DCA Commissioner: Council May “Consider” Legislators’ Requests To Extend COAH Filing Deadline But No Meeting Planned; Bateman To Introduce Extension Bill
Posted by Phil Morin on December 10, 2008
With pressure mounting on both sides of the issue, Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph Doria announced that the deadline for participating municipalities (i.e., municipalities which had previously filed third round petitions under the old rules and, therefore, subject to COAH’s jurisdiction and protections from Mt. Laurel litigation pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:96-16) to file their affordable housing plans with the state will not be extended beyond December 31, 2008, unless the Council votes to extend the deadline or legislation is passed requiring an extension. He stated that the council is taking the requests of various legislators under consideration.
According to the Star Ledger:
COAH director Lucy Vanderberg said Sandyston, Frankford, Ewing and Woodcliff Lake have submitted their plans. She provided information that shows the remaining 210 towns have had their plans approved by their councils or planning boards or have them under review by the panels.
Doria, who is also chairman of COAH, said he wanted to clarify a report that appeared on nj.com yesterday that stated he would not grant an extension of the Dec. 31 deadline, something sought by some legislators and local officials.
Doria said he does not have the power to grant an extension and that it would take a vote by the majority of the COAH board at a special meeting before the end of the month to do so.
“I can’t take action by myself,” he said. “It has to be acted on by the board.” At present, no meeting is planned.
Meanwhile, State Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman issued a press release stating that if the Governor does not act to delay the filing deadline, he will be introducing legislation during the session on Thursday to force a legislative change to the deadline.
According to the release, Senator Bateman is calling upon Governor Corzine to intercede and extend the filing deadline by six months:
This position has bipartisan support in the Senate and is also supported by the State League of Municipalities. If the Corzine Administration fails to act on this request I will attempt to impose the deadline extension by legislation which will be introduced at tomorrow’s Senate quorum.
For a link to the Star Ledger report, click here.
For a link to Sen. Bateman’s press release, click here.
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