Oceanport’s housing obligation to Fort Monmouth may be reduced

As part of the Fort Monmouth redevelopment plan, the Borough of Oceanport is currently obligated to provide the greatest share of residential development among the three municipalities in which fort property is situated. But this could change, according to the Asbury Park Press.

From APP.com:

“Local leaders say Fort Monmouth redevelopment officials may consider reducing the borough's obligation to provide mostly residential development on the base property in favor of light industry or commercial uses that could produce more tax revenue without placing as much a demand on municipal services.”

Earlier this week, Oceanport Mayor Michael J. Mahon, councilman Joseph A. Irace and councilman William Johnson met with Bruce Steadman, executive director of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority, who Irace says holds the “position that Oceanport’s portion of the fort property could be used to create jobs from new taxable businesses.”

“It remains to be seen but it is a huge step in the right direction,” Irace says of the new development.

Oceanport was initially “scheduled to accommodate some 1,800 homes, although the borough was able to get that number reduced to 800,” according to the Asbury Park Press. “Still, that amount is likely to result in increased costs to property owners as homes are built and children from new families increase school enrollments, increase demand for municipal services such as garbage collection, and require additional police to patrol new streets, local officials believe.”

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