Council Set to Approve Funds for Habitat Project

The Zoning Board may have already approved the Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Community Build project at 39 Morris Avenue and Common Council denied a request to hear an appeal due to a perceived conflict of interest, but the battle some residents have waged isn't over just yet.

Council will consider a resolution at the Aug. 3 council meeting to release the funds for the project from the Affordable Housing Trust fund. Council has pledged to contribute $532,000.

But Councilman Michael Vernotico says he's opposed to the project now more than ever.

"I went to the zoning board and I listened to the presentation and I think the project itself, aside from everything else, it's a disgrace to put a project that size on a piece of property that small," Vernotico said.

John DeSocio, a vocal opponent of the project, filed an appeal with council in May, however City Solicitor Barry Osmun advised council not to hear the appeal because they had already pledged the funds and therefore could be perceived as having a conflict of interest.

DeSocio, and other opponents of the project who signed a petition voicing their dissent, were greatly disappointed in this decision. But now, members of common council will have one last chance to act on this matter. DeSocio said it is too expensive for he or any other residents to appeal the Zoning Board's decision to Union County Superior Court due to the cost of legal fees.

However when the project was first proposed it was to be located a different site on Morris Avenue, just a few doors away at 47-49 Morris.

"When the monies were reallocated for this site, there was no site plan presented," Vernotico said. "The governing body had a no knowledge of what this project was going to be like and I don't know how they could have approved the transfer."

DeSocio, who has now formed a committee of residents to try to save 39 Morris Avenue, is encouraging residents to attend the meeting to voice their opposition.

Vernotico said he is unsure where the remaining council members stand on this issue, but feels despite his forthcoming comments expects the resolution to be approved.

Council will also introduce an ordinance for consideration that would eliminate the possibility that a zoning board decision would be appealed to Common Council. Vernotico said this measure is not a response to the Habitat project appeal nor the recent Zoning Board decision concerning a proposed helipad at Overlook  Hospital.

"We've always talked about doing this," Vernotico said. "But there's always been some big case pending that would make it look like there's some political reason to do this."

He added that even with the council's right to hear appeals, cases may still be appealed to the County Superior Court.

"Essentially we have this but it serves no purpose," he said.