Commissioner Doria Informs Senate & Assembly Minority Members Of Their COAH Misstatements

Monmouth Battlefield Not Considered Buildable By COAH

TRENTON – Commissioner Doria sent the following letter to Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, in response to a letter the Legislators sent him today regarding Monmouth Battlefield:

Dear Senator Beck, Assemblyman O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Casagrande:

I appreciate your concern regarding the vacant land analysis study as it relates to Monmouth Battlefield.  The Battlefield, however, is not included as buildable land.  In fact, it was specifically excluded.  This information has been available on the COAH website.  It is my sincere hope that in the future you will first check your facts by contacting the Council before issuing press releases with incorrect statements about COAH and affordable housing.

Regarding other areas that may or may not be developable, COAH is aware that local data may be more accurate than statewide data.  Any municipality may submit actual local data to COAH and we will work with municipalities and adjust the projections accordingly.  In fact, COAH has created worksheets municipalities can use to do these calculations now and make any needed adjustments. 

This policy has of course been widely disseminated by COAH and can be obtained by simply reading our regulations.  Should you, your members or your staff wish to obtain a better understanding of COAH’s rules and regulations, I certainly invite you to contact COAH staff at any time.  Many residents and municipalities have already done so and found our staff to be quite friendly and informative. 

I have always made it known that my door is open to any member of the legislature who does not have an understanding of the COAH process.  I encourage you to please take advantage of these informative opportunities in the future before issuing anymore misleading statements.

Thank you again for reaching out to me on this matter.

Sincerely,

Joseph V. Doria, Jr.
Commissioner