Julie Nastasi

This Amended Housing Plan Element and Fair Share Plan for the Borough of Monmouth Beach outlines the municipality's approach to fulfilling its Fourth Round affordable housing obligations. It provides an inventory and analysis of the housing stock, demographic and employment characteristics, and assesses the borough's fair share obligation. The plan details strategies such as vacant land analysis, affordable housing overlay zones, and a market-to-affordable program to address present, prior, and fourth-round housing needs, ensuring compliance with the Fair Housing Act and promoting community well-being.

The meeting included the reading of the Open Public Meetings Act announcement and a roll call. The new business section focused on Item #2, concerning applicant Andrew Licitra's request for approval to remove existing structures (garage, deck, driveway, pergolas, fences, and parts of the pool patio) on a property in the A-1 Zone located in a special flood hazard area, to construct a new two-story single-family dwelling along with associated site improvements including drainage enhancements.

The meeting addressed the dispensing with the reading of minutes from previous meetings held on November 24th, December 17th, and December 29th. The consent agenda included the appointment of David F. Stickle to the Two River Water Reclamation Authority Board, authorization for a veteran tax exemption, authorization for legal services for tax appeals, budget transfers, authorization for the purchase of fire apparatus upfitting services, and authorization for grant applications for fitness and playground equipment at Griffin Park and Shorelands Park. Discussions also covered an ordinance regarding the improper disposal of commercial cardboard and debris in municipal dumpsters, noting significant increases in disposal costs. Reports were given concerning road projects (Riverdale Avenue and C View Road) being paused for winter, updates on the Griffin Park ADA waterfront pavilion and Shorelands Park site work, and police activity statistics including DWI arrests and the state's new ebike law. A public discussion focused on the effectiveness and noise level of newly installed rumble strips on West Street, which were installed as part of a state DOT repaving project.

The meeting covered various topics including a follow-up on a rain garden project, the approval of a Maplewood ordinance on "Skip the Stuff", a request for a resolution to apply for state energy planning grants, a discussion on barn owl nest boxes, the renewal of ANJEC membership, and a review of a New Jersey governor's veto of a bill related to invasive plant species. No planning board applications were reviewed.