Helene Corlett

This Housing Element and Fair Share Plan for the Borough of Madison articulates the municipality's commitment to providing affordable housing. The plan details the history of New Jersey's affordable housing policy, provides a comprehensive Housing Element with demographic and housing inventory analysis, and outlines the Borough's fair share obligations and compliance strategies for the 2025-2035 period, including measures for addressing present and prospective housing needs.

This document, an amendment to the Borough of Madison's Third Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, details the municipality's comprehensive strategy to meet its constitutional affordable housing obligations under the Mount Laurel doctrine. It outlines the satisfaction of the Prior Round (1987-1999) and Third Round (1999-2025) affordable housing obligations, including adjustments to the Realistic Development Potential (RDP) based on a settlement with Drew University, and mechanisms to address the Fourth Round Prospective Need Obligation (2025-2035). Key strategies include utilizing existing affordable units, developing new inclusionary and 100% affordable housing sites, and implementing various zoning overlays to create opportunities for low- and moderate-income housing, ensuring long-term compliance and protection from builder's remedy litigation.

The meeting commenced with the Board entering an Executive Session to discuss litigation matters, returning to public session afterward. Key agenda items included carrying two resolutions related to Case P25-002 and Case P25-001 (1 Giralda Farms) to the March meeting upon request from the applicant's attorney. A Minor Subdivision application for Case P25-004 (39 North Street) was approved. The Board reviewed the draft Redevelopment Plan for 3 Giralda Farms, which outlines 138 for-sale residential units, including 28 affordable units; discussion of this plan was carried over to the February 17, 2026 meeting to allow for broader public input. Additionally, the Board approved a referral from the Mayor and Council directing amendments to the Master Plan regarding redevelopment projects related to the Drew University settlement, and memorialized a resolution to conduct an investigation into whether property at Block 3001, Lot 1, constitutes a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment.

The meeting included a period of Executive Session followed by a return to public session. Old Business focused on the continuation of discussion regarding the draft Redevelopment Plan for 3 Giralda Farms. Planning staff provided updates on technical corrections and revisions made in response to comments from the Fair Share Housing Center concerning affordable housing compliance. Substantive discussion covered architectural design, landscaping standards, balancing development with open space preservation, and consistency with the Borough's Master Plan goals. Public comments addressed aesthetic concerns and support for open space preservation and affordable homeownership opportunities. The Board ultimately approved and voted to memorialize the Draft Redevelopment Plan for submission back to the Council.

The meeting focused on two resolutions for memorialization concerning R&O Madison Urban Renewal LLC at 1 Giralda Farms, specifically a Minor Subdivision and Preliminary and Final Site Plan applications. Consideration for both resolutions was carried to the February 3, 2026 meeting at the applicant's request. The New Business section addressed Case P25-004 for North Street Development LLC, proposing a minor subdivision of a 100-foot-wide lot into two conforming 50-foot-wide single-family lots. The application was presented as consistent with the historic lot pattern and compliant with R-4 zone bulk requirements, requiring the removal of four trees. Conditions related to engineering comments, including directing rear patio runoff into a drywell system and confirming soil suitability via percolation testing, were accepted by the applicant. The subdivision application was ultimately approved.