NJ Housing News

From the Star Ledger:

Caldwell weighs 'steep slope' limits

A proposal to build 10 condominiums along Central Avenue in Caldwell near Bloomfield Avenue is scheduled for a hearing Wednesday night before the borough's zoning board.

But a vote by the Caldwell council tonight on whether to restrict building on "steep slopes" in the borough may affect that proposal and others suggested for hilly sections of the community.
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Last month, the zoning board began hearing the application for 10-attached condominiums on a two parcels of land 32,000-square-feet in size on Central Avenue. The projected, titled "The Brownstones at Caldwell" would require a variance to put a residential development in a business zone.

The proposal calls for two buildings, each with five condominiums, no more than three-stories in height. Each unit would have a driveway, a single-car garage and a deck.


A new look on the way for Cranford's south side

For decades, the south side of Cranford's downtown was an architectural hodgepodge of clashing buildings, with an ultra-modern bank next to an 1890s-era hotel lo cated near a strip mall.
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But over the next few years, much of that is going to change, not only because of the Cranford Crossing project now under construction -- a parking garage, 22,000 square feet of retail and office space and 50 luxury condominiums -- but because plans are in the works for commercial and residential developments that will redefine the east and west ends of the central business district.
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Downtown Cranford is experiencing an incredible development surge. In addition to Cranford Crossing, a 3.5-acre site bordered by South Avenue and the Rahway River is slated for commercial development and an estimated 100 townhouses.

Another 75 residential units were just approved for a 4-acre va cant tract on South Avenue, alongside the old Central Railroad of New Jersey tracks. The three-story residential complex will become the defining point for the eastern end of the downtown area; on the western edge, a Walgreens will soon replace the Bradley Corru gated Box Co. on South Avenue, Prunty said.
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While Cranford may be in the spotlight now, when it comes to the communities along the Raritan Valley Line, the focus is likely to shift to Somerville, where a 112-acre site, a former dump, is slated for development. The site is within easy walking distance of the train station.


Clinton Twp. accepts Windy Acres plan

To a mix of grudging acceptance and glum objections last night, the Clinton Township Council and planning board approved the latest version of their settlement with Pulte Homes over the proposed Windy Acres development.

The council approved the contract 3-0. Mayor Nick Corcodilos did not participate because he is a nearby property owner, and Councilwoman Rose Marie Malaker was absent because of illness.
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The first option under the new contract remains from last year. Pulte could build 365 age-restricted units plus 90 residences for low- or moderate-income persons on former farmland, and would provide land for another 60 affordable homes.


From the Asbury Park Press:
Developer argues that Mount Laurel took land illegally

The state Supreme Court on Monday heard arguments in a case that could have national implications for a municipality's right to use eminent domain to slow development and preserve open space.

A developer, MiPro Homes LLC, wanted to build 23 single-family homes on a 16-acre parcel at Elbo Lane and Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road in Mount Laurel. The township seized the property to preserve it as open space.

MiPro sued the municipality, and a lower court ruled the township acted legally. The Supreme Court did not issue a decision.
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Baron argued the township acted in "bad faith" by waiting to condemn the land until after the developer received necessary approvals. The land was zoned for residential development in the municipality's master plan, he said.

"If the condemnation can take place without any planning, what would stop a municipality from taking any property because they don't like the use?" he said.


From the AP via the Star Ledger:
Jersey's economic growth tails off early in 2006

Economic growth in New Jersey slowed in the first three months of the year, burdened by an increase in initial unemployment claims, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reported yesterday.

The regional bank's latest monthly forecast projected moderate economic growth of 2.2 percent through the end of the year.

"Basically, the first quarter in New Jersey was a little slower on most measures, but overall, the economy is in pretty good shape," said a bank economist, Vice President Theodore Crone.
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"Housing was a big driver previously, and now it's going to level off," as it is doing nationally, he said. "It is sort of the exhaustion of a rapid expansion."


From the Herald/Record:
Sharing helps towns cut costs

With hundreds of municipalities -- all with their own infrastructures -- and soaring property taxes, finding any way to cut costs is no longer a luxury for local officials in New Jersey.

It's a necessity.

"We have 566 towns, approximately 700 fire districts and hundreds of school districts," said Susan Bass Levin, commissioner of the state's Department of Community Affairs. "Each year, the budgets get tighter, costs go up and towns face the pinch of rising utility bills, collective bargaining and increasing health insurance.

"We need to do a better job of streamlining our operations."
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So why aren't more municipalities sharing services?

"These are quality-of-life services which are different from manufacturing widgets in the private sector," Dressel said. "You have to be concerned about making sure that all [residents] are going to receive the same level of services under a new cooperative agreement.