From The Desk Of Toms River Mayor Daniel T. Rodrick
My administration worked tirelessly and secured the best affordable housing deal in the state of New Jersey – a plan that protected Toms River from massive overdevelopment while meeting our legal obligations responsibly. The plan required the construction of just 183 new units. The reckless and irresponsible decision by Councilmen Bianchini, Nivison, Ciccozzi, and Bradley to vote it down is a betrayal of every resident in this township. Based on their actions, it is clear these councilmen are in bed with developers – because there is no other explanation for what they have done.
The State of New Jersey and the Fair Share Housing Center originally demanded Toms River construct 1,700 units of affordable housing. At the mandated ratio of 20% affordable to 80% market-rate, that obligation – if met through new construction – would result in over 8,000 new apartments built across our town.
My administration developed a creative solution requiring just 183 new affordable units. The rest of our obligation would be met by keeping existing apartments affordable for another 30 years. The State and Fair Share accepted our plan. It was a responsible, community-first solution heralded by news outlets across the state.
The Council was warned: we had a hard deadline of March 15. Miss it, and Toms River could be subjected to a Builder’s Remedy – a legal provision under New Jersey’s Mount Laurel doctrine that allows developers to completely bypass our local planning and zoning boards and build virtually whatever they want, wherever they want. We lose all control. Knowing this, Councilmen Bianchini, Nivison, Ciccozzi, and Bradley voted it down anyway – potentially triggering exactly that outcome.
If we are subjected to a Builder’s Remedy, here is what you can expect:
- Developers will build 8,000 apartments all over town – and we won’t be able to stop it
- Apartments would not require approval from our Planning or Zoning Boards
- Like Lakewood, our population will surge by forty to fifty thousand people
- A city of high-rise apartments will be built downtown
- Your taxes will skyrocket to cover education, school busing, and township services
This is not a scare tactic. This is the law – and it has devastated other New Jersey communities that failed to act in time.
My administration has filed a request with the court for an extension of the March 15 deadline. What the judge will decide, I honestly do not know. But I will not sugarcoat the situation – it is serious, and the Council’s vote is directly responsible for putting us here.
What I can promise you is this: I will fight for Toms River with every available resource, every legal tool, and every ounce of energy I have. I will not allow the decision of four corrupt councilmen to define the future of our community. I will not give up!
The residents of Toms River deserve leaders who put people before developers. That is exactly what I intend to keep doing.
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