MIDDLETOWN NEEDS TO REIGN IN DEVELOPMENT

On October 29th, Middletown Committeeman Tony Fiore wrote a lengthy Facebook post responding to residents concerns over the Board of Education's proposed plan to rezone the school district due to too much development in Middletown. As usual, whenever Fiore tries to "mansplain" anything, he relies on half-truths and authoritative sounding comments designed to deflect any culpability in things that adversely effects the township, for his own political well being and that of his fellow committee members.
   
With that in mind, it was refreshing to see Facebook user Michael DiCicco respond to Fiore's comments about how the township has opposed virtually all new development in Middletown over the past decade. He does a good job of setting him straight:

In commenting on the school redistricting report prepared by T&M Associates and answering why Middletown allows development, Tony Fiore wrote “the Township Committee has opposed almost all development over the past decade.” That statement is not true.

In documents filed with the Monmouth County Superior Court describing the Township’s commitment to development, the Township Committee told the Court:

1.​“On July 20, 2009, the Township adopted Ordinance Number 2009-2979, rezoning highly developable properties commonly known as the Meadowview, Mountain Hill and Four Ponds sites, specifically to facilitate inclusionary development,” that is, low and moderate income housing.

2.​“On September 8, 2009, implementing Ordinance Number 2009-2979, the Township adopted Resolution Number 09-219 authorizing the execution of a Developer’s Agreement with Mountain Hill LLC to provide for the development of 80 low and moderate income family rental units, with at least 50% of the units being reserved as low income rentals.”

3.​“On November 16, 2009, the Township adopted Ordinance Number 2009-2991 conveying property for the development of affordable housing to Housing and United Services.”

4.​“On November 16, 2009, the Township adopted Ordinance Number 2009-2992 further rezoning various properties throughout the Township, commonly known as Laurel Avenue, Steiner, Atlantic Pier, and Taylor’s Lane Sites specifically for the purpose of facilitating inclusionary development,” that is, low and moderate income housing.

5.​“On March 3, 2010, the Township’s Planning Board approved the application for Meadowview LLC for the development of 38 condominiums, including 9 affordable units for low to moderate income households.”

6.​“On May 7, 2014, the Township’s Planning Board approved the application of the Atlantic Pier Company, Inc. for the development of 40 units, including 10 affordable family rental units.”

7.​“On December 3, 2014, the Township’s Planning Board approved the application of Bayshore Village LLC for the development of 110 affordable senior rental units.”

8.​“On March 4, 2015, the Township’s Planning Board approved the application of American Properties at Middletown, LLC for the development of 195 townhomes, plus 49 affordable for sale units.”

9.​“On July 1, 2015, the Township’s Planning Board approved the General Development Plan for Village 35 LP for Toll Brothers as contract purchasers of the Mountain Hill site to include up to 350 residential units including 70 affordable rental units.”

​These pro-development actions recited by the Township Committee in its court filing are reproduced here verbatim. The actions speak much louder than Mr. Fiore’s words. The Township Committee has not opposed development over the last decade. Rather, its liberal, pro-development policies are at the root of many problems that are now surfacing in Middletown which include overcrowding, traffic, infrastructure deterioration, potential loss of school choice, and loss of open space.