Red Bank Planning Board Advances Affordable Housing Compliance Amid June 30 Deadline
- Meeting Overview:
The Red Bank Planning Board meeting primarily focused on addressing the borough’s compliance with affordable housing obligations under the Fair Housing Act, with an impending deadline of June 30, 2023, for submitting the housing plan to state authorities. The board reviewed the latest presentation from a consultant on the housing plan element, detailing the borough’s strategy to meet its calculated obligation of 154 affordable units for the fourth round.
The session highlighted an in-depth presentation by a representative from CME Associates, who outlined the borough’s obligations under the Fair Housing Act and the historical context of the Mount Laurel doctrine. This legal framework requires municipalities to facilitate affordable housing, stemming from a 1970s court case where Mount Laurel’s zoning policies were found to hinder low-income housing development. As per the state’s requirements, Red Bank accepted its fair share obligation of 154 affordable units, a number derived from calculations by the Department of Community Affairs.
Central to the discussion was the borough’s strategy to meet this obligation without relying on vacant land, of which there is little available in Red Bank. The board reviewed plans showing that ongoing projects would effectively satisfy the 154-unit requirement. The Locust Landing project’s affordability controls are due to expire soon, leading to a proposal for financial contributions from the borough in exchange for extending these controls for an additional 40 years. This extension would allow Red Bank to claim credits for these units, potentially exceeding its obligation if the realistic development potential increases.
Additional projects like Globe Court, Vista, and Monmouth Street were also discussed as contributors to the borough’s affordable housing credits. The Thrive Redbank project includes five affordable units, and a redevelopment plan near the train station is anticipated to yield 80 credits, depending on final unit count. Collectively, these projects are projected to generate at least 143 credits, placing the borough in a favorable position to meet its state housing obligations.
The presentation also addressed the borough’s rehabilitation obligation, which requires attention to code-deficient housing units. An estimated 54 units require upgrades such as new roofs or HVAC systems. Existing borough-operated rehabilitation programs, supported by the affordable housing trust fund and Monmouth County, have already rehabilitated 10 to 15 homes over the past five years. The board emphasized that while meeting rehabilitation targets is essential, the scrutiny on this obligation is less intense compared to prospective housing needs.
Following the presentation, the board unanimously adopted the housing plan and a corresponding resolution. The plan is set to be submitted for court review, with a subsequent two-month window for challenges from entities like the Fair Share Housing Center or the New Jersey Builders Association. The review process involves oversight by a judge and a court-appointed adjudicator to ensure the plan meets the needs of low- and moderate-income populations.
The board expressed optimism about the borough’s standing regarding affordable housing obligations, noting that all projects included in the plan were either under construction, approved, or in progress. This contrasts favorably with previous rounds that were characterized by litigation. The session concluded with a brief discussion on public outreach for rehabilitation programs, with suggestions for improved advertisement methods, such as including informational flyers with property tax bills.
Portman, William
Planning Board Officials:
William Portman (Mayor), Thomas J. Welsh, Kristina Bonatakis, Dan Mancuso, Louis DiMento, Megan Massey, Barbara Boas, Wilson Beebe, Itzel Hernandez, Fred Stone, Brian Parnagian, Greg Fitzgerald (Mayor’s Alternate), Edward Herrman (Engineer), Marc Leckstein (Attorney)
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Meeting Type:
Planning Board
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
06/25/2025
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Recording Published:
06/26/2025
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Duration:
28 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Monmouth County
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Towns:
Red Bank
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