Franklin adopts fair housing law

FRANKLIN-Worried that continued delay might allow some developers to avoid their obligations, the borough council unanimously approved a new ordinance governing the construction of low- and middle-income homes. Because of the Mt. Laurel court decision, all towns in New Jersey are required to provide such housing, either by mandating construction within their own borders or by paying other towns to build the units. The law is administered by the N.J. Council on Affordable Housing, known to those in government and the construction industry as COAH. Four months ago, Franklin introduced its ordinance, but the council has held off acting on it while waiting for the state to issue a model ordinance spelling out obligations. Last week, the council decided to enact its new law, even without the state guidelines. Officials cited reports that that some developers may have tried to avoid their obligations under COAH guidelines elsewhere and said they didn't want that to happen in Franklin. The council noted that it can amend the ordinance later if state regulations n when they come out n require it. Franklin's ordinance requires developers to build one low- or moderate-income unit for each eight normal units in a development. In lieu of building the unit, developers can pay the town $142,000, which would then be used by the town to build the unit. Contractors who build fewer than eight units must pay $17,750 into a COAH trust fund for each unit built. "It's better to have it in place so developers know they have to go through this procedure," commented borough attorney Richard Clark. "But most likely, it'll have to be changed. You'll probably see this in all your towns." "I've seen other numbers from other areas that are close to where we are, and I think now is the time," agreed Mayor Doug Kistle.