New Jersey Affordable Housing Plan Testimony Concludes After 14 Months

The New Jersey community of Saddle River will soon make a decision on a new housing plan in one of the nation's wealthiest zip codes, reports Marsha A. Stoltz. "The affordable housing plan calls for 247 units, with 147 of them affordable, on several sites."

The borough spent 14 months hearing testimony on the topic. "The unusually long hearing process was in contrast to the affordable housing hearing for neighboring Upper Saddle River, which lasted 40 minutes."

Some community activists object to the design of a 60-unit development, arguing that the eight affordable units should be dispersed among the rest rather than placed in one section of the complex. "Other residents raised objections to the site's runoff, density and traffic."

The borough will accept final arguments until February 18 before making a decision.