West Amwell Township Housing Committee Meeting
COAH

November 15, 2001

Members present were Susan Molnar, Linda Wilson, Nancy Palladino, Joan Vander Veen.

Members absent were Betty Jane Hunt and Ruth Hall.

Ms. Molnar made a motion to approve the minutes of October 25, 2001, which was seconded by Ms. Wilson. All present voted to approve the minutes with the exception of Ms. Vander Veen, who abstained from the vote. The motion carried.

Ms. Palladino reported that she attended a COAH seminar at the League of Municipalities Convention and was intrigued by the discussion. She stated that she learned that there are three tools available to municipalities to aid in obtaining additional COAH credits without the need to build additional units. The three tools are as follows:

1. Credits without controls;
2. Write-down, buy down for units built between 1980-1986, and
3. Substantial compliance.

Ms. Palladino also stated that during the discussion of the new methodology would be "fair, predictable, and understandable."

Ms. Palladino reported a homeowner who lives in the commons area of the township has expressed an interest in an ECHO housing unit. The homeowner will be appearing before before the township’s Board of Adjustment regarding the request. Ms. Palladino further stated that there was an article in the Hunterdon Democrat regarding the availability of an ECHO unit in Hunterdon County for $32,000.

The committee discussed the proposed ECHO ordinance and decided that the committee would meet twice during December for a special meeting to discuss the ordinance as well as a regular monthly meeting. The special meeting to further discuss the ordinance will take place on Thursday, December 20, 2001 at the home of Linda Wilson.

AS part of the discussion regarding the ECHO housing ordinance, Ms. Palladino mentioned that there was some question regarding application and escrow fees for the ECHO units. Ms. Palladino mentioned that the correct application for a minor subdivision requires a $100.00 application fee and a $500.00 escrow fee. It was the consensus that the application and escrow fees be the same for ECHO units as well.

Ms. Palladino stated that in response to Shirley Bishop’s letter requesting information from West Amwell Township regarding its certification requirements, Betty Jane Hunt put together a package of materials, including ordinances and resolutions adopted over the past several years pertaining to the township’s COAH obligation. Included in this package of materials was information relating to the collection of developing fees along with a spending plan. The COAH committee members felt that the packet was complete and suggested that the information be sent to Shirley Bishop.

There was a brief discussion regarding other ways to provide affordable housing within the township for the next round. Ms. Wilson was asked to contact Presbyterian Homes to schedule a future presentation on assisted housing.

With no further business before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm.

We will meet again on Tuesday, December 4, 2001.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Molnar