Council weighs affordable housing site behind VA clinic

A late proposal landed in the middle of council business. Before the consent agenda, a property owner asked Toms River to consider a site behind the VA clinic on Hooper Avenue and Bay Avenue for 100% affordable housing. He said his company controls 6.8 acres and the township owns another 1.2 acres nearby, creating one developable tract in a redevelopment area where multifamily housing was already approved under the 2018 plan.

The speaker said the location works because it sits near Seacourt Pavilion, Ocean County Mall, major roads and existing services. He did not commit to a final unit count, but said the project could mean “100 plus units” and referred to sketches showing 140 units. Council members pressed him on timing, street access and “paper streets” on the map, along with who would pay for roads, sewer lines and other infrastructure. He said a developer would cover those costs and that the project would go through the normal approval process.

Daniel T. Rodrick pushed back, saying the township was already deep into a court-driven affordable housing process with deadlines, financing requirements and viability reviews. He said the property had long-standing access problems and could still be developed commercially. The discussion widened into a dispute over past housing numbers, prior settlements and what the township still owes under state housing rules. No action was taken on the request that night, and the Council President eventually moved the meeting along.

Council approved final-reading ordinances creating new parking restrictions on a municipal lot on Kat Street and on Dana Court and Soma Court. The changes are now in place after the final vote.

The township said the restrictions are meant to protect drainage areas and a fire easement. Officials said the rules should keep emergency vehicles and utility crews from being blocked when they need to get through.

Council members also tied the changes to everyday traffic problems on those streets and in the municipal lot. The stated goal was straightforward: reduce congestion, improve access and address safety concerns before parking patterns create bigger problems.