Planning Board Discusses Development Fee

The Montville Township planning board discussed the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) at Thursday night's meeting. 

Specifically, the board discussed how fees on new construction in the township could offset the costs of providing rehabilitation to low income houses.

According to board member Gary Lewis, the township has already has met it's quota of low to middle income housing and all that is left is to decide where funds for rehabilitation of the low to middle income housing will come from. The town will have to set funds aside to meet its last obligation to COAH.

Board planner Joseph Burgis said that the maximum development fee permitted would be 1.5 percent. Lewis said that he did not believe the board had settled on a recommendation, and suggested that the board discuss the issue before making a recommendation to the township committee.

A one percent fee was discussed as one possible option.

"That one percent fee on a three-million dollar house can be $30,000 and it's not assessed value; it's the equalized assessed value," Lewis said. "I want to be a little careful; when you have a high end housing market, I'm not sure I support one percent."

Burgis agreed that the issue should be looked into.

"Whether you want a half a percent, or a quarter of a percent, is something to discuss," said Burgis. "But from a planning perspective I think it's one of the best ways to deal with your affordable housing obligation."

Board president Russ Lipari said that because he believed the matter never came to a conclusion, that it should be further discussed at the planning board's June 9 meeting. After which, it is possible the board could make a recommendation to the township committee.