Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, July 10, 2008 OUR 118th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 28-2008 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SIXTY CENTS Officials Opposed to Changes in NJ Affordable Housing Rules By: KATHERINE VOWELL every four market-rate units and for bers are flawed; they are based on 2002, Specially Written for The Westfield Leader every 16 jobs. Previous ratios were one rather than last year’s data,” he added. AREA — The Senate on June 23 for every eight units and one for every “Using aerial photographs taken in approved, by a tally of 21-16, the big- 25 jobs, respectively. 2002, the Council on Affordable Hous- gest overhaul of the state’s affordable Much of the controversy has sur- ing has [mandated] municipalities to housing regulations in 20 years. The rounded the elimination of RCAs. The build new housing on military bases, legislation, A-500, regarding the revi- RCA was a method for a fully devel- nature preserves, college campuses and sions made to the Council on Afford- oped town to meet its affordable hous- even at highway medians and rest stops.” able Housing (COAH), was passed in a ing quota by paying a neighboring com- Westfield GOP Councilman Jim 44-34-2 assembly vote, which mainly munity to build units where land is Foerst said that without the RCA, it fell along party lines. available. would be difficult for towns to satisfy Major changes in the bill are: the Towns like Westfield have used RCAs their affordable housing obligations elimination of Regional Contribution to manage their growth, according to within their borders. Agreements (RCA); a 2.5 percent non- Senator Tom Kean Jr. (LD-22, “It doesn’t make sense to force towns residential development fee to fund Westfield), a Republican, who voted to squeeze these affordable [housing] construction and renovation, and the against the bill. obligations within their own borders creation of a state commission to man- “The concern is that the affordable when there are towns looking to de- age funding. housing obligations could trump open velop blighted areas, looking to have COAH also released revised growth space and preserved areas,” Mr. Kean some affordable units in their areas,” share rules stipulating that one afford- said. Mr. Foerst said. able housing unit to be constructed for “A lot of the affordable housing num- Mr. Foerst said builders who are faced with a lack of available land and restrictions on the scope of develop- ment “have the right to exercise a ‘builder’s remedy lawsuit’ and sue the Wayne Baker for The Westfield Leader Town of Westfield and force us, under CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE…The Sons of the American Revolution color guard retreats after delivering the flag the COAH law, to allow [them] to put in at last Thursday’s concert by the Westfield Community Band at Mindowaskin Park. The color guard (front to rear) is 50 [instead of the acceptable 16] units composed of Ken Ward of Westfield, Steve Clarke of Madison and Dick Blundin of North Plainfield. because [they are] including affordable units in the mix.” Assemblywoman Linda Stender (LD-22, Fanwood), a Democrat, also Planning Board Approves Three- voted against the bill, primarily be- cause she “opposed the elimination of RCA as part of the legislation.” Home Subdivision on Rahway Ave. “I don’t believe that the legislation By KATIE ROGERS board. four months, whereas the homes will will do what it was intended to do,” Ms. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader “We have attained a tree removal take between six and seven months to Stender said. “I agree with the goals, WESTFIELD – The Westfield Plan- permit and the layout was Okayed by build. The developers anticipate be- and there certainly is a need for afford- ning Board on Monday approved final the fire department,” Mr. Trembulak ginning to build in September. able housing, but I did not agree with subdivision plans submitted by said. The proposal was first approved by this legislation as the solution.” Daunno Development Company of Rudolph Daunno, founder of board member Robert Newell and “We should be looking at more in- Clark to build three, new single-fam- Daunno Development Company, de- given a second vote by town engineer Wayne Baker for The Westfield Leader IT’S A BLAST… Light rain didn’t dampen spirits as crowds watched Indepen- tense development in the already-de- ily residences on Rahway Avenue in scribed plans to build a preview home Kenneth Marsh. dence Day fireworks at Nomahegan Park in Cranford. veloped areas of the urban communi- Westfield. Currently, the property con- before going ahead with the other two With the board’s approval, the ties that have the infrastructure in place, tains two homes and open land in the homes. Daunno group will move forward with instead of contributing to suburban rear. “We call them preview homes, not plans to take out a loan to begin work sprawl,” she added. The original proposal for the land model homes, because no two homes on the project. The board will memo- Residents Sue Planning Bd. In a press release issued by the was brought before the board in No- on the subdivision will look alike,” rialize the plans on Aug. 4, 2008. Assembly Democratic Majority Of- vember 2005, and developers returned Mr. Daunno said. The subdivision, Forest Glen Re- Over ‘Little Gatehouse’ fice, Assembly Speaker Joseph Rob- three years later seeking approval for He said all site improvements in the alty Association, was previously erts (LD-5, Camden), who sponsored their final updated plans. area will be completed within three to CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 By PAUL J. PEYTON and closer to the perimeter roads if the the bill, stated, “New Jerseyans need Attorney Alan Trembulak presented Specially Written for The Westfield Leader correct frontage (East Broad Street) homes they can afford and jobs they the plans of Daunno Development WESTFIELD – A group of Westfield was designated as the frontage.” can reach. The state must lead by Company. Michael Lanzafama of Residents to Bear Sidewalk, residents have filed a lawsuit against the The lawsuit states that the decision example by expanding access to eq- Casey and Keller Associates of town’s planning board and a resident, was made by the town’s zoning officer uitable and affordable housing.” Millburn represented the new team of and are seeking a reversal of the board’s prior to the start of the board hearings In that same press release, Assem- engineers brought on board for the Curb Replacements Costs approval to subdivide and create two on the application. blyman Jerry Green (LD-22, Plainfield), final plans. By MICHAEL J. POLLACK Mr. Gildea said no one would be new building lots on Canterbury Lane The board, in its legal response, said who also sponsored the bill, stated, Mr. Lanzafama said errors in lot Specially Written for The Westfield Leader “grand-fathered” in to the previous off of Wychwood Road. One of the lots the board “admits that an issue arose as “Low-income New Jersey families are estimation from the original plans have WESTFIELD – At last week’s pub- arrangement. would feature a new home in front of the to whether the property had frontage on burdened by some of the highest rents been corrected and the current estima- lic meeting, the Westfield Council Though the council did not vote on smaller of two Gatehouses at the East East Broad Street, but asserts that the and housing costs in the nation. We tion is 20,056 square feet. He said the discussed upcoming changes to the the sidewalk initiative last week and Broad Street entrance to Wychwood. zoning officer and the planning board have a moral responsibility to countless county has reviewed loose ends from town’s curb and sidewalk replace- will not formalize the matter until it The board approved the application concluded that the frontage of the prop- New Jerseyans – disabled residents, the first site map, which show the ment policies. approves the next sidewalk improve- in February, by a 6-1 tally, to subdivide erty lies upon Wychwood Road.” families living on limited incomes and boundaries of the property and a new During the meeting’s public com- ment ordinance, the council has stated the existing lot into two lots, with the The plaintiffs argued that the vari- senior citizens – to ensure access to public road. The new road will be a ment portion, Doris Chamberlain of its desire to move in this direction. applicant planning to construct a two- ance should have been required for the housing is safe and affordable.” cul-de-sac. West Broad Street questioned the The council did, however, approve story, 4,000-square-foot English coun- rear setback requirements, but because While many are concerned with “We have secured all questions from council as to when the new proposed the curbing change. Previously, re- try manor-style home at 200 Canter- the home was located on Wychwood it the elimination of RCAs, Michael 2005,” Mr. Lanzafama said. sidewalk-improvement plan would placement curbing was funded via bury Lane. became a variance-free application. Cerra, senior legislative analyst for Mr. Lanzafama and Mr. Trembulak take effect. the 50/50 arrangement. Installing new Residents Bruce Blumberg, Betty According to count two of the suit, the New Jersey League of Munici- also announced to the board that plans Two weeks ago, the council dis- curbing has always been funded List, William Tittle, Brian and Kathleen “The applicant intentionally circum- palities, said the shortfall for the com- to develop have been agreed upon by cussed a preliminary policy change through a 100 percent assessment to Fitzpatrick, Amy Jester, Frank vented the clear purpose of the zoning mercial development fee would have adjoining homes, and are therefore in which the town would continue property owners.