Governor Christie Appoints Members to Housing Opportunity Task Force; COAH Endorses Executive Order 12
By: Michael J. Lipari, Esq.
Last week Governor Christie issued Executive Order 12 to stay COAH for 90 days, from “taking any further action to process applications for substantive certification or to take any other actions to implement [COAH’s] Third Round regulations.” The Executive Order also created the “Housing Opportunity Task Force” to provide the Governor with recommendations on how to handle COAH and the future of affordable housing in New Jersey.
At its February 16, 2010 meeting, COAH passed a resolution to endorse Executive Order 12 by a vote of 5-2. Governor Christie released the following statement in his press release: “I’m extremely pleased that the Commission on Affordable Housing has itself joined the call from across our state recognizing the need for sensible planning reform. I welcome the Commission’s input and cooperation as the Task Force conducts its review and provides recommendations for my Administration to swiftly and responsibly take action.”
On February 17, 2010, Governor Christie announced his final appointments to the five-member Housing Opportunity Task Force. Joining Chairwoman Marcia Karrow (former republican senator from Hunterdon) will be: James Hughes (professor, Rutgers University); Mayor Wilda Diaz (Perth Amboy); Mayor Frank Druetzler (Morris Plains); and Ira Oskowsky (former director of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency).