08:06The primary focus of the meeting was the adoption of the affordable housing element and fair share plan, presented by H2M Associates. This plan is important for Pompton Lakes to comply with the Fair Housing Act, which mandates municipalities to provide housing options for low and moderate-income residents. The board was informed of the municipality’s constitutional obligation to adopt a housing plan, with specific reference to new legislation signed by Governor Murphy that redefined the processes for determining housing obligations in New Jersey.

05:09The plan included a comprehensive analysis of the borough’s demographic data, housing stock, and developable land. However, Pompton Lakes faces a challenge: a lack of vacant land, as confirmed by a vacant land analysis, which revealed no available parcels for development. This analysis concluded that the borough’s obligation for 105 new affordable units would remain largely unmet, with the new legislative framework requiring municipalities to address a minimum of 25% of their unmet need. For Pompton Lakes, this translates to a requirement of approximately 27 affordable housing units.

The discussion also examined the potential development of the Tilcon quarry site, rezoned to an affordable housing zone in December 2019, expected to yield 27 affordable units. This site represents a critical opportunity for the borough to meet its housing obligations, given the constraints on available land.

23:51Following the housing plan discussion, the board turned its attention to a capital review proposal from the Pompton Lakes Board of Education, which outlined upgrades to Hersfield Park’s athletic facilities. This project, involving a synthetic track, renovated bleachers, and a new press box, aims to enhance the existing sports infrastructure while maintaining compliance with NJDEP regulations due to its scope, which categorizes it as a development.

24:43Detailed discussions on the project included considerations for stormwater management, ADA compliance, and potential asbestos in the existing press box. The board provided feedback rather than approvals.

02:27:11The meeting also featured deliberations on a proposed development at 714-720 Hamburg Turnpike by Sarah Realy LLC. The plan involves converting an existing single-story commercial building into a three-story mixed-use structure, including residential units and commercial retail space. Key issues discussed included parking arrangements, stormwater management, and the need for variances due to increased impervious coverage.

01:47:38The design proposed by Sarah Realy LLC included 45 parking spaces, two stories of residential units above the ground-floor retail, and compliance with electric vehicle charging station requirements. The board scrutinized aspects like traffic flow, parking space adequacy, and safety measures.

21:55Public comments highlighted residents’ apprehensions about lighting, parking impacts, and potential environmental concerns related to the site’s history as a gas station. The board acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the importance of addressing them in future planning stages.