[Ord. #2001-02 § I]
This Chapter may be known as the "Frelinghuysen Township Affordable Housing Ordinance of 1999."
[Ord. #2001-02 § II]
The purpose of this Chapter is to meet the goals of N.J.S.A. 52:27D-301 et seq. "Fair Housing Act," and the So. Burlington County, N.A.A.C.P. v Mount Laurel Township, 92 N.J. 158,238 ("Mount Laurel II") in which the Court held in part:
"…the constitutional obligation imposed upon each municipality should not translate into unnecessary growth, bad planning and suburban sprawl."
a. 
To meet the need as determined by the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH);
b. 
To promote continuous provision of affordable housing by keeping pace with the growth of the municipality pursuant to this ordinance;
c. 
To fulfill the objectives of the Fair Housing Act and the State Development and Redevelopment Plan (SDRP), pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-303, et seq.
d. 
To manage growth and development, related traffic impact and the associated economic impact of municipal services, schools and property taxes in a manner that meets affordable housing goals without compromising the environment, open space, character and historic values of the municipality;
e. 
To ensure that State and municipal investment in farmland preservation is protected.
f. 
To discourage and prevent pollution of air, water, and land and other degradation of natural resources.
g. 
To distribute affordable housing units throughout the residential zones impartially and justly.
h. 
To protect the taxpayers of the Township from expending public funds in defense of a "builders remedy suit" which wastes tax dollars and chokes the Court system.
[Ord. #2001-02 § IV]
For the purpose of this Chapter, the terms used are as defined in MLUL and the Land Use Code of the municipality. In addition, the following definitions shall apply:
COAH
Shall mean Council on Affordable Housing.
DEVELOPER
Shall mean any person involved in the construction of new housing stock.
DEVELOPMENT
Shall mean the construction of any building or structure, and all site preparation therefor, for the purpose of residential use.
[Ord. #2006-05 § 20-4]
The purpose of this section is to create the administrative mechanisms needed for the execution of Frelinghuysen Township's responsibility to assist in the provisions of affordable housing pursuant to the Fair Housing Act of 1985.
[Ord. #2006-05 § 20.5]
As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Shall mean the entity responsible for administrating the affordability controls of some or all units in the affordable housing program for Frelinghuysen Township to ensure that the restricted units under administration are affirmatively marketed and sold or rented, as applicable, only to low- and moderate-income households.
MUNICIPAL HOUSING LIAISON
Shall mean the employee charged by the governing body with the responsibility for oversight and administration of the affordable housing program for Frelinghuysen Township.
[Ord. #2006-05 § 20-6]
a. 
Establishment of Position of Municipal Housing Liaison. There is hereby established the position of Municipal Housing Liaison for Frelinghuysen Township.
b. 
Subject to the approval of the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH), the Municipal Housing Liaison shall be appointed by the governing body at its annual reorganization meeting for a term to expire on December 31st of the year of appointment. The Municipal Housing Liaison shall serve until his/her successor has been appointed and qualified. The Municipal Housing Liaison may be a full or part-time municipal employee.
c. 
The Municipal Housing Liaison shall be responsible for oversight and administration of the affordable housing program for Frelinghuysen Township, including the following responsibilities which may not be contracted out:
1. 
Serving as Frelinghuysen Township's primary point of contract for all inquiries from the State, affordable housing providers, Administrative Agents, and interested households;
2. 
Monitoring the status of all restricted units in Frelinghuysen Township's Fair Share Plan;
3. 
Compiling, verifying, and submitting annual reporting as required by COAH;
4. 
Coordinating meetings with affordable housing providers and Administrative Agents, as applicable;
5. 
Attending continuing education programs as may be required by COAH;
6. 
If applicable, serving as the Administrative Agent for some or all of the restricted units in Frelinghuysen Township as described in paragraph f below.
d. 
Subject to approval by COAH, Frelinghuysen Township may contract with or authorize a consultant, authority, government or any agency charged by the governing body, which entity shall have the responsibility of administering the affordable housing program of Frelinghuysen Township. If Frelinghuysen Township contracts with another entity to administer all or any part of the affordable housing program, including the affordability controls and Affirmative Marketing Plan, the Municipal Housing Liaison shall supervise the contracting Administrative Agent.
e. 
Compensation. Compensation may be fixed by the governing body at the time of the appointment of the Municipal Housing Liaison.
f. 
The Municipal Housing Liaison shall have the following powers:
1. 
Soliciting, scheduling, conducting and following up on interviews with interested households;
2. 
Providing written notification to each applicant as to the determination of eligibility or noneligibility.
3. 
Requiring that all certified applicants for restricted units execute a certificate substantially in the form, as applicable, of either the ownership or rental certificates set forth in Appendices J and K of N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1 et seq.;
4. 
Creating and maintaining a referral list of eligible applicant households living in the housing region and eligible applicant households with members working in the housing region where the units are located;
5. 
Employing the random selection process as provided in the Affirmative Marketing Plan of Frelinghuysen Township when referring households;
6. 
Instituting and maintaining an effective means of communicating information between owners and the Administrative Agent regarding the availability of restricted units for resale or rental;
7. 
Instituting and maintaining an effective means of communicating information to low- and moderate-income households regarding the availability of restricted units for resale or rerental;
8. 
Reviewing and approving requests from owners of restricted units who wish to take out home equity loans or refinance during the term of their ownership;
9. 
Reviewing and approving requests to increase sale prices from owners of restricted units who wish to make capital improvements to the units that would affect the selling price, such authorizations to be limited to those improvements resulting in additional bedrooms or bathrooms and the cost of central air conditioning systems;
10. 
Processing requests and making determination on requests by owners of restricted units for hardship waivers;
11. 
Ensure that all restricted units are identified as affordable within the Tax Assessor's office and any municipal utility authority (MUA) and upon notification to the Administrative Agent of change in billing address, payment delinquency of two (2) consecutive billing cycles, transfer of title, or institution of a writ of foreclosure on all affordable units, notifying all owners that they must either move back to their unit or sell it;
12. 
Securing from all developers and sponsors of restricted units, at the earliest point of contact in the processing of the project or development, written acknowledgement of the requirement that no restricted unit can be offered, or in any other way committed, to any person, other than a household duly certified to the unit by the Administrative Agent;
13. 
The posting annually in all rental properties, including two-family homes, of a notice as to the maximum permitted rent together with the telephone number of the Administrative Agent where complaints of excess rent can be made;
14. 
Sending annual mailings to all owners of affordable dwelling units, reminding them of the notices and requirements outlined in N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.18(d)4;
15. 
Establishing a program for diverting unlawful rent payments to the municipality's affordable housing trust fund or other appropriate municipal fund approved by the DCA;
16. 
Establishing a rent-to-equity program;
17. 
Creating and publishing a written operating manual, as approved by COAH, setting forth procedures for administering such affordability controls; and
18. 
Providing annual reports to COAH as required.
19. 
The Administrative Agent shall have the authority to take all actions necessary and appropriate to carry out its responsibilities hereunder.
[1]
Editor's Note: Prior ordinance history includes portions of Ordinance No. 2001-02.
[Ord. #2009-13 § 1]
a. 
This section is intended to assure that low- and moderate-income units ("affordable units") are created with controls on affordability over time and that low- and moderate-income households shall occupy these units. This section shall apply except where inconsistent with applicable law.
b. 
The Township of Frelinghuysen Planning Board has adopted a Housing Element and Fair Share Plan pursuant to the Municipal Land Use Law at N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1, et seq. The Fair Share Plan has been endorsed by the governing body. The Fair Share Plan describes the ways Township of Frelinghuysen shall address its fair share for low- and moderate-income housing as determined by the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and documented in the Housing Element.
c. 
This section implements and incorporates the Fair Share Plan and addresses the requirements of N.J.A.C. 5:97, as may be amended and supplemented.
d. 
The Township of Frelinghuysen shall file monitoring reports with COAH in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:96, tracking the status of the implementation of the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan. Any plan evaluation report of the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan and monitoring prepared by COAH in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:96 shall be available to the public at the Township of Frelinghuysen Municipal Building, Municipal Clerk's Office, PO Box 417, 210 Route 1661, Johnsonburg, New Jersey, or from COAH at 101 South Broad Street, Trenton, New Jersey and on COAH's website, www.nj.gov/dca/affiliates/coah.
[Ord. #2009-13 § 2]
The following terms when used in this section shall have the meanings given in this section:
ACCESSORY APARTMENT
Shall mean a self-contained residential dwelling unit with a kitchen, sanitary facilities, sleeping quarters and a private entrance, which is created within an existing home, or through the conversion of an existing accessory structure on the same site, or by an addition to an existing home or accessory building, or by the construction of a new accessory structure on the same site.
ACT
Shall mean the Fair Housing Act of 1985, P.L. 1985, c. 222 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-301 et seq.).
ADAPTABLE
Shall mean constructed in compliance with the technical design standards of the Barrier Free Subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-7.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Shall mean the entity responsible for the administration of affordable units in accordance with this section, N.J.A.C. 5:96, N.J.A.C. 5:97 and N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1 et seq.
AFFIRMATIVE MARKETING
Shall mean a regional marketing strategy designed to attract buyers and/or renters of affordable units pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.15.
AFFORDABILITY AVERAGE
Shall mean the average percentage of median income at which restricted units in an affordable housing development are affordable to low- and moderate-income households.
AFFORDABLE
Shall mean, a sales price or rent within the means of a low- or moderate-income household as defined in N.J.A.C. 5:97-9; in the case of an ownership unit, that the sales price for the unit conforms to the standards set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.6, as may be amended and supplemented, and, in the case of a rental unit, that the rent for the unit conforms to the standards set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.12, as may be amended and supplemented.
AFFORDABLE DEVELOPMENT
Shall mean a housing development all or a portion of which consists of restricted units.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Shall mean a development included in the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, and includes, but is not limited to, an inclusionary development, a municipal construction project or a one hundred (100%) percent affordable development.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM(S)
Shall mean any mechanism in a municipal Fair Share Plan prepared or implemented to address a municipality's fair share obligation.
AFFORDABLE UNIT
Shall mean a housing unit proposed or created pursuant to the Act, credited pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:97-4, and/or funded through an affordable housing trust fund.
AGENCY
Shall mean the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency established by P.L. 1983, c. 530 (N.J.S.A. 55:14K-1, et seq.).
AGE-RESTRICTED UNIT
Shall mean a housing unit designed to meet the needs of, and exclusively for, the residents of an age-restricted segment of the population such that: 1) all the residents of the development where the unit is situated are sixty-two (62) years or older; or 2) at least eighty (80%) percent of the units are occupied by one (1) person that is fifty-five (55) years or older; or 3) the development has been designated by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as "housing for older persons" as defined in Section 807(b)(2) of the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3607.
ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENCE
Shall mean a facility licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services to provide apartment-style housing and congregate dining and to assure that assisted living services are available when needed for four (4) or more adult persons unrelated to the proprietor and that offers units containing, at a minimum, one (1) unfurnished room, a private bathroom, a kitchenette and a lockable door on the unit entrance.
CERTIFIED HOUSEHOLD
Shall mean a household that has been certified by an Administrative Agent as a low-income household or moderate-income household.
COAH
Shall mean the Council on Affordable Housing, which is in, but not of, the Department of Community Affairs of the State of New Jersey, that was established under the New Jersey Fair Housing Act (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-301 et seq.).
DCA
Shall mean the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
DEFICIENT HOUSING UNIT
Shall mean a housing unit with health and safety code violations that require the repair or replacement of a major system. A major system includes weatherization, roofing, plumbing (including wells), heating, electricity, sanitary plumbing (including septic systems), lead paint abatement and/or load bearing structural systems.
DEVELOPER
Shall mean any person, partnership, association, company or corporation that is the legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot or any land proposed to be included in a proposed development including the holder of an option to contract or purchase, or other person having an enforceable proprietary interest in such land.
DEVELOPMENT
Shall mean the division of a parcel of land into two (2) or more parcels, the construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation, or enlargement of any use or change in the use of any building or other structure, or of any mining, excavation or landfill, and any use or change in the use of any building or other structure, or land or extension of use of land, for which permission may be required pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.
INCLUSIONARY DEVELOPMENT
Shall mean a development containing both affordable units and market rate units. This term includes, but is not necessarily limited to: new construction, the conversion of a nonresidential structure to residential and the creation of new affordable units through the reconstruction of a vacant residential structure.
LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD
Shall mean a household with a total gross annual household income equal to fifty (50%) percent or less of the median household income.
LOW-INCOME UNIT
Shall mean a restricted unit that is affordable to a low-income household.
MAJOR SYSTEM
Shall mean the primary structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire protection, or occupant service components of a building which include but are not limited to, weatherization, roofing, plumbing (including wells), heating, electricity, sanitary plumbing (including septic systems), lead paint abatement or load bearing structural systems.
MARKET-RATE UNITS
Shall mean housing not restricted to low- and moderate-income households that may sell or rent at any price.
MEDIAN INCOME
Shall mean the median income by household size for the applicable county, as adopted annually by COAH.
MODERATE-INCOME HOUSEHOLD
Shall mean a household with a total gross annual household income in excess of fifty (50%) percent but less than eighty (80%) percent of the median household income.
MODERATE-INCOME UNIT
Shall mean a restricted unit that is affordable to a moderate-income household.
NON-EXEMPT SALE
Shall mean any sale or transfer of ownership other than the transfer of ownership between husband and wife; the transfer of ownership between former spouses ordered as a result of a judicial decree of divorce or judicial separation, but not including sales to third parties; the transfer of ownership between family members as a result of inheritance; the transfer of ownership through an executor's deed to a class A beneficiary and the transfer of ownership by court order.
RANDOM SELECTION PROCESS
Shall mean a process by which currently income-eligible households are selected for placement in affordable housing units such that no preference is given to one applicant over another except for purposes of matching household income and size with an appropriately priced and sized affordable unit (e.g., by lottery).
REGIONAL ASSET LIMIT
Shall mean the maximum housing value in each housing region affordable to a four-person household with an income at eighty (80%) percent of the regional median as defined by COAH's adopted Regional Income Limits published annually by COAH.
REHABILITATION
Shall mean the repair, renovation, alteration or reconstruction of any building or structure, pursuant to the Rehabilitation Subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.
RENT
Shall mean the gross monthly cost of a rental unit to the tenant, including the rent paid to the landlord, as well as an allowance for tenant-paid utilities computed in accordance with allowances published by DCA for its section 8 program. In assisted living residences, rent does not include charges for food and services.
RESTRICTED UNIT
Shall mean a dwelling unit, whether a rental unit or ownership unit, that is subject to the affordability controls of N.J.A.C. 5:80-26. 1, as may be amended and supplemented, but does not include a market-rate unit financed under UHORP or MONI.
UHAC
Shall mean the Uniform Housing Affordability Controls set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1 et seq.
VERY LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD
Shall mean a household with a total gross annual household income equal to thirty (30%) percent or less of the median household income.
VERY LOW-INCOME UNIT
Shall mean a restricted unit that is affordable to a very low-income household.
WEATHERIZATION
Shall mean building insulation (for attic, exterior walls and crawl space), siding to improve energy efficiency, replacement storm windows, replacement storm doors, replacement windows and replacement doors, and is considered a major system for rehabilitation.
[Ord. #2009-13 § 3]
The Township of Frelinghuysen has determined that it will use the following mechanisms to satisfy its affordable housing obligations:
a. 
Rehabilitation Program.
1. 
Township of Frelinghuysen's rehabilitation program shall be designed to renovate deficient housing units occupied by low- and moderate-income households such that, after rehabilitation, these units will comply with the New Jersey State Housing Code pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:28.
2. 
Both owner occupied and renter occupied units shall be eligible for rehabilitation funds.
3. 
All rehabilitated units shall remain affordable to low- and moderate-income households for a period of ten (10) years (the control period). For owner occupied units the control period will be enforced with a lien and for renter occupied units the control period will be enforced with a deed restriction.
4. 
The Township of Frelinghuysen shall dedicate a minimum of ten thousand ($10,000) dollars for each unit to be rehabilitated through this program, reflecting the minimum hard cost of rehabilitation for each unit.
5. 
The Township of Frelinghuysen shall adopt a resolution committing to fund any shortfall in the rehabilitation programs for the Township of Frelinghuysen.
6. 
The Township of Frelinghuysen shall designate, subject to the approval of COAH, one (1) or more Administrative Agents to administer the rehabilitation program in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:96 and N.J.A.C. 5:97. The Administrative Agent(s) shall provide a rehabilitation manual for the owner occupancy rehabilitation program and a rehabilitation manual for the rental occupancy rehabilitation program to be adopted by resolution of the governing body and subject to approval of COAH. Both rehabilitation manuals shall be available for public inspection in the Office of the Municipal Clerk and in the office(s) of the Administrative Agent(s).
7. 
Units in a rehabilitation program shall be exempt from N.J.A.C. 5:97-9 and Uniform Housing Affordability Controls (UHAC), but shall be administered in accordance with the following:
(a) 
If a unit is vacant, upon initial rental subsequent to rehabilitation, or if a renter-occupied unit is re-rented prior to the end of controls on affordability, the deed restriction shall require the unit to be rented to a low- or moderate-income household at an affordable rent and affirmatively marketed pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:97-9 and UHAC.
(b) 
If a unit is renter-occupied, upon completion of the rehabilitation, the maximum rate of rent shall be the lesser of the current rent or the maximum permitted rent pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:97-9 and UHAC.
(c) 
Rents in rehabilitated units may increase annually based on the standards in N.J.A.C. 5:97-9.
(d) 
Applicant and/or tenant households shall be certified as income-eligible in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:97-9 and UHAC, except that households in owner occupied units shall be, exempt from the regional asset limit.
b. 
Supportive/Special Needs.
1. 
The following provisions shall apply to group homes, residential health care facilities and supportive shared living housing:
(a) 
The unit of the credit shall be the bedroom.
(b) 
Housing that is age-restricted shall be included with the maximum number of units that may be age-restricted.
(c) 
Occupancy shall not be restricted to youth under eighteen (18) years of age.
(d) 
All sites shall meet the same suitability criteria set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:97-3.13.
2. 
The bedrooms and/or units pursuant to (1) above shall comply with N.J.A.C. 5:97-9 and UHAC with the following exceptions:
(a) 
Affirmative marketing plan; however, group homes residential health care facilities and supportive shared living housing shall be affirmatively marketed to individuals with special needs in accordance with a plan approved by the Council's Executive Director;
(b) 
Affordability average and bedroom distribution; and
(c) 
With the exception of units established with capital funding through a twenty (20) year operating contract with the Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities, group homes, residential health care facilities, and supportive shared living housing shall have the appropriate controls on affordability.
c. 
Municipally-Sponsored/One Hundred (100%) Percent Affordable Developments.
1. 
Municipally-sponsored and one hundred (100%) percent affordable developments include, but are not limited to:
(a) 
Developments in which all units are available to low- and moderate-income households;
(b) 
Units created through a municipal partnership with a nonprofit or other affordable housing provider; and
(c) 
Developments for which the municipality serves as the primary sponsor.
2. 
The following provisions shall apply to municipally-sponsored and one hundred (100%) percent affordable developments:
(a) 
All sites shall meet the site suitability criteria set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:97-3.13.
(b) 
The municipality or developer/sponsor shall have control or the ability to control the site(s).
(c) 
The construction schedule shall provide for the construction to begin within two (2) years of substantive certification or in accordance with the municipality's implementation schedule.
(d) 
The first floor of all townhouse dwelling units and of all other multi-story dwelling units must comply with N.J.A.C. 5:97-3.14.
[Ord. #2009-13 § 4]
The following general guidelines apply to all newly constructed developments that contain low- and moderate-income housing units, including any currently unanticipated future developments that will provide low- and moderate-income housing units.
a. 
Low/Moderate Split and Bedroom Distribution of Affordable Housing Units.
1. 
The fair share obligation shall be divided equally between low- and moderate-income units, except that where there is an odd number of affordable housing units, the extra unit shall be a low income unit.
2. 
In each affordable development, at least fifty (50%) percent of the restricted units within each bedroom distribution shall be low-income units.
3. 
Affordable developments that are not age-restricted shall be structured in conjunction with realistic market demands such that:
(a) 
The combined number of efficiency and one-bedroom units shall be no greater than twenty (20%) percent of the total low- and moderate-income units;
(b) 
At least thirty (30%) percent of all low- and moderate-income units shall be two (2) bedroom units;
(c) 
At least twenty (20%) percent of all low- and moderate-income units shall be three (3) bedroom units; and
(d) 
The remaining units may be allocated among two- and three- bedroom units at the discretion of the developer.
4. 
Affordable developments that are age-restricted shall be structured such that the number of bedrooms shall equal the number of age-restricted low- and moderate-income units within the inclusionary development. The standard may be met by having all one-bedroom units or by having a two-bedroom unit for each efficiency unit.
b. 
Accessibility Requirements:
1. 
The first floor of all restricted townhouse dwelling units and all restricted units in all other multistory buildings shall be subject to the technical design standards of the Barrier Free Subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-7 and N.J.A.C. 5:97-3.14.
2. 
All restricted townhouse dwelling units and all restricted units in other multistory buildings in which a restricted dwelling unit is attached to at least one (1) other dwelling unit shall have the following features:
(a) 
An adaptable toilet and bathing facility on the first floor;
(b) 
An adaptable kitchen on the first floor;
(c) 
An interior accessible route of travel on the first floor;
(d) 
An interior accessible route of travel shall not be required between stories within an individual unit;
(e) 
An adaptable room that can be used as a bedroom, with a door or the casing for the installation of a door, on the first floor; and
(f) 
An accessible entranceway as set forth at P.L. 2005, c. 350 (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-311a et seq.) and the Barrier Free Subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-7 and N.J.A.C. 5:97-3.14, or evidence that the Township of Frelinghuysen has collected funds from the developer sufficient to make ten (10%) percent of the adaptable entrances in the development accessible:
(1) 
Where a unit has been constructed with an adaptable entrance, upon the request of a disabled person who is purchasing or will reside in the dwelling unit, an accessible entrance shall be installed.
(2) 
To this end, the builder of restricted units shall deposit funds within the Township of Frelinghuysen's affordable housing trust fund sufficient to install accessible entrances in ten (10%) percent of the affordable units that have been constructed with adaptable entrances.
(3) 
The funds deposited under paragraph (2) above shall be used by the Township of Frelinghuysen for the sole purpose of making the adaptable entrance of any affordable unit accessible when requested to do so by a person with a disability who occupies or intends to occupy the unit and requires an accessible entrance.
(4) 
The developer of the restricted units shall submit a design plan and cost estimate for the conversion from adaptable to accessible entrances to the Construction Official of the Township of Frelinghuysen.
(5) 
Once the Construction Official has determined that the design plan to convert the unit entrances from adaptable to accessible meet the requirements of the Barrier Free Subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-7 and N.J.A.C. 5:97-3.14, and that the cost estimate of such conversion is reasonable, payment shall be made to the Township of Frelinghuysen's affordable housing trust fund in care of the Municipal Treasurer who shall ensure that the funds are deposited into the affordable housing trust fund and appropriately earmarked.
(6) 
Full compliance with the foregoing provisions shall not be required where an entity can demonstrate that it is site impracticable to meet the requirements. Determinations of site impracticability shall be in compliance with the Barrier Free Subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-7 and N.J.A.C. 5:97-3.14.
c. 
Maximum Rents and Sales Prices.
1. 
In establishing rents and sales prices of affordable housing units, the administrative agent shall follow the procedures set forth in UHAC and in COAH, utilizing the regional income limits established by COAH.
2. 
The maximum rent for restricted rental units within each affordable development shall be affordable to households earning no more than sixty (60%) percent of median income, and the average rent for restricted low- and moderate-income units shall be affordable to households earning no more than fifty-two (52%) percent of median income.
3. 
The developers and/or municipal sponsors of restricted rental units shall establish at least one rent for each bedroom type for both low-income and moderate-income units.
(a) 
At least ten (10%) percent of all low- and moderate-income rental units shall be affordable to households earning no more than thirty-five (35%) percent of median income.
4. 
The maximum sales price of restricted ownership units within each affordable development shall be affordable to households earning no more than seventy (70%) percent of median income, and each affordable development must achieve an affordability average of fifty-five (55%) percent for restricted ownership units; in achieving this affordability average, moderate-income ownership units must be available for at least three (3) different prices for each bedroom type, and low-income ownership units must be available for at least two (2) different prices for each bedroom type.
5. 
In determining the initial sales prices and rents for compliance with the affordability average requirements for restricted units other than assisted living facilities, the following standards shall be used:
(a) 
A studio shall be affordable to a one-person household;
(b) 
A one-bedroom unit shall be affordable to a one and one-half person household;
(c) 
A two-bedroom unit shall be affordable to a three-person household;
(d) 
A three-bedroom unit shall be affordable to a four and one-half person household; and
(e) 
A four-bedroom unit shall be affordable to a six-person household.
6. 
In determining the initial rents for compliance with the affordability average requirements for restricted units in assisted living facilities, the following standards shall be used:
(a) 
A studio shall be affordable to a one-person household;
(b) 
A one-bedroom unit shall be affordable to a one and one-half person household; and
(c) 
A two-bedroom unit shall be affordable to a two-person household or to two one-person households.
7. 
The initial purchase price for all restricted ownership units shall be calculated so that the monthly carrying cost of the unit, including principal and interest (based on a mortgage loan equal to ninety-five (95%) percent of the purchase price and the Federal Reserve H.15 rate of interest), taxes, homeowner and private mortgage insurance and condominium or homeowner association fees do not exceed twenty-eight (28%) percent of the eligible monthly income of the appropriate size household as determined under N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.4, as may be amended and supplemented; provided, however, that the price shall be subject to the affordability average requirement of N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.3, as may be amended and supplemented.
8. 
The initial rent for a restricted rental unit shall be calculated so as not to exceed thirty (30%) percent of the eligible monthly income of the appropriate household size as determined under N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.4, as may be amended and supplemented; provided, however, that the rent shall be subject to the affordability average requirement of N.J.A.C. 5:84-26.3, as may be amended and supplemented.
9. 
The price of owner-occupied low- and moderate-income units may increase annually based on the percentage increase in the regional median income limit for each housing region. In no event shall the maximum resale price established by the administrative agent be lower than the last recorded purchase price.
10. 
The rent of low- and moderate-income units may be increased annually based on the percentage increase in the Housing Consumer Price Index for the United States. This increase shall not exceed nine (9%) percent in any one (1) year. Rents for units constructed pursuant to low-income housing tax credit regulations shall be indexed pursuant to the regulations governing low-income housing tax credits.
11. 
Utilities. Tenant-paid utilities that are included in the utility allowance shall be so stated in the lease and shall be consistent with the utility allowance approved by DCA for its Section 8 program.
Note: The following general guidelines apply to all developments that contain low- and moderate-income housing units, including any currently unanticipated future developments that will provide low- and moderate-income housing units.
[Ord. #2009-13 § 5]
a. 
Township of Frelinghuysen shall adopt by resolution an Affirmative Marketing Plan, subject to approval of COAH, compliant with N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.15, as may be amended and supplemented.
b. 
The Affirmative Marketing Plan is a regional marketing strategy designed to attract buyers and/or renters of all majority and minority groups, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, disability, age or number of children to housing units which are being marketed by a developer, sponsor or owner of affordable housing. The Affirmative Marketing Plan is also intended to target those potentially eligible persons who are least likely to apply for affordable units in that region. It is a continuing program that directs all marketing activities toward COAH Housing Region 2 and covers the period of deed restriction.
c. 
The affirmative marketing plan shall provide a regional preference for all households that live and/or work in COAH Housing Region 2 comprised of Essex, Morris, Union and Warren Counties.
d. 
The Administrative Agent designated by the Township of Frelinghuysen shall assure the affirmative marketing of all affordable units consistent with the Affirmative Marketing Plan for the municipality.
e. 
In implementing the affirmative marketing plan, the Administrative Agent shall provide a list of counseling services to low- and moderate-income applicants on subjects such as budgeting, credit issues, mortgage qualification, rental lease requirements, and landlord/tenant law.
f. 
The affirmative marketing process for available affordable units shall begin at least four (4) months prior to the expected dare of occupancy.
g. 
The costs of advertising and affirmative marketing of the affordable units shall be the responsibility of the developer, sponsor or owner, unless otherwise determined or agreed to by Township of Frelinghuysen.
[Ord. #2009-13 § 6]
a. 
In referring certified households to specific restricted units, to the extent feasible, and without causing an undue delay in occupying the unit, the Administrative Agent shall strive to:
1. 
Provide an occupant for each bedroom;
2. 
Provide children of different sex with separate bedrooms; and
3. 
Prevent more than two (2) persons from occupying a single bedroom.
b. 
Additional provisions related to occupancy standards (if any) shall be provided in the municipal Operating Manual.
[Ord. #2009-13 § 7]
a. 
Control periods for restricted ownership units shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.5, as may be amended and supplemented, and each restricted ownership unit shall remain subject to the requirements of this section until the Township of Frelinghuysen elects to release the unit from such requirements however, and prior to such an election, a restricted ownership unit must remain subject to the requirements of N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1, as may be amended and supplemented, for at least thirty (30) years.
b. 
The affordability control period for a restricted ownership unit shall commence on the date the initial certified household takes title to the unit.
c. 
Prior to the issuance of the initial certificate of occupancy for a restricted ownership unit and upon each successive sale during the period of restricted ownership, the administrative agent shall determine the restricted price for the unit and shall also determine the nonrestricted, fair market value of the unit based on either an appraisal or the unit's equalized assessed value.
d. 
At the time of the first sale of the unit, the purchaser shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a recapture note obligating the purchaser (as well as the purchaser's heirs, successors and assigns) to repay, upon the first non-exempt sale after the unit's release from the requirements of this section, an amount equal to the difference between the unit's nonrestricted fair market value and its restricted price, and the recapture note shall be secured by a recapture lien evidenced by a duly recorded mortgage on the unit.
e. 
The affordability controls set forth in this section shall remain in effect despite the entry and enforcement of any judgment of foreclosure with respect to restricted ownership units.
f. 
A restricted ownership unit shall be required to obtain a Continuing Certificate of Occupancy or a certified statement from the Construction Official stating that the unit meets all code standards upon the first transfer of title that follows the expiration of the applicable minimum control period provided under N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.5(a), as may be amended and supplemented.
[Ord. #2009-13 § 8]
Price restrictions for restricted ownership units shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1, as may be amended and supplemented, including:
a. 
The initial purchase price for a restricted ownership unit shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.
b. 
The Administrative Agent shall approve all resale prices, in writing and in advance of the resale, to assure compliance with the foregoing standards.
c. 
The method used to determine the condominium association fee amounts and special assessments shall be indistinguishable between the low- and moderate-income unit owners and the market unit owners.
d. 
The owners of restricted ownership units may apply to the Administrative Agent to increase the maximum sales price for the unit on the basis of capital improvements. Eligible capital improvements shall be those that render the unit suitable for a larger household or the addition of a bathroom.
[Ord. #2009-13 § 9]
a. 
Buyer income eligibility for restricted ownership units shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1, as may be amended and supplemented, such that low-income ownership units shall be reserved for households with a gross household income less than or equal to fifty (50%) percent of median income and moderate-income ownership units shall be reserved for households with a gross household income less than eighty (80%) percent of median income.
b. 
The Administrative Agent shall certify a household as eligible for a restricted ownership unit when the household is a low-income household or a moderate-income household, as applicable to the unit, and the estimated monthly housing cost for the particular unit (including principal, interest, taxes, homeowner and private mortgage insurance and condominium or homeowner association fees, as applicable) does not exceed thirty-three (33%) percent of the household's certified monthly income.
[Ord. #2009-13 § 10]
a. 
Prior to incurring any indebtedness to be secured by a restricted ownership unit, the administrative agent shall determine in writing that the proposed indebtedness complies with the provisions of this section.
b. 
With the exception of original purchase money mortgages, during a control period neither an owner nor a lender shall at any time cause or permit the total indebtedness secured by a restricted ownership unit to exceed ninety-five (95%) percent of the maximum allowable resale price of that unit, as such price is determined by the administrative agent in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.6(b).
[Ord. #2009-13 § 11]
a. 
Control periods for restricted rental units shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.11, as may be amended and supplemented, and each restricted rental unit shall remain subject to the requirements of this section until the Township of Frelinghuysen elects to release the unit from such requirements pursuant to action taken in compliance with N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1, as may be amended and supplemented, and prior to such an election, a restricted rental unit must remain subject to the requirements of N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1, as may be amended and supplemented, for at least thirty (30) years.
b. 
Deeds of all real property that include restricted rental units shall contain deed restriction language. The deed restriction shall have priority over all mortgages on the property, and the deed restriction shall be filed by the developer or seller with the records office of the County of Warren. A copy of the filed document shall be provided to the Administrative Agent within thirty (30) days of the receipt of a Certificate of Occupancy.
c. 
A restricted rental unit shall remain subject to the affordability controls of this section, despite the occurrence of any of the following events:
1. 
Sublease or assignment of the lease of the unit;
2. 
Sale or other voluntary transfer of the ownership of the unit; or
3. 
The entry and enforcement of any judgment of foreclosure.
[Ord. #2009-13, § 12]
a. 
A written lease shall be required for all restricted rental units, except for units in an assisted living residence, and tenants shall be responsible for security deposits and the full amount of the rent as stated on the lease. A copy of the current lease for each restricted rental unit shall be provided to the Administrative Agent.
b. 
No additional fees or charges shall be added to the approved rent (except, in the case of units in an assisted living residence, to cover the customary charges for food and services) without the express written approval of the Administrative Agent.
c. 
Application fees (including the charge for any credit check) shall not exceed five (5%) percent of the monthly rent of the applicable restricted unit and shall be payable to the Administrative Agent to be applied to the costs of administering the controls applicable to the unit as set forth in this section.
[Ord. #2009-13 § 13]
a. 
Tenant income eligibility shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.13, as may be amended and supplemented, and shall be determined as follows:
1. 
Very low-income rental units shall be reserved for households with a gross household income less than equal to thirty (30%) percent of median income.
2. 
Low-income rental units shall be reserved for households with a gross household income less than or equal to fifty (50%) percent of median income.
3. 
Moderate-income rental units shall be reserved for households with a gross household income less than eighty (80%) percent of median income.
b. 
The Administrative Agent shall certify a household as eligible for a restricted rental unit when the household is a very low-income, low-income household or a moderate-income household, as applicable to the unit, and the rent proposed for the unit does not exceed thirty-five (35%) percent (forty (40%) percent for age-restricted units) of the household's eligible monthly income as determined pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.16, as may be amended and supplemented; provided, however, that this limit may be exceeded if one (1) or more of the following circumstances exists:
1. 
The household currently pays more than thirty-five (35%) percent (forty (40%) percent for households eligible for age-restricted units) of its gross household income for rent, and the proposed rent will reduce its housing costs;
2. 
The household has consistently paid more than thirty-five (35%) percent (forty (40%) percent for households eligible for age-restricted units) of eligible monthly income for rent in the past and has proven its ability to pay;
3. 
The household is currently in substandard or overcrowded living conditions;
4. 
The household documents the existence of assets with which the household proposes to supplement the rent payments; or
5. 
The household documents proposed third-party assistance from an outside source such as a family member in a form acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the owner of the unit.
c. 
The applicant shall file documentation sufficient to establish the existence of the circumstances in b1 through 5 above with the Administrative Agent, who shall counsel the household on budgeting.
[Ord. #2009-13, § 14]
a. 
The position of Municipal Housing Liaison (MHL) for Township of Frelinghuysen is established by this subsection. The Township Committee shall make the actual appointment of the MHL by means of a resolution.
1. 
The MHL must be either a full-time or part-time employee of Township of Frelinghuysen.
2. 
The person appointed as the MHL must be reported to COAH for approval.
3. 
The MHL must meet all COAH requirements for qualifications, including initial and periodic training.
4. 
The Municipal Housing Liaison shall be responsible for oversight and administration of the affordable housing program for the Township of Frelinghuysen, including the following responsibilities which may not be contracted out to the Administrative Agent:
(a) 
Serving as the municipality's primary point of contact for all inquiries from the State, affordable housing providers, Administrative Agents and interested households;
(b) 
The implementation of the Affirmative Marketing Plan and affordability controls;
(c) 
When applicable, supervising any contracting Administrative Agent;
(d) 
Monitoring the status of all restricted units in the Township of Frelinghuysen's Fair Share Plan;
(e) 
Compiling, verifying and submitting annual reports as required by COAH;
(f) 
Coordinating meetings with affordable housing providers and Administrative Agents, as applicable; and
(g) 
Attending continuing education opportunities on affordability controls, compliance monitoring and affirmative marketing as offered or approved by COAH.
b. 
The Township of Frelinghuysen shall designate by resolution of the Township Committee, subject to the approval of COAH, one (1) or more Administrative Agents to administer newly constructed affordable units in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:96, N.J.A.C. 5:97 and UHAC.
c. 
An Operating Manual shall be provided by the Administrative Agent(s) to be adopted by resolution of the governing body and subject to approval of COAH. The Operating Manuals shall be available for public inspection in the Office of the Municipal Clerk and in the office(s) of the Administrative Agent(s).
d. 
The Administrative Agent shall perform the duties and responsibilities of an administrative agent as are set forth in UHAC and which are described in full detail in the Operating Manual, including those set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.14, 16 and 18 thereof, which includes:
1. 
Attending continuing education opportunities on affordability controls, compliance monitoring, and affirmative marketing as offered or approved by COAH;
2. 
Affirmative Marketing;
3. 
Household Certification;
4. 
Affordability Controls;
5. 
Records retention;
6. 
Resale and re-rental;
7. 
Processing requests from unit owners; and
8. 
Enforcement, though the ultimate responsibility for retaining controls on the units rests with the municipality;
9. 
The Administrative Agent shall have authority to take all actions necessary and appropriate to carry out its responsibilities, hereunder.
[Ord. #2009-13, § 15]
a. 
Upon the occurrence of a breach of any of the regulations governing the affordable unit by an owner, developer or tenant the municipality shall have all remedies provided at law or equity, including but not limited to foreclosure, tenant eviction, municipal fines, a requirement for household recertification, acceleration of all sums due under a mortgage, recoupment of any funds from a sale in the violation of the regulations, injunctive relief to prevent further violation of the regulations, entry on the premises, and specific performance.
b. 
After providing written notice of a violation to an owner, developer or tenant of a low- or moderate-income unit and advising the owner, developer or tenant of the penalties for such violations, the municipality may take the following action against the owner, developer or tenant for any violation that remains uncured for a period of sixty (60) days after service of the written notice:
1. 
The municipality may file a court action pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:58-11 alleging a violation, or violations, of the regulations governing the affordable housing unit. If the owner, developer or tenant is found by the court to have violated any provision of the regulations governing affordable housing units the owner, developer or tenant shall be subject to one (1) or more of the following penalties, at the discretion of the court:
(a) 
A fine of not more than one thousand ($1,000.00) dollars or imprisonment for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days, or both. Each and every day that the violation continues or exists shall be considered a separate and specific violation of these provisions and not as a continuing offense.
(b) 
In the case of an owner who has rented his or her low- or moderate-income unit in violation of the regulations governing affordable housing units, payment into the Township of Frelinghuysen Affordable Housing Trust Fund of the gross amount of rent illegally collected;
(c) 
In the case of an owner who has rented his or her low- or moderate-income unit in violation of the regulations governing affordable housing units, payment of an innocent tenant's reasonable relocation costs, as determined by the court.
2. 
The municipality may file a court action in the Superior Court seeking a judgment, which would result in the termination of the owner's equity or other interest in the unit, in the nature of a mortgage foreclosure. Any judgment shall be enforceable as if the same were a judgment of default of the First Purchase Money Mortgage and shall constitute a lien against the low- and moderate-income unit.
c. 
Such judgment shall be enforceable, at the option of the municipality, by means of an execution sale by the Sheriff, at which time the low- and moderate-income unit of the violating owner shall be sold at a sale price which is not less than the amount necessary to fully satisfy and pay off any First Purchase Money Mortgage and prior liens and the costs of the enforcement proceedings incurred by the municipality, including attorney's fees. The violating owner shall have the right to possession terminated as well as the title conveyed pursuant to the Sheriff's sale.
d. 
The proceeds of the Sheriff's sale shall first be applied to satisfy the First Purchase Money Mortgage lien and any prior liens upon the low- and moderate-income unit. The excess, if any, shall be applied to reimburse the municipality for any and all costs and expenses incurred in connection with either the court action resulting in the judgment of violation or the Sheriff's sale. In the event that the proceeds from the Sheriff's sale are insufficient to reimburse the municipality in full as aforesaid, the violating owner shall be personally responsible for aid to the extent of such deficiency, in addition to any and all costs incurred by the municipality in connection with collecting such deficiency. In the event that a surplus remains after satisfying all of the above, such surplus, if any, shall be placed in escrow by the municipality for the owner and shall be held in such escrow for a maximum period of two (2) years or until such earlier time as the owner shall make a claim with the municipality for such. Failure of the owner to claim such balance within the two-year period shall automatically result in a forfeiture of such balance to the municipality. Any interest accrued or earned on such balance while being held in escrow shall belong to and shall be paid to the municipality, whether such balance shall be paid to the owner or forfeited to the municipality.
e. 
Foreclosure by the municipality due to violation of the regulations governing affordable housing units shall not extinguish the restrictions of the regulations governing affordable housing units as the same apply to the low- and moderate-income unit. Title shall be conveyed to the purchaser at the Sheriffs sale, subject to the restrictions and provisions of the regulations governing the affordable housing unit. The owner determined to be in violation of the provisions of this plan and from whom title and possession were taken by means of the Sheriff's sale shall not be entitled to any right of redemption.
f. 
If there are no bidders at the Sheriff's sale, or if insufficient amounts are bid to satisfy the First Purchase Money Mortgage and any prior liens, the municipality may acquire title to the low- and moderate-income unit by satisfying the First Purchase Money Mortgage and any prior liens and crediting the violating owner with an amount equal to the difference between the First Purchase Money Mortgage and any prior liens and costs of the enforcement proceedings, including legal fees and the maximum resale price for which the low- and moderate-income unit could have been sold under the terms of the regulations governing affordable housing units. This excess shall be treated in the same manner as the excess which would have been realized from an actual sale as previously described.
g. 
Failure of the low- and moderate-income unit to be either sold at the Sheriff's sale or acquired by the municipality shall obligate the owner to accept an offer to purchase from any qualified purchaser which may be referred to the owner by the municipality, with such offer to purchase being equal to the maximum resale price of the low- and moderate-income unit as permitted by the regulations governing affordable housing units.
h. 
The owner shall remain fully obligated, responsible and liable for complying with the terms and restrictions of governing affordable housing units until such time as title is conveyed from the owner.
[Ord. #2009-13, § 16]
Appeals from all decisions of an Administrative Agent designated pursuant to this section shall be filed in writing with the Executive Director of COAH.
[Ord. #2009-15]
a. 
Purpose. The Affirmative Marketing Plan is a regional marketing strategy designed to attract buyers and/or renters of all majority and minority groups, regardless of sex, age or number of children, to housing units which are being marketed by a developer/sponsor, municipality and/or designated administrative agency of affordable housing. The Township's Plan will address the requirements of N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.15. In addition, the Plan prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, financing or other services related to housing on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, familial status/size, sexual orientation or national origin.
b. 
Affirmative Marketing Plan. The Township of Frelinghuysen is in the housing region consisting of Essex, Morris, Union and Warren Counties. The affirmative marketing program is a continuing program and will meet the following requirements:
1. 
Advertising and Posting Information.
(a) 
A1l newspaper articles, announcements and requests for applications for low- and moderate-income units will appear in the following daily and/or weekly regional newspapers/publications:
(1) 
Express Times.
c. 
The primary marketing will take the form of at least one press release sent to the above publications and a paid display advertisement in each of the above newspapers. Additional advertising and publicity will be on an "as needed" basis.
1. 
The advertisement will include a description of the:
(a) 
Street address of units;
(b) 
Direction to housing units;
(c) 
Number of bedrooms per unit;
(d) 
Range of prices/rents;
(e) 
Size of units;
(f) 
Income information; and
(g) 
Location of applications including business hours and where/how applications may be obtained.
2. 
All newspaper articles, announcements and requests for applications for low- and moderate-income housing will appear in the following neighborhood-oriented mediums on an "an needed" basis. In addition, local religious publications and organizational newsletters within the region will also be requested to assist in the effort.
(a) 
Township website
(b) 
Packet publications
d. 
The following is the location of where applications, brochures(s), sign(s) and/or poster(s) used as part of the affirmative marketing program including specific employment centers within the region Essex, Morris, Union and Warren Counties will be displayed:
1. 
Frelinghuysen Municipal Building
2. 
Warren County Library Headquarters
3. 
Developer's sales office
4. 
Major employers in the region
e. 
The following is a listing community organizations in Essex, Morris, Union and Warren Counties, that will aid in the affirmative marketing program on an "as needed" basis, with particular emphasis on contracts that will reach out to groups that are least likely to apply for housing within the region:
1. 
Catholic Social Services
2. 
American Red Cross
3. 
Center for Family Services
4. 
Volunteers of America
f. 
Selection Process. The Township, through an agent to be appointed ("the Township's housing agent"), shall be responsible for implementing and conducting the selection process that will be used to select occupant of the low- and moderate-income housing. Following is a description of the random selection method that will be used to select occupants of low- and moderate-income housing. The Township is ultimately responsible for administering the Affirmative Marketing Program. The Township's housing agent, in administering the Affirmative Marketing Program, shall have the responsibility to:
1. 
Income qualify low- and moderate-income households;
2. 
Place income eligible households in low- and moderate-income units upon initial occupancy;
3. 
Provide for the initial occupancy of low- and moderate-income units with income qualified households;
4. 
Continue to qualify households for reoccupancy of units as they become vacant during the period of affordability controls;
5. 
Assist with advertising and outreach to low- and moderate-income households; and
6. 
Enforce the terms of the deed restriction and mortgage loan as per N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1 et seq.
g. 
The Township's housing agent will also coordinate and provide linkage to low- and moderate-income applicants to receive counseling on subjects such as budgeting, credit issues, mortgage qualification, responsibilities of homeownership, rental lease requirements, and landlord/tenant law. The Township's housing agent will develop the waiting list and select applicants for the qualification process on a first come first served basis. The Superintendent of Planning within the Township is the designated housing officer to act as liaison to the responsible developer(s) and the Township's housing agent.
h. 
Households who live or work in the COAH-established housing region may be given preference for sales and rental units constructed within that housing region.
i. 
Applicants living outside the housing region will have an equal opportunity for units after regional applicants have been initially serviced. The Township of Frelinghuysen intends to comply with all UHAC regulations, N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1 et seq.; and
j. 
All developers of low- and moderate-income housing units will be required to assist the Township's housing agent in the marketing of the affordable units in their respective developments.
k. 
Commencement of Marketing Plan. The marketing program will commence at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the issuance of either temporary or permanent Certificates of Occupancy. The marketing program will continue until all low- and moderate-income housing units are initially occupied and for as long as affordable units are deed restricted and occupancy or reoccupancy of units continues to be necessary; and reporting requirements. The responsible developer(s) will assist the Township's housing agent in complying with monitoring and reporting requirements as per N.J.A.C. 5:96-11.
[Ord. #2009-09 § 1]
a. 
In Holmdel Builder's Association V. Holmdel Township, 121 N.J. 550 (1990), the New Jersey Supreme. Court determined that mandatory development fees are authorized by the Fair Housing Act of 1985 (the Act), N.J.S.A. 52:27d-301 et seq., and the State Constitution, subject to the Council on Affordable Housing's (COAH's) adoption of rules.
b. 
Pursuant to P.L. 2008, c. 46 section 8 (C. 52:27D-329.2) and the Statewide Non-Residential Development Fee Act (C. 40:55D-8.1 through 8.7), COAH is authorized to adopt and promulgate regulations necessary for the establishment, implementation, review, monitoring and enforcement of municipal affordable housing trust funds and corresponding spending plans. Municipalities that are under the jurisdiction of the Council or court of competent jurisdiction and have a COAH-approved spending plan may retain fees collected from non-residential development.
c. 
This section establishes standards for the collection, maintenance, and expenditure of development fees pursuant to COAH's regulations and in accordance P.L. 2008, c. 46, Sections 8 and 32-38. Fees collected pursuant to this section shall be used for the sole purpose of providing low- and moderate-income housing. This section shall be interpreted within the framework of COAH's rules on development fees, codified at N.J.A.C. 5:97-8.
[Ord. #2009-09 § 2]
a. 
This section shall not be effective until approved by COAH pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:96-5.1.
b. 
The Township of Frelinghuysen shall not spend development fees until COAH has approved a plan for spending such fees in conformance with N.J.A.C. 5:97-8.10 and N.J.A.C. 5:96-5.3.
[Ord. #2009-09 § 3]
a. 
The following terms, as used in this section, shall have the following meanings:
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Shall mean a development included in the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, and includes, but is not limited to, an inclusionary development, a municipal construction project or a one hundred (100%) percent affordable development.
COAH or THE COUNCIL
Shall mean the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing established under the Act which has primary jurisdiction for the administration of housing obligations in accordance with sound regional planning consideration in the State.
DEVELOPMENT FEE
Shall mean money paid by a developer for the improvement of property as permitted in N.J.A.C. 5:97-8.3.
DEVELOPER
Shall mean the legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot or of any land proposed to be included in a proposed development, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase, or other person having an enforceable proprietary interest in such land.
EQUALIZED ASSESSED VALUE
Shall mean the assessed value of a property divided by the current average ratio of assessed to true value for the municipality in which the property is situated, as determined in accordance with sections 1, 5, and 6 of P.L. 1973, c. 123 (C. 54:1-35a through C. 54:1-35c).
GREEN BUILDING STRATEGIES
Shall mean those strategies that minimize the impact of development on the environment, and enhance the health, safety and well-being of residents by producing durable, low-maintenance, resource-efficient housing while making optimum use of existing infrastructure and community services.
[Ord. #2009-09, § 4]
a. 
Imposed Fees.
1. 
Within all residential district(s), residential developers, except for developers of the types of development specifically exempted below, shall pay a fee of one and a half (1 1/2%) percent of the equalized assessed value for residential development provided no increased density is permitted.
2. 
When an increase in residential density pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70d(5) (known as a "d" variance) has been permitted, developers may be required to pay a development fee of six (6%) percent of the equalized assessed value for each additional unit that may be realized. However, if the zoning on a site has changed during the two-year period preceding the filing of such a variance application, the base density for the purposes of calculating the bonus development fee shall be the highest density permitted by right during the two-year period preceding the filing of the variance application.
Example: If an approval allows four (4) units to be constructed on a site that was zoned for two (2) units, the fees could equal one and one-half (1.5%) percent of the equalized assessed value on the first two (2) units; and six (6%) percent of the equalized assessed value for the two (2) additional units, provided zoning on the site has not changed during the two-year period preceding the filing of such a variance application.
b. 
Eligible Exactions, Ineligible Exactions and Exemptions for Residential Development.
1. 
Affordable housing developments, developments where the developer is providing for the construction of affordable units elsewhere in the municipality, and developments where the developer has made a payment in lieu of on-site construction of affordable units shall be exempt from development fees.
2. 
Developments that have received preliminary or final site plan approval prior to the adoption of a municipal development fee ordinance shall be exempt from development fees, unless the developer seeks a substantial change in the approval. Where a site plan approval does not apply, a zoning and/or building permit shall be synonymous with preliminary or final site plan approval for this purpose. The fee percentage shall be vested on the date that the building permit is issued.
3. 
Development fees shall be imposed and collected when an existing structure undergoes a change to a more intense use, is demolished and replaced, or is expanded, if the expansion is not otherwise exempt from the development fee requirement. The development fee shall be calculated on the increase in the equalized assessed value of the improved structure.
4. 
Developers of residential structure demolished and replaced as a result of a fire, flood or natural disaster, shall be exempt from paying a development fee.
[Ord. #2009-09 § 5]
a. 
Imposed Fees.
1. 
Within all zoning districts, nonresidential developers, except for developers of the types of development specifically exempted, shall pay a fee equal to two and one-half (2.5%) percent of the equalized assessed value of the land and improvements, for all new nonresidential construction on an unimproved lot or lots.
2. 
Nonresidential developers, except for developers of the types of development specifically exempted, shall also pay a fee equal to two and one-half (2.5%) percent of the increase in equalized assessed value resulting from any additions to existing structures to be used for nonresidential purposes.
3. 
Development fees shall be imposed and collected when an existing structure is demolished and replaced. The development fee of two and a half (2.5%) percent shall be calculated on the difference between the equalized assessed value of the pre-existing land and improvement and the equalized assessed value of the newly improved structure, i.e. land and improvement, at the time final certificate of occupancy is issued. If the calculation required under this section results in a negative number, the nonresidential development fee shall be zero.
b. 
Eligible Exactions, Ineligible Exactions and Exemptions for Nonresidential Development.
1. 
The nonresidential portion of a mixed-use inclusionary or market rate development shall be subject to the two and a half (2.5%) percent development fee, unless otherwise exempted below.
2. 
The two and one-half (2.5%) percent fee shall not apply to an increase in equalized assessed value resulting from alterations, change in use within existing footprint, reconstruction, renovations and repairs.
3. 
Nonresidential developments shall be exempt from the payment of nonresidential development fees in accordance with the exemptions required pursuant to P.L. 2008, c. 46, as specified in the Form N-RDF "State of New Jersey Non-Residential Development Certification/Exemption" Form. Any exemption claimed by a developer shall be substantiated by that developer.
4. 
A developer of a nonresidential development exempted from the non-residential development fee pursuant to P.L. 2008, c. 46 shall be subject to it at such time the basis for the exemption no longer applies, and shall make the payment of the nonresidential development fee, in that event, within three (3) years after that event or after the issuance of the final certificate of occupancy of the nonresidential development, whichever is later.
5. 
If a property which was exempted from the collection of a nonresidential development fee thereafter ceases to be exempt from property taxation, the owner of the property shall remit the fees required pursuant to this section within forty-five (45) days of the termination of the property tax exemption. Unpaid nonresidential development fees under these circumstances may be enforceable by the Township of Frelinghuysen as a lien against the real property of the owner.
[Ord. #2009-09 § 6]
a. 
Upon the granting of a preliminary, final or other applicable approval, for a development, the applicable approving authority shall direct its staff to notify the Construction Official responsible for the issuance of a building permit.
b. 
For nonresidential developments only, the developer shall also be provided with a copy of Form N-RDF "State of New Jersey Non-Residential Development Certification/Exemption" to be completed as per the instructions provided. The developer of a nonresidential development shall complete Form N-RDF as per the instructions provided. The Construction Official shall verify the information submitted by the nonresidential developer as per the instructions provided in the Form N-RDF. The Tax Assessor shall verify exemptions and prepare estimated and final assessments as per the instructions provided in Form N-RDF.
c. 
The Construction Official responsible for the issuance of a building permit shall notify the local Tax Assessor of the issuance of the first building permit for a development which is subject to a development fee.
d. 
Within ninety (90) days of receipt of that notice, the Municipal Tax Assessor, based on the plans filed, shall provide an estimate of the equalized assessed value of the development.
e. 
The Construction Official responsible for the issuance of a final Certificate of Occupancy notifies the local Assessor of any and all requests for the scheduling of a final inspection on property which is subject to a development fee.
f. 
Within ten (10) business days of a request for the scheduling of a final inspection, the municipal assessor shall confirm or modify the previously estimated equalized assessed value of the improvements of the development; calculate the development fee; and thereafter notify the developer of the amount of the fee.
g. 
Should the Township of Frelinghuysen fail to determine or notify the developer of the amount of the development fee within ten (10) business days of the request for final inspection, the developer may estimate the amount due and pay that estimated amount consistent with the dispute process set forth in subsection b of section 37 of P.L. 2008, c. 46 (C. 40:55D-8.6).
h. 
Fifty (50%) percent of the development fee shall be collected at the time of issuance of the building permit. The remaining portion shall be collected at the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. The developer shall be responsible for paying the difference between the fee calculated at building permit and that determined at issuance of Certificate of Occupancy. No Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued to the developer until all remaining developer fees have been paid in full.
i. 
Appeal of Development Fees.
1. 
A developer may challenge residential development fees imposed by filing a challenge with the County Board of Taxation. Pending a review and determination by the Board, collected fees shall be placed in an interest bearing escrow account by the Township of Frelinghuysen. Appeals from a determination or the Board may be made to the Tax Court in accordance with the provisions of the State Tax Uniform Procedure Law, R.S. 54:48-1 et seq., within ninety (90) days after the date of such determination. Interest earned on amounts escrowed shall be credited to the prevailing party.
2. 
A developer may challenge nonresidential development fees imposed by filing a challenge with the Director of the Division of Taxation. Pending a review and determination by the Director, which shall be made within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the challenge, collected fees shall be placed in an interest bearing escrow account by the Township of Frelinghuysen. Appeals from a determination of the Director may be made to the Tax Court in accordance with the provisions of the State Tax Uniform Procedure Law, R.S. 54:48-1 et seq., within ninety (90) days after the date of such determination. Interest earned on amounts escrowed shall be credited to the prevailing party.
[Ord. #2009-09 § 7]
a. 
There is hereby created a separate, interest-bearing housing trust fund to be maintained by the Township Clerk for the purpose of depositing development fees collected from residential and nonresidential developers and proceeds from the sale of units with extinguished controls.
b. 
The following additional funds shall be deposited in the affordable housing trust fund and shall at all times be identifiable by source and amount:
1. 
Payments in lieu of on-site construction of affordable units;
2. 
Developer contributed funds to make ten (10%) percent of the adaptable entrances in a townhouse or other multistory attached development accessible;
3. 
Rental income from municipally operated units;
4. 
Repayments from affordable housing program loans;
5. 
Recapture funds;
6. 
Proceeds from the sale of affordable units; and
7. 
Any other funds collected in connection with Township of Frelinghuysen's affordable housing program.
c. 
Within seven (7) days from the opening of the trust fund account, the Township of Frelinghuysen shall provide COAH with written authorization, in the form of a three-party escrow agreement between the municipality, the bank, and COAH to permit COAH to direct the disbursement of the funds as provided for in N.J.A.C. 5:97-8. 13(b).
d. 
All interest accrued in the housing trust fund shall only be used on eligible affordable housing activities approved by COAH.
[Ord. #2009-09 § 8]
a. 
The expenditure of all funds shall conform to a spending plan approved by COAH. Funds deposited in the housing trust fund may be used for any activity approved by COAH to address the Township of Frelinghuysen's fair share obligation and may be set up as a grant or revolving loan program. Such activities include, but are not limited to: preservation or purchase of housing for the purpose of maintaining or implementing affordability controls, rehabilitation, new construction of affordable housing units and related costs, accessory apartment, market to affordable, or regional housing partnership programs, conversion of existing nonresidential buildings to create new affordable units, green building strategies designed to be cost saving and in accordance with accepted national or State standards, purchase of land for affordable housing, improvement of land to be used for affordable housing, extensions or improvements of roads and infrastructure to affordable housing sites, financial assistance designed to increase affordability, administration necessary for implementation of the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, or any other activity as permitted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:97-8.7 through 8.9 and specified in the approved spending plan.
b. 
Funds shall not be expended to reimburse the Township of Frelinghuysen for past housing activities.
c. 
At least thirty (30%) percent of all development fees collected and interest earned shall be used to provide affordability assistance to low- and moderate-income households in affordable units included in the municipal Fair Share Plan. One-third of the affordability assistance portion of development fees collected shall be used to provide affordability assistance to those households earning thirty (30%) percent or less of median income by region.
1. 
Affordability assistance programs may include down payment assistance, security deposit assistance, low interest loans, rental assistance, assistance with homeowners association or condominium fees and special assessments, and assistance with emergency repairs.
2. 
Affordability assistance to households earning thirty (30%) percent or less of median income may include buying down the cost of low or moderate income units in the municipal Fair Share Plan to make them affordable to households earning thirty (30%) percent or less of median income.
3. 
Payments in lieu of constructing affordable units on site and funds from the sale of units with extinguished controls shall be exempt from the affordability assistance requirement.
d. 
The Township of Frelinghuysen may contract with a private or public entity to administer any part of its Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, including the requirement for affordability assistance, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:96-18.
e. 
No more than twenty (20%) percent of all revenues collected from development fees, may be expended on administration, including, but not limited to, salaries and benefits for municipal employees or consultant fees necessary to develop or implement a new construction program, a Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, and/or an affirmative marketing program. In the case of a rehabilitation program, no more than twenty (20%) percent of the revenues collected from development fees shall be expended for such administrative expenses. Administrative funds may be used for income qualification of households, monitoring the turnover of sale and rental units, and compliance with COAH's monitoring requirements. Legal or other fees related to litigation opposing affordable housing sites or objecting to the Council's regulations and/or action are not eligible uses of the affordable housing trust fund.
[Ord. #2009-09 § 9]
The Township of Frelinghuysen shall complete and return to COAH all monitoring forms included in monitoring requirements related to the collection of development fees from residential and nonresidential developers, payments in lieu of constructing affordable units on site, funds from the sale of units with extinguished controls, barrier free escrow funds, rental income, repayments from affordable housing program loans, and any other funds collected in connection with the Township of Frelinghuysen's housing program, as well as to the expenditure of revenues and implementation of the plan certified by COAH. All monitoring reports shall be completed on forms designed by COAH.
[Ord. #2009-09 § 10]
The ability for the Township of Frelinghuysen to impose, collect and expend development fees shall expire with its substantive certification unless the Township of Frelinghuysen has filed an adopted Housing Element and Fair Share Plan with COAH, has petitioned for substantive certification, and has received COAH's approval of its development fee ordinance. If the Township of Frelinghuysen fails to renew its ability to impose and collect development fees prior to the expiration of substantive certification, it may be subject to forfeiture of any or all funds remaining within its municipal trust fund. Any funds so forfeited shall be deposited into the "New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund" established pursuant to section 20 of P.L. 1985, c. 222 (C. 52:27D-320). The Township of Frelinghuysen shall not impose a residential development fee on a development that receives preliminary or final site plan approval after the expiration of its substantive certification or judgment of compliance, nor shall the Township of Frelinghuysen retroactively impose a development fee on such a development. The Township of Frelinghuysen shall not expend development fees after the expiration of its substantive certification or judgment of compliance.
[Ord. #2009-14 § 1]
To calculate a projection of revenue anticipated during the period of the period of third round substantive certification, Township of Frelinghuysen considered the following:
a. 
Development Fees.
1. 
Residential and nonresidential projects which have had development fees imposed upon them at the time of preliminary or final development approvals.
2. 
All projects currently before the Planning and Zoning Boards for development approvals that may apply for building permits and Certificates of Occupancy; and
3. 
Future development that is likely to occur based on historical rates of development.
b. 
Payment in Lieu (PIL). Actual and committed payments in lieu (PIL) of construction from developers as follows:
No payments in lieu have been collected or assessed at this time.
c. 
Other Funding Sources. Funds from other sources, including, but not limited to, the sale of units with extinguished controls, repayment of affordable housing program loans, rental income and proceeds from the sale of affordable units.
d. 
Projected Interest. Interest on the projected revenue in the municipal affordable housing trust fund at the current average interest rate.
Source of Funds
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
TOTAL
Approved Develop-ment
$12,660
$12,660
$25,320
Projected Develop-ment
$22,115
$25,320
$27,755
$25,320
$23,405
$27,445
$32,758
$32,235
$30,633
$246,985
Repay-ment of Rehab-ilitation Loans
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
$30,000
Interest
$152
$152
$265
$304
$333
$304
$401
$329
$513
$387
$488
$3,628
TOTAL
$12,812
$12,812
$22,380
$25,624
$28,088
$25,624
$33,806
$27,774
$43,271
$32,622
$41,120
$305,933
Township of Frelinghuysen projects a total of $305,933 in revenue to be collected between 2008 and December 31, 2018. All interest earned on the account shall accrue to the account to be used only for the purposes of affordable housing.
[Ord. #2009-14 § 1]
The following procedural sequence for the collection and distribution of development fee revenues shall be followed by Township of Frelinghuysen:
a. 
Collection of Development Fee Revenues. Collection of development fee revenues shall be consistent with Township of Frelinghuysen's Development Fee Ordinance[1] for both residential and nonresidential developments in accordance with COAH's rules and P.L. 2008, c. 46, sections 8 (C. 52:27D-329.2) and 32-38 (C. 40:55D-8.1 through 8.7).
[1]
Editor's Note: The Development Fee Ordinance is codified as § 20-7.
b. 
Distribution of Development Fee Revenues. The Administration forwards a resolution to the governing body recommending the expenditure of development fee revenues as set forth in this spending plan. The governing body reviews the request for consistency with the spending plan and adopts the recommendation by resolution.
The release of the funds requires the adoption of the Governing Body resolution in accordance with the COAH-approved spending plan. Once a request is approved by resolution, the Chief Financial Officer releases the requested revenue from the trust fund for the specific use approved in the Governing Body's resolution.
[Ord. #2009-14 § 3]
a. 
Rehabilitation and New Construction Programs and Projects (N.J.A.C. 5:97-8.7). Township of Frelinghuysen will dedicate a maximum of $10,000 to rehabilitation or new construction programs (see detailed descriptions in Fair Share Plan) as follows:
Rehabilitation program: $10,000
New construction project(s): $161,322
Block 201, Lot 31 has been identified in the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan as one (1) location for one hundred (100%) percent affordable housing development. Funds would be used to aid non-profit and for-profit entities in building affordable housing in partnership with or without the Township at this specific site and any other sites that are deemed appropriate.
b. 
Affordability Assistance (N.J.A.C. 5:97-8.8). The Township of Frelinghuysen will spend a minimum of thirty (30%) percent of its development fee revenue to render existing affordable units more affordable and one-third (1/3) of that amount will be dedicated to very low-income households (i.e. households earning less than thirty (30%) percent of the regional median income).
Projected minimum affordability assistance requirement:
SPENDING PLAN CALCULATIONS SUMMARY
Existing Balance (as of November 3, 2008)
=
$0
Pending fees due upon issuance of building permit and/or CO
+
$25,320
Projection based on historic development activity
+
$246,985
Projection of rehabilitation loans anticipated to be repaid
+
$30,000
Projected Interest
+
$3,628
TOTAL PROJECTED REVENUE
=
$305,933
Affordability Assistance (minimum of 30% of above total)
To very low income households (minimum 13% of above allotment)
-
$91,780 minimum
$30.287 minimum
REMAINING FUNDS FOR OTHER HOUSING ACTIVITY
=
$214,153
Township of Frelinghuysen will dedicate $91,780 from the affordable housing trust fund to render units more affordable, including $30,287 to render units more affordable to households earning thirty (30%) percent or less of median income by region, using programs such as security deposit assistance, low interest loans, rental assistance, converting low-income units to very low-income units, etc.
c. 
Administrative Expenses (N.J.A.C. 5:97-8.9). Township of Frelinghuysen projects that $42,831 will be available from the affordable housing trust fund to be used for administrative purposes. Projected administrative expenditures, subject to the twenty (20%) percent cap, are as follows:
1. 
Planning and legal fees for administration and implementation of Frelinghuysen Township's affordable housing program(s).
2. 
Salaries and benefits for municipal employees for administration and implementation of the housing plan and program(s).
[Ord. #2009-14 § 4]
Township of Frelinghuysen intends to use affordable housing trust fund revenues for the creation and/or rehabilitation of housing units. Where applicable, the creation/rehabilitation funding schedule below parallels the implementation schedule set forth in the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan and is summarized as follows. The chart lists the various programs and projects that Frelinghuysen may embark on during the third round period. Each program/project is given a minimum or maximum amount that may be spent during the eleven (11) year time frame and the years when money may be spent. Frelinghuysen would like this flexibility so that if in the future an opportunity arises that would be advantageous to the affordable housing program, the municipality would have the freedom to aid the opportunity with this type of flexible expenditure schedule. Additionally, this flexibility is important if the development fee funds that have been forecasted fail to occur and limit Frelinghuysen's spending ability.
EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE
EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE
Source of Funds
#
units
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
TOTAL
Afford-ability Assistance
?
$91,780 Minimum
Admini-stration Purposes
?
$40,831 Maximum
Rehab-ilitation
1
$10,000 Maximum
100% Affordable Projects
10
$161,322 Maximum
Total $305,933
[Ord. #2009-14 § 5]
Pursuant to the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, the Governing Body of Township of Frelinghuysen has adopted a resolution agreeing to fund any shortfall of funds required for implementing administrative expenses and rehabilitation. In the event that a shortfall of anticipated revenues occurs, Township of Frelinghuysen will handle the shortfall of funds with a resolution of intent to bond. In the event of excess funds, any remaining funds above the amount necessary to satisfy the municipal affordable housing obligation will be used to fund the housing activities described above.
[Ord. #2009-14 § 6]
Collection and distribution of barrier free funds shall be consistent with Township of Frelinghuysen's Affordable Housing Ordinance Section 20-7. Requirements for affordable housing units, E.l-2 and in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:97-8.5.