RUMANA MAINTAINS CONCERN OVER COAH IMPACT

RUMANA MAINTAINS CONCERN OVER COAH IMPACTCOUNCIL MEETS TO CONSIDER LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES MOTION TO STAY FAIR SHARE PLANS 

As the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) met today to listen to a motion by the New Jersey League of Municipalities requesting a stay on the December 31, 2008 deadline for towns to submit their Fair Share Plans, Assemblyman Scott Rumana reiterated the devastating impact the Council’s new rules will have on municipalities from the financial and development perspectives.

“Every week there are stories about the difficulties that towns throughout the state are encountering as they attempt to comply with COAH’s new housing mandate,” stated Rumana (R- Passaic, Bergen, Essex).  “The latest victim caught in COAH’s web is Woodbury, a town in Gloucester County.  Its council reluctantly voted to amend the budget and allocate $37,000 of its surplus to satisfy affordable housing requirements.  How ironic that even a municipality with a reputation for historically providing more affordable units than called for under COAH should now be penalized financially.  Examples such as these are not atypical.”

Rumana’s comments come after a story by the Gloucester County Times detailed the town council’s action on Monday that was reportedly taken to protect itself legally.  The story went on to say that if the town does not develop its Fair Share Plan by the end of the year, it could be at risk for a builder’s remedy lawsuit, that could effectively prevail over the local zoning laws.  Town officials fear that without a plan, courts would likely decide in favor of the developer.

“The consequences of the new legislation and rules are far-reaching,” continued Rumana.  “Towns are continuing to feel the consequences, as in the case of Woodbury, that needed to dip into its surplus in order to comply.  The ramifications, whether unintended or not, are wreaking havoc across the state. How long will it take for the state to recognize its mistake?”

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