LOCAL REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AGREE: COAH RULES OUT OF CONTROL
Contrary to popular belief, Republicans and Democrats in Atlantic Highlands can agree on many issues. On one current issue, politicians from both camps have united to fight an unreasonable state agency while complying to the letter and spirit of the law. Like many municipalities around the state, Atlantic Highlands is fulfilling its affordable housing obligation at great cost to the taxpayers because of government regulations spun out of control.
To date, the legal costs to the borough have exceeded over $50,000 in 2006 alone. It could be argued that much of this expense could have been avoided had not a fast buck developer challenged Atlantic Highlands before the Council of Affordable Housing. In their effort to overbuild on the waterfront of our borough, the developer proposed to build a few affordable units along with dozens of luxury townhomes. As a back door attempt to gain their approval, the developer challenged the borough's zoning ordinances as well as our plan to provide affordable housing.
In order to defend the borough's position, a special counsel and planner had to be brought in on Atlantic Highlands behalf. In early spring, a 60 page document was delivered to COAH outlining and detailing the borough's plan for affordable living. Even after articulating our position with COAH, the know it all bureaucrats in Trenton decided that the borough had 29 more steps to fulfill before our plan was deemed complete. As this column is being written, our counsel, planner and borough professionals are busy bringing the 29 requirements together to get in compliance with COAH's demands by their September 12 deadline. And even when completing this task, there is no guarantee that COAH will rule in the borough's favor.
How can any municipality anticipate over 29 additional requirements that state regulators can impose? Naturally, attorney's and planners don't work for free, so the borough is left on the hook to fund additional work. Fortunately, Atlantic Highlands Democrats and Republicans agree that this expense is worthwhile because ultimately, it is protecting the charm and beauty of our town. If COAH rules against our plan, it won't be because politicians couldn't agree, it's because Trenton has created a bureaucracy that is so far out of control with regulations that it is hurting the very fabric of every town in our state.
