Crest Designates Overlay Zone; Spared New Construction

WILDWOOD CREST ─ Since the passage of the New Jersey Fair Housing Act in 1985, every municipality faces the unique challenge of balancing low-income housing availability with the needs of other residents. Borough leaders and residents exchanged dialogue with the Fair Housing Center in reaching an agreement suitable for the borough and keeping the law.  
In 2017, Crest officials announced the borough is not obligated to build new construction. Administrator Constance Mahon told the Herald in 2017 that the Crest is “pleased” with the Fair Housing Center’s decision. The Crest and the Center reached a settlement agreement in 2017.
In compliance with the agreement, a recently passed ordinance reads, “Given the built-out nature of the Borough, an effective affordable housing overlay zone will produce affordable units when suitable opportunities become available through redevelopment or other planning mechanisms.”
The newly formed overlay zone will “preclude the need for rezoning on suitable and developable properties along the New Jersey Avenue corridor,” according to the overlay ordinance. This “realistic opportunity” complies with the Fair Housing Act, allowing the borough to fulfill its obligation.
The overlay zone is divided into two sections. First, within the business zone, the section will reach from East Cresse Avenue to Myrtle Road (north to south). The second section is smaller (also in the business zone) and will extend from Syracuse to Topeka avenues (north to south). According to the ordinance, both sections will “also extend to include at least the parcels of land along both sides of New Jersey Avenue with some areas containing several parcels.”
An administration agent and municipal housing liaison will be employed to carry out responsibilities of oversight and administration of the housing program within the Crest.
Subject to COAH (Council of Affordable Housing) approval, the liaison will be appointed by the commission and may be a full- or part-time employee. Compensation will be determined by the commission.
Mayor Don Cabrera told the Herald March 12 the ordinances regarding Fair Housing are a “result of all that work” done in 2017. Nothing is built, according to Cabrera.
A “payment mechanism” is also newly established and development fees, paid by a developer, are in place, according to the ordinance. All fees will enter an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, maintained by the Crest’s chief financial officer.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.