Draft_October 2025_West Orange_HEFSP_with Appendices

82-20 April 14, 2020 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, on July 7, 2015, the Township of West Orange (the “Township”) filed a Declaratory Judgment Complaint in Superior Court, Law Division, pursuant to In re N.J.A.C. 5:96 and 5:97, 221 N.J. (2015) (Mount Laurel IV), seeking, among other things, a judicial declaration that its Housing Element and Fair Share Plan (hereinafter “Fair Share Plan"), as to be amended as necessary, satisfies its “fair share” of the regional need for low and moderate income housing pursuant to the “Mount Laurel doctrine”; and WHEREAS, the Township simultaneously sought, and ultimately secured, a protective Order providing the Township with immunity from all exclusionary zoning lawsuits while it pursues approval of its Fair Share Plan; and WHEREAS, the Trial Judge appointed Elizabeth McManus, PP, AICP, LEED AP, as the Special Court Master (hereinafter the “Court Master’), as is customary in Mount Laurel matters adjudicated in the courts; and WHEREAS, with the assistance from the Court Master, the Township and Fair Share Housing Center (hereinafter “FSHC") engaged in good faith negotiations which resulted in an amicable accord on the various substantive terms and conditions as set forth in the Settlement Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, the Township was represented in these negotiations by the Township's Affordable Housing Planner Shirley Bishop; and WHEREAS, through the process, the Township and FSHC agreed upon the Township's affordable housing obligations and the compliance techniques necessary for 69297-006: 800617.1