Inside the March 24 New Providence Agenda: Housing Strategy, Budgets, and Infrastructure

Affordable Housing

The Affordable Housing package for tonight’s meeting was set in motion during the 03/10 meeting when 2026-01 and 2026-02 were introduced along with the approval of three resolutions that committed NP to implementing ordinances for its Fourth Round Obligations, adopted an affirmative marketing plan along with its AH Trust fund spending plan.

The correspondence section for that same meeting demonstrated the broader push with Affordable Housing notices from Summit, Chatham and Berkeley Heights on the same agenda.

To recap what we covered for that meeting (and is on the agenda again for this one)…

2026-01 points to specific parcels and expands the AH Overlay – intended to provide areas for multifamily and affordable housing opportunities and allows the property to be used as currently allowed in the underlying zones with an option to redevelop with residential and affordable-housing components.

Ordinance 2026-02 is a full repeal/replace of Chapter 275 (Housing Plan) as a result of the March, 2024 amendments to the Fair Housing Act, new DCA Rules and updated UHAC.

If you missed the detail, you can see it here. 

The push continues in this meeting with the addition of two resolutions.

Resolution 2026-114 appoints McKinley Mertz of MJ Planning LLC as Borough Planner for the rest of 2026.

Resolution 2026-115 extends the contract for Susan Gruel- planning services related to affordable housing – through June 30, 2026 for Fourth Round obligations.

Downtown Improvement

The 2026 Downtown Improvement District Budget will be introduced with a budget that carries a nearly $126k  price tag. A big chunk of it will go to consulting (74k) then ~$28k in debt service with $17.5k to promotions. Public Hearing is scheduled for 04/28.

Revenue is projected as follows – $73.5k in assessments, $20k in contributions (NPBiz) and $32k from reserves.  Revenue appears to be about 60 bucks shy of the total expense.

Bills

Nearly $200k as a consent agenda item – big dollars that will likely go through with a fast vote.

Tax Appeals

Would allow the Municipal Assessor to file corrective tax appeals, counter petitions and counterclaims with the County Board of Taxation and also authorize settlements with notice to the Mayor and Council.  Settlements would need to come back to the Council and be approved as a resolution.

Sidewalks

Cifelli and Son for ~19.5k through the Morris County Co-Op for sidewalk maintenance.  While its tied to the 03/24 agenda, the vote certification page has a 02/24 meeting date on it.

Correspondence

One letter from a resident indicating work on Ridgeview Ave left the road pitched too high and is causing flooding- requesting that the town go out there to look at the street before another storm hits.

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