The township heard from members of the public with concerns regarding the township’s affordable housing obligation Monday night.
At the Monday, Feb. 26 meeting of Moorestown Township Council, housing concerns were the talk of the night as residents asked for more information regarding Moorestown’s affordable housing obligation.
Moorestown Board of Education member Lauren Romano was the first to broach the topic, saying she “sort of” came in her capacity as a board of education member.
Romano said through conversations with other board members, she found not all of her fellow members were aware of the township’s ongoing affordable housing litigation. She said with new units coming to town, there will be an impact on the schools, so she wondered if the township has any plans to meet with the schools moving forward.
“I feel like there hasn’t been any official dialogue yet,” Romano said.
Township Manager Thomas Merchel said they did plan on coordinating a meeting.
“Once all the numbers are out to the public, then I’ll meet with the superintendent,” Merchel said.
Mayor Stacey Jordan said the impact on the school district has been an ongoing part of their discussions and something they have taken into consideration throughout their ongoing negotiations.
Resident Dennis Funaro said he applauded the township for all of its “hard work” negotiating the township’s affordable housing obligation. However, Funaro questioned council’s decision to no longer have the Nagle Tract designated as 100 percent affordable housing.
“My main point is that I don’t think the Nagle site should be taken off the table for 100 percent affordable housing,” Funaro said.
Funaro went on to dispute that affordable housing should be placed near locations with public transit. He said Fair Share Housing is an advocate for concentrating affordable housing near high transit areas, but in his eyes, this doesn’t make sense given Moorestown’s location.
“When you live in suburbia New Jersey, whether you’re a high income or low income, you need a car. You need a car,” Funaro said. “Maybe you don’t have a BMW, but you need a car.”
After voicing his views, Funaro made two requests of council.
“I think there should be a written legal opinion on what your options are on the Nagle site,” Funaro said.
He also asked for a “full accounting” of the township’s affordable housing trust fund fees with documentation as to how the funds have been used.
Council did not respond to Funaro’s request for documentation.
The next meeting of Moorestown Township Council will be on Monday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall.
