West Orange Township_Fourth Round HEFSP_Final Draft

Township of West Orange August 2025 Essex County, New Jersey Draft Housing Element and Fair Share Plan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On October 17, 2019, the Township Zoning Board adopted a resolution, which granted site plan approval to construct a mixed-use apartment building with a retail space and a childcare center on the site. The development comprises 70 total units, including 11 affordable units. This new residential community, now known as “The West,” was completed in 2023, and is fully occupied. Prior to the construction of the West, a hotel occupied the site. A deed which established the affordability controls and established the affordable housing covenants for the site was filed on March 23, 2023. The deed notes that the affordable units may only be used for providing rental dwelling units for very-low-income residents, or those in need of supportive and special needs housing. Within the West complex, a total of six (6) units, containing 11 bedrooms, have been constructed. All 11 bedrooms are being applied to the Township’s Fourth Round Unmet Need obligation. The Township will claim all 11 bonus credits, at a ratio of 1 bonus credits per 1 unit, as the proposed units meet the COAH criteria described below: “Each unit of low- or moderate-income housing for individuals with special needs or permanent supportive housing, as those terms are defined in section 2 of P.L. 2004, c.70 (C.34:1B-21.24).” The site is appropriate for multifamily low- and moderate-income housing as it is available, approvable, developable, and suitable: • Available: The site has no easements or title issues preventing its development. • Suitable: The site borders residential neighborhoods and is located along a roadway with commercial and recreational assets. Its development is consistent with the goals and strategies outlined in the State Plan. The site is located within the Metropolitan Planning Area (PA 1). Further, the site’s frontage along Northfield Avenue offers access to employment and service establishments. • Developable: The site falls within sewer and public water service areas and has access to appropriate public streets with frontage on Northfield Avenue. While a portion of the site is constrained by steep slopes and flood hazard

within sewer and public water service areas and has access to appropriate public streets with frontage on Northfield Avenue. While a portion of the site is constrained by steep slopes and flood hazard areas, the proposed development has been concentrated within the unconstrained areas of the site. • Approvable: The site received approval from the Zoning Board on October 17, 2019, to construct a multifamily development on the site, which includes 11 affordable bedrooms. The development is fully occupied. 72