Today, Governor Corzine gave his State of the State Address. While the focus was on the economy and his administration’s accomplishments, he did touch upon affordable housing, briefly commenting upon the recent filing deadline for municipalities under COAH’s jurisdiction and calling for a moratorium on the 2.5% non-residential development fee.

The following is from the prepared text of the Governor’s speech:

I will also direct the COAH board to allow for maximum flexibility and ample time for collaborative review of all the 240-plus affordable housing plans submitted by the 80% of the required municipalities who did the right thing and filed plans by December 31st.

Finally, recognizing the economic realities and pressures of the current economic environment, I am calling today for a one-year moratorium on the 2.5% developer’s COAH fee while additionally exempting projects that were in the pipeline before the fee was instituted.

I look forward to working with Speaker Roberts, and Senators Codey and Lesniak, who all support this initiative.

For the Star Ledger on-line article, click here.