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Information regarding the Diversion Request can be found here.
In 1975, the N.J. Supreme Court held that municipalities may not pass zoning ordinances which exclude low and moderate income families. Since that decision, every municipality in New Jersey has had to provide a number of 'affordable housing' units. There have been several attempts to refine the process of determining the number of affordable housing units each municipality must provide.
The obligation to provide a realistic opportunity for affordable housing stems all the way back to the Mt. Laurel decisions of 1975 and 1983. Those decisions declare that municipal land use regulations which prevent affordable housing opportunities for lower and middle income families are unconstitutional and ordered all New Jersey municipalities to plan, zone for, and take affirmative actions to provide realistic opportunities for their “fair share” of the region’s need for affordable housing for low and moderate-income people. The decision to transfer the authority to the courts enabled many developers throughout the State to file for intervenor status, effectively giving the developer a “seat at the table” with the municipality in court. The premise of the intervenor is that as a developer they have the land and resources to provide the municipality an opportunity to meet its affordable housing obligation.
In March of 2015, the New Jersey Supreme Court declared the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) failing and transferred jurisdiction from COAH to New Jersey trial courts in order to adjudicate municipal compliance with their affordable housing obligations. The decision permitted municipalities to file Declaratory Judgment Actions (DJ Actions) with trial courts to seek approval of their Affordable Housing Plans, or risk being sued by a developer. As required, the Borough submitted a Declaratory Judgment to the courts by the prescribed deadline.
The Borough’s Declaratory Judgement Action filed on July 13, 2015 was opposed by the Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC), a statewide affordable housing advocacy group and eventually a local developer/intervenor.
On December 6, 2016, members of Clarke Canton Hintz, an architectural firm that specializes in planning affordable housing obligations, made a presentation to a joint meeting of the Madison Borough Council and the Madison Planning Board describing the current determination process.
The matter was assigned to Morris County Superior Court Judge Steven Hansbury and was transferred in March of 2017 to Judge Maryann Nergaard upon his retirement. In March 2019 the matter was transferred to Judge Michael Gaus upon Judge Nergaard's retirement.
The court has appointed a Special Master and a Regional Numbers Master to assist the parties with a resolution of the issues.
Below is a list of notable dates:
Why is Madison in Court?
Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC) is a statewide affordable housing advocacy group that sued the state of New Jersey claiming that the state was not doing its job in regards to affordable housing. In March 2015, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in favor of FSHC and agreed that the state agency in charge of affordable housing (COAH) was failing and not fulfilling their legal obligations. The Supreme Court transferred the issue the NJ Trial Courts. This allowed FSHC to sue every town in the state and that is exactly what they did. Since that time, our options have been to negotiate a settlement with FSHC or go through a lengthy and expensive legal process and court trial that would result in an unknown outcome.
What about other towns?
Some towns have reached settlements, and others are just getting started.
When will this get resolved?
This is a lengthy process and we want to make sure we negotiate what is best for Madison. We have been working with FSHC and the courts to negotiate a settlement since 2015. Once complete, a public meeting will be scheduled to review the outcome.
What is taking so long?
Madison is working towards the best solution for Madison. This process is lengthy as it includes multiple meetings in court with FSHC and the judge. We will have a public meeting to discuss the issue right after an agreement has been reached.
What is Affordable Housing and who lives there?
Affordable housing is housing which is deemed affordable to those with a median or low household income as rated by the national or local government by a recognized housing affordability index. Income eligibility for affordable housing ranges from $56,430 for a single person to $80,614 for a family of four in region 2 as per the Affordable Housing Professionals of New Jersey 2019 Affordable Housing Regional Income Limits by Household Size, which can be viewed here. Those that live in affordable housing are teachers/professors, police officers, restaurant workers, etc. They are our neighbors, and active members of our community.
Why was Affordable Housing not built on the Green Village Road (GVR) site?
The developer for the Green Village School property, now Rose Hall and Madison Place, paid $2.1 million into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. At the time of the purchase, COAH was not functioning and as such, there was no guidance on Affordable Housing from the state. The $2.1 million will be utilized to build new affordable housing throughout the borough to help satisfy our affordable housing obligation.
Where is Madison’s current Affordable Housing?
Madison already has a number of affordable housing units that are spread out throughout the borough. Here is a list of current locations and units:
Location | Number of Units |
---|---|
Belmont Avenue | 6 |
Central Avenue | 16 |
Chateau Thierry | 80 |
Community Place | 10 |
Cook Avenue | 12 |
Division Avenue | 2 |
Elm Street | 5 |
John Avenue | 10 |
Loantaka Way | 12 |
Park Avenue | 12 |
Strickland Place | 3 |
What happens if we don’t negotiate in good faith and/or settle?
Builders could ignore our zoning laws and build large developments in town. Picture “The Hills” in Bedminster being developed in Madison, or the new residential development at the corner of Park Avenue and Columbia Turnpike (formerly Honeywell). This is our biggest concern. We must reach a settlement with FSHC to protect Madison from over development. In legal terms, we would lose our immunity to builder’s remedy lawsuits.
What’s the rush?
This process began in August of 2015 when Madison had their initial Case Management Conference (CMC) before then-Judge Hansbury. Since we are in litigation, we have not been able to publicly disclose details, but have been working towards the best case for Madison for close to four years.
The Borough of Madison is has held its Final Fairness and Compliance Hearing. This hearing was conducted via Zoom only, in compliance with New Jersey Courts. Information can be found here. Note that the Court adjourned the April 22nd hearing to May 27, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.
A Special Joint Session and Public Hearing of the Mayor and Council and Planning Board was held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. virtually to consider an amendment to the Housing Element & Fair Share Plan.
The Adopted 2021 Third Round Housing Element & Fair Share Plan can be found here.
Exhibits for the Compliance Hearing can be found here.
The proposed construction schedule can be found here.
100% Affordable Construction Schedule and Pro Forma document can be found here.
Community Place Redevelopment Plan, Adopted January 25, 2021
Housing Element and Fair Share Plan Public Hearing Presented to the Planning Board, January 19, 2021
Borough Council Meeting, August 10, 2020
Borough Council Meeting, December 10, 2018
A Fact Sheet related to the litigation & settlement efforts can be viewed here.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by both The Borough of Madison and Fair Share Housing Center on June 11, 2019. The full Memorandum of Understanding can be viewed here.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:270-313, please find the midpoint realistic opportunity review here.
Interested parties are invited to submit comments to Madison, with a copy to Fair Share Housing Center, regarding whether any site no longer presents a realistic opportunity and should be replaced and whether the mechanisms to meet unmet need should be revised or supplemented. Any interested party may by motion request a hearing before the court regarding these issues.
"A person who will help the municipality select from the innumerable combinations of actions that could satisfy the constitutional obligation, the one that gives appropriate weight to the many conflicting interests involved." - Chief Justice Robert Wilentz, 1983