AH to COAH: Enough is enough ALYSSA PASSEGGIO, Senior Staff Writer, The Courier, July 17 Posted:07/18/08
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The Atlantic Highlands Council demonstrated its frustration with the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) during its meeting on July 9.
“[These obligations] make no sense. I don’t know where they get their information from,” Borough Administrator Adam Hubeny said.
Hubeny said the borough’s previous affordable housing obligation was 87 units, and as of May 6, its assignment was 146 units.
“By increasing the number of units in the suburbs [COAH] has imposed a substantial burden on the municipalities,” Borough Attorney Bernard Reilly said.
Under the 2004 COAH projection, 25 jobs were created in town and three shared growth units were required, Hubeny said.
The initial third round obligations anticipated 379 jobs and required 44 units in growth share, he said. The updated third round obligations predicted 602 new jobs and mandated 54 new units, he added.
“I have no clue where [COAH] gets these numbers. It is totally absurd,” Hubeny said.
The obligation was being fulfilled through senior housing, low-income apartments and Regional Contribution Agreements (RCAs).
Reilly said recent legislation was passed prohibiting municipalities from using RCAs to fulfill its obligation.
Hubeny said the town had already submitted a third round plan that included 20 RCAs with Lakewood that the borough was still to be approved. Taking a stand
The governing body authorized its special counsel to join in on an appeal being organized by the League of Municipalities.
According to Reilly, the league is trying to gather a group of municipalities to appeal the decision in order to avoid financially burdening any one town.
It would cost $500 for a town to join the suit or $750 to file an individual appeal, which the council also authorized.
Since the appeals need be filed by July 17, the attorney noted the minor period for the league to prepare. However, Reilly noted that if the borough did not file it would lose its chance forever.
The individual appeal would only go forward at the delegation of Reilly and Hubeny, Reilly said.
Mayor Fred Rast stated that the town was in no way against affordable housing, rather they were protesting the most recent obligations from COAH. He added that property was recently purchased for future units in town.
Rast suggested that COAH was trying to alleviate housing problems in cities by passing obligations onto the suburbs.
“We are trying to say that the figures are unrealistic, especially in a small community,” Rast concluded.
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