Cape May Court House, N.J. – Following the outcome of a late September case management conference between Middle Township representatives and the Fair Share Housing Center, Mayor Tim Donohue announced continued progress toward finalizing the Township’s affordable housing plan. The parties met in the presence of Special Master and retired Superior Court Judge Steven P. Perskie.

“We appreciate the effort of all parties to continue good-faith negotiations as we work to finalize a plan that meets the Township’s realistic future needs for reasonably affordable housing accommodations in our hometown,” Donohue said.

The Township entered into negotiations with the Fair Share Housing Center in 2019 to address its obligation under fair-share housing formulas.

The Township agreed to provide further details on the nature of proposed inclusionary zoning and the timing of proposed redevelopment projects. Both parties agreed to work cooperatively toward reaching a final agreement on the plan in November. A status conference is scheduled for Nov .12.

“Despite the efforts by some to derail our steady progress (through a politically motivated, false narrative), we are on track to reach a fair settlement,” Donohue said. “We are grateful that our hard work toward a sound agreement has been recognized and that Middle Township’s immunity from builder’s remedy lawsuits has been preserved throughout these negotiations.”

Builder’s remedy lawsuits can permit developers to construct multi-family housing with affordable housing allocated outside the scope of local zoning regulations.