confidence in the adjusted figure, stating, “We are not afraid of this number,” and encouraged support for the resolution to ensure continued progress. The council emphasized the importance of preparing a comprehensive housing element and fair share plan by June 30 to meet these obligations.

The newly introduced challenge process allows various parties, including Fair Share Housing, property owners, developers, citizens groups, and environmental organizations, to contest any obligation outlined in the resolution. This process, open until February 28, presents potential uncertainties as any aspect of the resolution can be challenged. The council acknowledged the aggressive schedule for resolving challenges, which are expected to be addressed by the end of March.

During public comment, a resident praised the council’s stance on affordable housing, contrasting it with other municipalities that contest similar obligations in court. The council appreciated the feedback and recognized the hard work of township professionals in addressing the complexities of the affordable housing process.

Alongside affordable housing, the council deliberated on an ordinance aimed at establishing minimum distances between cannabis retailers to prevent clustering. The ordinance proposes a cap of five retail cannabis licenses in Hamilton, with designated locations complying with zoning regulations. This move, supported by the director of Economic Development and the mayor, aims to ensure a balanced distribution of cannabis retailers throughout the town.

The council also briefly entered an executive session to discuss a litigation matter related to housing. This session was necessitated by a landlord issue requiring council action and legal briefing.

In other business, the council addressed several grant-related resolutions aimed at community enhancement, including an application to Bloomberg Philanthropies for a vacant lot at Pitman and Clover. The approval of contracts with firefighters and appointments to various boards were also discussed, with strong candidates noted for board positions.

A particularly detailed public inquiry involved a paving project on Whitehead Road. The council clarified that a $300,000 grant was allocated for paving a section of Whitehead Road from Sixth Avenue to Industrial Drive, separate from issues concerning Goodall Rubber.

Another resident raised concerns about a retaining wall on East State Street linked to the Brownley fire property. The council discussed efforts to consolidate ownership of abandoned properties in the area, emphasizing safety measures for remaining residents. The council reported a significant cost saving with a new bid of $153,000 for the wall, down from previous high-cost bids, and noted impending condemnation hearings for final property acquisitions to facilitate future affordable housing developments.