Politics & Government

Ordinance Allows Possibility of Group Home in Colts Neck

An amendment to affordable housing code in Colts Neck will allow for developers to meet housing requirements by building a Group Home.

At last week’s meeting, the committee was asked to ammend current development regulations in order to further meet .

A presentation by Long Range Planning member Timothy Anfuso, detailing how a Group Home would help developers in the town reach affordable housing standards.

Colts Neck complies with COAH, and for every new development in the township, market-rate homes are offered by the developer. Anfusu presented a way to ammend the township’s existing development regulations, to allow for the possibility of a Group Home.

According to the ordinance, a Group Home is an “alternative to fulfilling the affordable housing requirement.”

The ordinance goes on to say developer’s of residential units that are required to provide affordable housing may opt to create a Group Home to fulfill that need.

There are several regulations that define a Group Home. The home must be operated by a licensed operator which provides an atmosphere in the home that fosters those with developmental disabilities. Residents will share in home responsibilities, and the staff will provide supervision and assistance. The ultimate goal for the home is to move the residents toward independence.

The ordinance defines a developmental disability as the following:

  • Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental or physical impairments.
  • The disability manifests before age 22.
  • The disability is likely to continue indefinitely.
  • Results in substantial functional limitations, in three or more of the following areas of major activity; self-care, receptive and/or expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction and capacity for living or economic self-sufficiency.
  • Reflects the need for a combination and sequence of special interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment, or other services which are life-long or extended duration and are individually planned or coordinated.
  • Drug, alcohol or substance abuse shall not be considered a developmental disability.

The home operator will be under the direction of licensing from the NJ Department of Human Services and use of the house is under the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls.

Committeeman Michael Fitzgerald expressed concern that the township does not choose the home operator.

“I’m not comfortable with only negotiating with one home operator that the developer picks,” he said.

But township attorney John Bennett said the township does have some pull in the negotiation process.

“If the don’t agree with us, they don’t build,” Bennett said.

Residents of the home must be 18-years or older, in order for Colts Neck to receive affordable housing credits with the state. The ordinance also calls for an agricultural component to the home, which could include raising, training and breeding of animals.

As with most affordable housing units, the developer will be under payment in lieu of taxes for 30 years. The developer also agrees to remain at the state’s affordable rates for 30 years.

Builders that create developments in the township must have a mix of market-rate housing within the development. As an incentive, developers do not receive certificates of occupancy from the township until 75 percent of the affordable housing units are complete.

Currently, the township has no plans to develop a group home. The amendment to the ordinance was not voted on last week, pending some wording changes.


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