Community Development
Community Development
The Community Development Offices include Zoning, Code Enforcement, Planning Board, Zoning Board, Environmental Commission & Arbor Day events, Affordable Housing, Floodplain Management, Census Information & local demographics & certain Pinelands Commission development approvals.
Zoning
The Zoning Code of Stafford Township is available from our HomePage by clicking the tab marked, "Stafford Township Code Book". You will find the regulation under Chapter 211. If you don't know what Zone you are located in, a Zoning Map is available at TownHall outside the Zoning Office. For Land Use & Development standards that must be maintained, Chapter 130 of the Stafford Township Code Book will provide you with all minimum standards.
For any questions regarding Zoning or the Zoning Map, you may call 609-597-1000, extensions 8529, 8530 or 8531 to speak with a Zoning Officer.
Code Enforcement
The Code Enforcement Office is available to respond to residents concerns. Guidelines that we follow are taken from the International Property Maintenance Code, a copy of which is available at our office. Also, additional standards and regulations are found within the Stafford Township Code Book. We will respond to anonymous complaints, however, we prefer to have your name and phone number so may we respond to you with the results of our efforts. Please contact our Code Enforcement Officers by calling 609-597-1000, extensions 8530 or 8531.
Planning Board & Zoning Board of Adjustment
The Stafford Township Planning Board meets the first and third Wednesday each month. Annemarie Sillitoe, Secretary to the Planning Board, can be reached at 609-597-1000, ext. 8537. The meeting begins at 7:30PM.
The Stafford Township Board of Adjustment meets the second and fourth Wednesday each month. Diane Robinette, Secretary to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, can be reached at 609-597-1000, ext.8564. The meeting begins at 7:30PM.
Flood Hazard Information
Stafford has been involved in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) for the past ten years. This is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance policy holders receive a discount on their annual premiums depending on their flood zone and the Township’s CRS classification. Stafford has reached a rating of 6 which provides for a 20% discount. This is a savings of over $600,000 for property owners.
Please click here for more information about flood safety, flood insurance and development in our floodplain.
Flood Hazard Document
Environmental Commission
The Environmental Commission meets the first Monday of each month.
This year's Arbor Day Celebration will be held on Friday, April 23, 2010 at 3:45pm in the Multi Purpose Room at All Saints Regional Catholic School, 400 Doc Cramer Boulevard in Manahawkin. Our theme this year is F.R.O.G. - Forests Recharging Our Groundwater.
For Environmental Commission information, please contact Annemarie Sillitoe (609) 597-1000 ext. 8537
Affordable Housing
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN STAFFORD
Stafford has received Substantive Certification of its affordable housing plan from the State of New Jersey!! We are the first municipality in Ocean County to receive such a certification from the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). COAH was created by the Fair Housing Act in 1985 as the State Legislature's response to a series of New Jersey Supreme Court cases known as the Mount Laurel decisions. The Supreme Court established a constitutional obligation for each of the 566 municipalities in the State to establish a realistic opportunity for the provision of low and moderate income housing. Some of the ways in which Stafford’s obligation is being met is with existing units already built in town, inclusionary and 100% affordable projects that are about to begin construction, zoning which requires affordable housing to be included in future development and a program to provide lots to affordable housing developers.
The following list of projects/programs covers Stafford’s 1987-2018 obligation:
Cedar Run Apartments (age-restricted, rental), 72 units
Perry’s Lake (age-restricted, sale), 46 units
Presbyterian Homes (age-restricted, rental), 84 units
Pine Crest Village (family, sale), 75 units
SOCH Health Village (family, rental and sale), 74 units
Stafford Park Apartments (family, rental), 112 units
Stafford Mews (family, rental), 13 units
Community Options group homes, 2 homes/6 credits
Summerville at Stafford (assisted living, rental), 5 units
Mixed Use Zone Amendment (inclusionary), up to 64 units
Municipally Sponsored Ocean Acres Scattered Site Program (family, sale), up to 111 units
Please feel free to contact our Affordable Housing Coordinator, Bonnie N. Flynn at (609) 597-1000 x 8529 if you have any questions about the plan or to obtain information about affordable units.
THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROCESS
Initial eligibility for affordable units in Stafford Township is determined by gross annual household income. To qualify, the total household income of all family members over the age of 18 must be no more than 80% of the median income in the region. Households with income between 50% and 80% of the median income would qualify for a moderate-income unit. Households with income less than 50% of the median income would qualify for a low-income unit. An Administrative Agent for each project is designated and will screen households that apply for affordable housing. Income includes, but is not limited to, salary or wages (including regular overtime) alimony, child support, social security, benefits, pensions, business income, and actual or imputed interest earned from assets (which include bank accounts, CD's, stocks, bonds and other securities), and real estate. Applicants must pay for and pass a credit check.
Stafford Township is located in Region 4 along with Mercer and Monmouth Counties. Click here for the 2009 Regional Income Limits chart.
AFFORDABLE UNITS
The following developments are being constructed or will start construction some time in 2009.
Pine Crest Village - Homes are still available in Pine Crest Village off McKinley Avenue. 2 & 3 bedroom manufactured homes ranging from $58,317 to $105,544 are available. Prices are based on income and household size. Customer is able to select from many options such as skylights, Jacuzzi tubs, kitchen islands and customer is also involved in color selections for everything involved in making their home. All of our homes are energy-star rated and include a stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer as well as window treatments. Why rent when you can own your own home? Applicants must be able to pass a credit check, obtain a loan and have a minimum of 10% for the down payment for most loans. Click here to see the Pine Crest Village flyer. See also, Pine Crest on the web
You may contact Pine Crest directly at (609) 597-6602 for more information and a preliminary application.
Stafford Park Apartments – 111 affordable units off Stafford Park Boulevard developed and managed by the Walters Group. One, two and three bedroom units with rents ranging from $455 to $1,117. A first class amenity package is being offered including a club house with a fitness center and computer workstation, a tot lot and BBQ/picnic area. This property will be LEED Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Appliances are Energy Star rated, washer and dryer in every apartment, wall- to-wall carpeting, window blinds on each window and on-site management and maintenance.
Please click here for the income limits chart for Stafford Park Apartments. These figures are slightly different than COAH's income limits because this is a Federal tax credit program.
You may contact Stafford Park Apartments directly at (609) 597-3000 or www.staffordparkapts.com for more information and a preliminary application.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A DETAILED LIST OF ALL EXISTING AND FUTURE AFFORDABLE UNITS IN STAFFORD TOWNSHIP.
FULL INFORMATION PACKETS ABOUT OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM ARE AVAILABLE AT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPT/ZONING OFFICE. FEEL FREE TO DROP BY TO PICK ONE UP! IF YOU WOULD LIKE ONE MAILED TO YOU, PLEASE CALL (609) 597-1000 x 8529.
Census Information
In 2010, the US Census will define who we are as a nation. Taken every 10 years, the Census affects political representation and directs the allocation of billions of dollars in government funding. As a 2010 Census partner, Stafford Township wants to educate the community about the importance of participating in this historic event and help ensure no one is left uncounted. You can help our community receive the fiscal and social benefits to which it is entitled. Achieving a complete and accurate 2010 Census is in our hands. Please read the following information issued by the Census Bureau in March 2008.
The Census: A Snapshot
* The US Constitution requires a national Census once every 10 years.
* The Census is a count of everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, both citizens and non-citizens.
* The 2010 Census will create hundreds of thousands of temporary jobs across the nation.
It’s in Our Hands: Your Participation in the 2010 Census Matters
* Every year, more than $300 billion in federal funds is awarded to states and communities based on Census data. That’s more than $3 trillion over a 10-year period.
* Census data guide local decision-makers in important community planning efforts, including where to build new roads, hospitals and schools.
* Census data affect your voice in Congress by determining how many seats each state will have in the US House of Representatives.
Completing the 2010 Census Questionnaire: Simple and Safe
* The 2010 Census questionnaire asks only a few simple questions of each person—name, relationship, gender, age and date of birth, race, and whether the respondent owns or rents his or her home. This simple, short questionnaire takes just a few minutes to complete and return by mail.
* The Census Bureau does not release or share information that identifies individual respondents or their household for 72 years.
Why should everyone participate in the 2010 Census?
Census data shape the future of your community and define your voice in Congress.
* Census information helps determine locations for schools, roads, hospitals, child-care and senior citizen centers, and more.
* Businesses use Census data to locate supermarkets, shopping centers, new housing and other facilities.
* The Census determines how many seats each state will have in the US House of Representatives as well as the boundaries of legislative districts.
How will the 2010 Census differ from previous Census efforts?
In the last Census, one in six households received a long questionnaire asking for detailed socioeconomic information. In 2010, every residence will receive a short questionnaire that is simple and fast to complete and return. More detailed information will be collected annually from a small percentage of the population through the American Community Survey.
Will the information the Census Bureau collects remain confidential?
Yes. Every Census Bureau worker takes an oath for life to protect the confidentiality of Census responses. Violation would result in a jail term of up to five years and/or fine of up to $250,000. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s answers with anyone, including welfare and immigration agencies.
Why are partners so important to the 2010 Census campaign?
More than 140,000 organizations supported Census 2000, including state and local governments, community- and faith-based organizations, schools, media, businesses and others. The Census Bureau relies on partners to help explain the importance of completing the 2010 Census message to people in every corner of the United States. This is particularly important in areas isolated by language or geography. By joining forces with partners, the Census Bureau has a far greater chance to reach every US resident than by attempting this monumental task alone.
2010 Census Timeline: Key Dates
Fall 2008, Recruitment begins for local Census jobs for early Census operations.
Spring 2009, Census employees go door-to-door to update address list nationwide.
Fall 2009, Recruitment begins for Census takers needed for peak workload in 2010.
Feb.-March 2010, Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered to households.
April 1, 2010, Census Day
April-July 2010, Census takers visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail.
December 2010, By law, Census Bureau delivers population counts to President for apportionment.
March 2011, By law, Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to states.
For more information about the 2010 Census, please go to
www.census.gov
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For comprehensive Census information and other local details, visit the
Ocean County Planning Department website