3/11/26 TOMS RIVER TOWNSHIP COUNCIL MEETING

Although the meetings of the Township Council are usually live-streamed to the Township's YouTube Channel, the Mayor regularly causes those videos to be cut off before the meeting is over and also causes them to be removed. Therefore, NJ Law Politics and Government has volunteered to record the meetings. This is the full video of the Toms River Township Council meeting held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 6:30 PM. The primary focus of the meeting was the final vote on several ordinances related to the township's Fourth Round affordable housing obligations under the New Jersey Mount Laurel Doctrine. These votes came just four days before a critical March 15, 2026 deadline established in the township's settlement agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center. Key Agenda Items: Ordinances – Final Readings (Items 7-11): Item 7: Ordinance implementing site-specific zoning for affordable housing projects on Route 70, Jamestown Village, and 2008 Route 37. Item 8: Ordinance updating the township's affordable housing regulations to comply with new state rules (N.J.A.C. 5:99 and Uniform Housing Affordability Controls). Item 9: Ordinance designating an MF-16 (Multifamily-16) Overlay Zone on certain properties, which would allow up to 16 dwelling units per acre to create opportunities for low- and moderate-income housing. This was the most debated item of the evening. Item 10: Ordinance repealing the Mobile Home Park Rent Leveling Board. Item 11: Ordinance mandating minimum staffing levels for the Police Department. Ordinances – First Readings (Items 12-14): Items related to eliminating health benefits for Municipal Utilities Authority members, eliminating health benefits for part-time elected officials, and restricting the use of municipal vehicles. Consent Agenda (Item 15): Various routine resolutions, including tax refunds, performance guarantees, and contract awards. The meeting also included public comments and comments from elected officials. Historical Context: The discussion surrounding Item 9 (the MF-16 Overlay) was particularly significant, as it involved land in North Dover that the township had bonded over $10 million to purchase in 2016 for open space preservation. The vote on this item resulted in 3 yes, 2 no, and 2 abstentions, which under New Jersey law means the ordinance failed to pass, as it did not receive a majority of the full seven-member council. Viewers are encouraged to watch the full proceedings to understand the arguments and votes of their elected representatives.