Montclair,
We have a significant agenda ahead for this week’s Council Meeting which is on Wednesday evening, Sept. 28th at 7:00pm at 205 Claremont Ave. I wanted to share some key information and my thoughts about some of the legislation that we’re moving and then a few other updates as well.
Thank you in advance for taking some time to read this. I write all of my emails myself.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
For the last 19 months, I’ve been part of a working group developing a new ADU ordinance for Montclair. We’ve researched and benchmarked, have had subject matter expert and legal review and are now ready to move on this with a first vote on Wednesday. I also participated in a symposium, which if you have the time, is worth it to get more info. If it advances this week, it will then go before the Planning Board for review before coming back to the Council for a final vote (and public hearing) in late October. My hope is that we can start 2023 off with a new ADU law on the books. Fundamentally, I think these are a very smart and strategic way to give families an opportunity to stay together, introduce a few more living structures into our residential zones without blowing up that Montclair feel, and enable a way for those who want to age in place to potentially generate some income. When I think about ADUs I think about how modern society has split up families for so many reasons — one being affordability. My parents and siblings are in four different states when a generation ago, everyone lived in the same town. There is no magic wand. But ADUs can be affordable options for aging parents or college students or post-college twenty somethings to live to help keep families together.
Key Details:
- Permits ADUs for One, Two and Three-Family Dwellings
- The property owner must live in the primary structure of the ADU
- One off street parking space must be provided
- An ADU must be between 300 and 800 sq. ft. in size and have no more than three occupants (ADUs that are fully handicap accessible allowed up to 5% larger)
- Short term rentals (sub 30 days) are not permitted
- Must harmonize with the existing architectural and landscaping character
Stormwater Runoff Mitigation
Ordinance O-22-23 would adopt maximum impervious surface standards for all zones. Under the current Zoning ordinance, maximum impervious area is specified for only a handful of zones. Implementation of an impervious coverage or total lot coverage standard (typically a percentage of the lot area) in all zone districts would mitigate stormwater runoff downslope. Such a standard would also promote installation of permeable surfaces or a trading approach, such as reduction of a patio or driveway area in exchange for a new swimming pool installation, for example.
This is particularly important in residential zone districts (particularly the R-1) as they comprise most of the Township’s land area. While these zones do currently have a limitation on the coverage of a principal building (which applies only to the main principal dwelling), other accessory uses are not included. There is a limitation on the amount of rear yard that can be occupied by some accessory buildings (sheds, detached garages, anything with a roof and wall); however other impervious features such as sports courts, swimming pools, large patios, parking areas, etc. can all be installed without any limitation under the current zoning code. The new law would close this and other loopholes by requiring a maximum coverage percentage for all impervious surfaces/structures in each zone. ADUs would of course be included.
This is one of many tools in our toolkit to fight local flooding.
New Contract to Provide Glen Ridge with Fire Service
Last week I wrote an op-ed calling the proposed contract with Glen Ridge — a multigenerational arrangement, a bad deal. In the 12-month period ending in June, inflation was at 9%. This deal would have Glen Ridge paying us less money next year than they do this year or than they did in 2009. And with that new lower base and small fixed annual increases, we will never recoup the long-term loss in revenue we could have had to offset the significant capital investments we’ll need to make in the future, or the continually growing operational costs. The entire point of shared services is so that municipalities can pool resources and services to lower the cost for everyone. This lowers their cost, not ours.
Last week I learned that our Township Chief Financial Officer, who is revered statewide for her craft, had done an analysis of the costs for Montclair’s Fire Department to provide services to Glen Ridge. This analysis was not shared with a majority of the Council before the Township put in a bid. Instead, certain colleagues decided to rely only on the Fire Department’s own analysis. You could land a jet between these figures. At the very least, we all deserved the opportunity to have all of the information before submitting a bid — something I didn’t support doing at the time. If Glen Ridge respected our 30 year relationship, they would have negotiated with us vs. pitting us against other towns to bid in the first place.
I encourage you to email you Council Members with your thoughts, or better — come and make a public comment at Wednesday’s meeting at 7:00pm at 205 Claremont in the Council Chambers. Several Council Members are on the fence.
Chickens, Puppies, Kittens, Wildlife Killing and Inhumane Confinement
Over the last two years, whether for social justice or the environment, I’ve been pushing an agenda to ensure that our local laws reflect our values. The Animal Welfare proposals I introduced with Councilwoman Robin Schlager and Deputy Mayor Hurlock’s support, are advancing this week and represent another step in that direction.
- Ordinance O-22-25 would standardize and enhance the law ensuring the appropriate treatment of and conditions for raising chickens in Montclair.
- Ordinance O-22-26 would preemptively ban the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores in Montclair if those animals were sourced from commercial breeding facilities
- Resolution R-22-200 calls on the State Legislature to pass pending legislation A1970/S1298 which would establish criminal offenses and civil penalties for the inhumane confinement of breeding pigs and calves raised for veal
- Resolution R-22-204 calls on the State Legislature to pass pending legislation A502/S2409 which would outlaw heinous wildlife killing contests within the state.
The Ordinances will come back for second/final votes in October. The Resolutions are expected to pass this week.
Invest in Our Public Schools
At my near-capacity Town Hall on Oct. 12th, I will be sharing a brief presentation about the school bond question on the ballot this November. This is a make-or-break moment for Montclair Public Schools. The physical condition of our classrooms and buildings has been deteriorating for a long time now — something spotlit by the pandemic when it came to ventilation. Whenever anyone asks me about this, I have a short answer: It’s a bitter pill that we have to swallow. Even if you don’t have kids in the public schools (I don’t), I’m sure you understand how the fate of our public schools and the prestige of Montclair (and home values) are intrinsically linked.
Smart Home. Smart Car. Smart Phone. How about Smart Voting?
Why stress about fitting in going to the polls on Election Day when you can have a ballot mailed to your home, take the time to research candidates and ballot questions and vote when it’s convenient for you? Ben and I do this and we never miss a vote. And that’s the good thing – when you’re signed up, you don’t have to remember the off-cycle elections (like our Town one). You automatically receive a ballot in the mail for every vote.
Walk with me for Equality (or Contribute)
On Sunday, June 9th, join me and Out Montclair in support of my first NJ employer, Garden State Equality at the 2022 Equality Walk, right here in Montclair. This organization has been at the forefront of making New Jersey the most LGBTQIA+ friendly state in the country and we have to keep up the hard work. Funds raised for the walk, go directly to Garden State Equality, helping them to educate the population and elected officials throughout the state and further advance the cause of equality in law.
Want to Walk? Register Here
Can’t Walk but Want to Sponsor Me? Contribute Here
Or Dance with Me to Help Those in Need
Food Trucks, Silent Disco, Drinks, Raffles and raising funds for Montclair Mutual Aid? I’m in. Join me at the Wellmont Arts Plaza on Thursday, Oct. 6th at 7:00pm.
I love Montclair Mutual Aid because they’re an organization that engages directly with people in need, including those who don’t ask. They deliver food, personal hygiene supplies, medicine and more to our neighbors here in town and do it all with the lowest overhead costs possible because everyone is a volunteer.
Thanks for sticking with me through these updates. I hope you’ll take the time to click through some of the links and read about things in some more detail. As always, feel free to write me back with questions and I’ll do my best to respond when I can. Know anyone in Montclair who might like to receive these updates? Forward them this email.
L’Shana Tova
-Peter