We have had a longstanding opposition to the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) rules, which have impacted many towns and received resistance from residents throughout the state. Many towns in our district are struggling to come to terms with the enormity of complying with their housing requirements. A recent appeals court decision forcing a community to build affordable housing units despite their compliance with COAH is just one of a long line of grievances suffered by localities in dealing with the state’s affordable housing regulations.

The latest development in the troubled record of the state’s disastrous COAH rules will have a tremendous impact on Ocean Township. The town’s current affordable housing units do not satisfy their affordable housing obligation. For instance, the currently existing Middlebrook at Monmouth, Continental Gardens, Wanamassa Gardens, and Twinbrook Village apartment complexes do not qualify as part of Ocean’s COAH requirement. Now, four developers are currently suing Ocean in what is known as a builder’s remedy suit where builders can force towns to construct affordable housing.

As seen in other Monmouth County towns such as Eatontown, fighting these lawsuits can cost upwards of $800,000 in legal fees. In addition to the financial burden the court fees will bring, additional affordable housing units developed in communities can result in overdevelopment, school overcrowding, loss of open space, and higher property taxes.

In order to prevent future hardships for towns, we have made fighting the implementation of the COAH rules a priority and urged municipalities to join a lawsuit opposing the rules. In addition, we have sponsored several pieces of legislation that would give municipalities credit for units of affordable housing they currently have in place. Assembly bill number A-3441, among others, aims to reform the COAH policy and protect municipalities. In addition, Gov.-elect Chris Christie pledged to gut the COAH rules and we look forward to working closely with him to reform this misguided policy.

We also plan to hold a public meeting on the issue in Ocean Township on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. The public forum will take place at Ocean Township High School at 550 W. Park Ave., Oakhurst; all residents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Clearly, the COAH rules are a perfect example of why many residents are choosing to leave New Jersey. As the economy declines and our taxes continue to skyrocket, too many people have begun to see living in New Jersey as an unaffordable reality. Ocean Township will have to make major investments in infrastructure in order to accommodate the scores of new residents that will be moving into town — including many new students that will be educated in schools that are already overcrowded. Unfortunately, it is the Ocean taxpayers who will be forced to pick up the tab for this ill-conceived plan.

Assemblyman Dave Rible Assemblywoman Mary Pat

Angelini R-11th District

Wall