1)Council on Affordable Housing(COAH)’s website updated their list of municipalities participating in their third round program.  As of September 11, 2006, only three cities in Atlantic County have petitioned for inclusion in their program.

2)In Washington Township, a developer has sued the Township under a “Builders Remedy” lawsuit, citing their lapse of COAH status, similar to Hammonton’s situation.  Of note in the story:

Smith Garrison has offered to settle if the township allows for 360 units, 60 of which would be set aside for low- and moderate-income households. Two years ago, the proposed number of all homes was 65, or 295 less.

Basically, the builder  is trying to use COAH rules to leverage more full priced homes on his development, a tactic developers have used in the past.  It seems the developer may not be interested in helping the poor, but trying to use legislation to make more profits.

3)Meanwhile, just when you think COAH certification is the safe way to go, Tinton Falls steps in. Tinton Falls is certified by COAH, but COAH felt the city didn’t have enough sewer resourcs to build all the affordable homes they agreed to.  So, COAH enacted their “scarce resource” clause, and froze all development in half of the city.  Now, Tinton Falls is trying to buy more sewer capacity, just to be able to KEEP their certification.