West Orange Fourth Round HEFSP_adopted 111025_Appendices

Township of West Orange November 2025 Essex County, New Jersey Housing Element and Fair Share Plan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After the banquet hall closed in 2022, the site became partially occupied by Wonder, a food delivery and take-out service. Within the rear section of the property, the company is utilizing a vacant outbuilding for barbeque smokestacks. However, Wonder expects to vacate the outbuilding by September. The Third Round Housing Plan required an overlay for this property of up to 16 dwelling units/acre, with a 20% affordable set-aside. This lot was rezoned as the IHO-1 Inclusionary Housing Overlay District through Ordinance 2619-20 (adopted on October 20, 2020) (see Appendix H). Discussions to construct an inclusionary development on the site have been ongoing. It should be noted that the Redeveloper filed a builder’s remedy lawsuit in July of this year. The Township finds that the zoning in place remains appropriate for the character of the area and the need for affordable housing. The site is appropriate for inclusionary development, as it is available, approvable, developable, and suitable: • Available: The site has no easements or title issues preventing its development. • Suitable: The site is adjacent to compatible land uses, with the K-Mart/Whole Foods Shopping Center to the east, commercial uses and restaurants along Eagle Rock Avenue, and residential communities located south of Eagle Rock Avenue and west of Prospect Avenue. The site’s development is consistent with the goals and strategies outlined in the State Plan, as it is located within the Metropolitan Planning Area (PA 1). Further, residents will have direct access to Eagle Rock Avenue. • Developable: The site falls within both a sewer and public water service areas. The site is not constrained by wetlands, or located within a flood hazard area. • Approvable: The site was rezoned with an IHO-1 Inclusionary Housing Overlay on October 20, 2020 (Ordinance 2619-20). 61