The main focus of the meeting was a comprehensive presentation on the township’s affordable housing obligations, delivered by Dave Novak from Burgess Associates. He explained the recent state legislation changes that dissolved the Council on Affordable Housing and reallocated its duties to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Office of Administrative Courts. The DCA provided advisory affordable housing need numbers, estimating an initial requirement of 435 units for Rockaway Township. However, after a analysis in collaboration with township staff, Novak proposed a revised figure of 301 units, based on a conservative reevaluation of developable land.

This recalibration took into account the exclusion of non-developable areas, such as the Picatinny Arsenal, and revised the initially identified developable land from 120 acres to approximately 15.35 acres. The council was informed that a resolution adopting these figures must be passed by the end of January 2025 to maintain legal immunity, with potential challenges to the resolution permissible until February 28, 2025. Novak candidly acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the dispute resolution process.

The discussion revealed council members’ concerns about meeting these obligations and the potential impacts on local infrastructure and resources. Questions were raised about the timeline for fulfilling the housing requirement, which spans from 2025 to 2035, and whether areas where residents from neighboring municipalities pay taxes to Rockaway were considered in the analysis. Novak clarified that only properties within Rockaway Township were evaluated, excluding contributions from neighboring areas.

Further debate ensued about county-owned land earmarked for affordable housing development. While the DCA included parts of this land in their assessment, the township chose to exclude it from their calculations, emphasizing developed land should not contribute to the affordable housing requirement. Future development on county property would require agreements with the county and potential hearings before the planning board to address necessary zoning changes.

The council recognized the need for a comprehensive housing element and a Fair Share Plan to guide future development, stressing the importance of a conservative approach in assessing developable land amidst the complexities and uncertainties of the state mandates.

The implications of affordable housing developments on local schools and taxation also garnered attention. Concerns were voiced about the potential increase in school populations stemming from multifamily developments and whether the state considers this in its legislation. It was noted that the state does not prioritize this aspect, with a participant stating, “that’s not something that the state really cares about unfortunately.”

There were assurances that certain sites, such as brownfields and areas with contamination issues, were excluded from the town’s buildable numbers. Details on income limits for affordable housing eligibility were shared, with median income for a three-person household in the region at $116,400. The discussion also covered the structuring of affordable housing units, emphasizing the need for a mix of moderate, low, and very low-income units in development applications.

Public concerns were raised about the financial impact of affordable housing, particularly regarding a referendum that might lead to a tax increase, urging the township to consider the ramifications of potential tax hikes on residents. Questions about developer contributions to school expansions highlighted ongoing concerns about the financial implications of affordable housing on local resources.

The meeting also addressed various other community and infrastructure topics. A council member reported on the Planning Board’s approval of JCP&L’s plan to install pumps for trucks running on liquid propane or natural gas. Updates were given on the Dial-A-Ride service and a resident’s water main issue, with assurances of follow-up actions.

The council discussed community support during a cold spell, with temperatures dropping to 3 degrees, and commended the Department of Public Works and police department for their efforts during recent snowy conditions. The administration’s annual OPRA inventory was noted, as well as a $25,000 grant from the Highland Council received by the township to assist in developing the housing element and fair share plan.