Fair Share Housing Resolution

By: John Speer and Jaime Landis 

Many years ago, experts identified areas of significant challenge that face Ringwood. They identified the following:

1.   Highlands Regulations

2.   Sustainable Economic Development

3.   Environmental Responsibility

4.   Affordable Housing

5.   State Aid in Schools because of declining enrollments

Since 2015 the Borough of Ringwood has been in litigation with the Fair Share Housing regarding our affordable housing obligation. Every town in the state of NJ is subject to Fair Share Housing- it is a state mandate and a constitutional obligation. At the May 27th meeting the council approved a resolution based on expert testimony and data to reach a potential settlement with the Fair Share Housing Center thereby ending six years of ongoing litigation. The potential settlement requires Ringwood to adopt zoning changes that will allow mixed-use development at the two Skyline Drive Shopping Centers and along an already existing commercial area on Greenwood Lake Turnpike. Under the Highland’s regulations these are the only existing areas that can be looked at for a potential redevelopment. With firm knowledge of Ringwood’s Affordable housing obligation, we can now begin the process of planning the future of our Skyline Drive commercial area and begin to think about replacing these 1960’s era buildings with mixed use developments that will provide more viable ground floor commercial uses and increase the diversity on a small scale of housing options available to residents. Now that we have potentially settled this long-standing litigation, it will become time to begin a feasibility study to determine if the Skyline Drive centers can be served by an expansion or replacement of the existing treatment plant on Alta Vista Drive. But even MORE IMPORTANT is that we will then be able to begin to have public input to discuss our options with the community and to hear how your visions can address our municipalities challenges. This is an exciting time for Ringwood. We now will have the ability to work together to ensure a town center that is reflective of our community. A downtown area that Ringwood residents can be proud of. One that fits the charm and beauty of our town.