Through a virtual meeting necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gloucester Township Council met March 30, with audience participation through YouTube and a dial-in service.
During the meeting, council passed three ordinances on second reading — following a public hearing — in regard to the township’s affordable housing obligations.
According to information provided by Business Administrator Tom Cardis, Gloucester Township is responsible for adding 1,014 affordable housing units in the township by 2025 as part of its third-round obligations.
The township met its previous round of obligations of 359 required units between 1987 and 1999.
Through the ordinances passed upon first reading, the township is implementing zoning changes that will allow it to build additional affordable housing units. The township’s next compliance meeting regarding affordable housing units is in May.
As part of the three ordinances, existing legislation would be amended for the Lakeland Complex Phase I Redevelopment Project to allow multi-family housing, with 20 percent set aside for low- and moderate-income families. Meanwhile, council also wants to adopt an overlay of existing zoning for a portion of Lakeland Complex Phase 2.
According to Solicitor David Carlamere, the passing of the first ordinance restates the township housing plan, while also amending the protocol the township follows to report data to local government services.
Resident Ray Polidoro, speaking over the phone to council during online public participation, asked if vacant homes in and around Gloucester Township can be included in the township’s third-round obligations for affordable housing.
Carlamere believes the requirement that the township is currently set to add will decrease due to the amendment at the Lakeland Complex.
“The number that the township has previously settled on is going to change to be a lesser requirement because of the number of our obligations that’s being met by the Lakeland Campus,” Carlamere said. “The township is still implementing and going forward with its Market-to-Affordable Program, but that’s a very difficult hurdle to overcome in a short period of time.”
Carlamere added that the township is able to acquire vacant, market-rate homes and convert them to apply to its Market-to-Affordable Program.
Following the meeting’s agenda items, Councilman Dan Hutchinson thanked those in the community who continue to perform essential duties while the township, county, state and nation continue to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I want to thank all the essential personnel, whether or not they’re construction workers, doctors, nurses, police officers, [grocery workers] … everybody’s important,” Hutchinson said.
In reviewing potential options to help residents find solutions in dealing with tax payments and other issues during the pandemic, Hutchinson said he would like council to review potential solutions, such as possibly extending the property tax deadline.
