(TOMS RIVER, N.J.) --- Elected officials rejected and clashed with the Mayor over the affordable housing ordinance, which could lead to not meeting the deadline.
During the July 29 special meeting, the Toms River Councilmembers decided not to approve 42 new units to the Jamestowne Village apartments. They questioned height, location, traffic patterns and overpopulation in the area.
Previously, Ocean County Superior Court Judge Sean Gerther had given the township until August 26 to approve an affordable housing plan that aligns with the state-mandated obligations.
During the public comments, Council President David Ciccozzi raised frustration with communication from Mayor Daniel Rodrick to the Township Council.
“Certain people were left out of this communication and negotiation,” Ciccozzi said.
A resident of Toms River Township, Julie Adam, raised questions about the location, crime rates, proximity to schools and traffic.
“Everyone knows that that complete area backs up bumper to bumper… It’s backed up the entire distance,” Adam said, “So to bring more people into that area is a poor decision.”
Adam explained that there is a high crime rate in the area, along with a drug problem. She also noted that there have been murders. Furthermore, Adam explained that this is a “terrible location” for the houses.
In response, Councilman Robert Bianchini explained that he was on the zoning board when the project had initially been pitched.
“It failed because of all the complaints with the traffic… it failed plain and simple,” Bianchini said.
Rodrick then stated that the township “had an obligation set by the state,” and that the team “negotiated a terrific deal.”
(Photo: Toms River Township Council Meeting Executive Session Break, when officials speak with no public presence allowed)
Resident Phil Brilliant noted that after the zoning board denied the request to build the affordable homes, it “went as high as the appellate division of New Jersey,” and that by passing this ordinance, the township would be “bypassing” the zoning board’s decision.
Brilliant mentioned Meridia Toms River, which previously had been approved to build 281 apartments in two six-story towers located at Main and Water streets.
Rodrick, in response, stated that “a nonofficial Republican club wants those towers.”
Later, Bianchini questioned how tall the building would be. The Township Planner, Richard Hunt, responded to concerns by reading the ordinance, which states that the building would be no taller than 40 feet.
“It’s not like this is towering over a single-family home; there’s a big two-story building over a single-family home,” Rodrick said, “Every building in Jamestown is that height.”
Bianchini accused Rodrick of using a “pilot program” to advance affordable housing.
“I’m getting accused of these pilots; the pilots were in place in many of these places before,” Rodrick said, “If someone is going to build affordable housing and rent units out in some cases for just a few hundred dollars, they’re not going to do it without the incentives.”
This will be the first of three reports from this meeting; the next two will be released on Wednesday and Friday.
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