Toms River Affordable Housing Plan Rejected as Council Vote Sparks Heated Clash With Mayor
A tense debate over affordable housing in Toms River turned into a public confrontation this week after the Township Council voted against a major part of Mayor Dan Rodrick’s housing proposal. The decision came as local officials face an approaching legal deadline to submit a plan that meets New Jersey’s affordable housing requirements.
In a narrow 4-3 vote, the Toms River Township Council rejected a proposal that would have designated 42 apartments at Jamestowne Village Apartments as affordable housing. Under the mayor’s plan, 28 new affordable units would have been created while 14 existing market-rate apartments would have been converted into affordable homes.
The proposal was designed to help the township meet its obligations under New Jersey’s affordable housing laws. However, several council members argued that expanding the apartment complex could create additional traffic, place more pressure on local infrastructure, and increase congestion in the surrounding neighbourhood.
The vote quickly led to a heated exchange between Mayor Dan Rodrick and Township Council President David Ciccozzi during the public meeting. Emotions ran high as both leaders openly criticised each other’s approach to the township’s housing strategy.
Mayor Rodrick accused members of the council of rejecting his proposal because they wanted a separate apartment development proposed by Capodagli Property Company to become part of the township’s affordable housing plan. The mayor has consistently opposed that development and has already taken steps to revoke its construction permits.
During the meeting, Rodrick strongly criticised the council’s position, saying he would not support what he described as unwanted high-rise development in the township. The disagreement highlighted the growing divide between the mayor and several members of the governing body over how Toms River should address future housing growth.
The dispute comes at a critical time for the township. Toms River is working under a court-imposed deadline to submit an affordable housing plan after Capodagli Property Company filed a builder’s remedy lawsuit. Such lawsuits can allow developers to seek court approval for projects if municipalities fail to meet state affordable housing obligations.
According to court filings, Capodagli argues that township officials approved the project before Mayor Rodrick entered office and that the company invested approximately $3.2 million in planning and preparing the development. The company has also filed a separate lawsuit challenging the mayor’s decision to revoke previously issued construction permits.
Mayor Rodrick’s broader affordable housing proposal includes more than just the Jamestowne Village project. His administration has identified additional housing opportunities, including 134 affordable units on the Lakewood side of Route 70 West and four units that would be created by converting office space along Route 37.
In addition, township officials have proposed investing approximately $9 million to place deed restrictions on hundreds of existing housing units. Those restrictions would prevent the homes from being sold at full market prices, helping preserve long-term affordable housing without requiring large-scale new construction.
Despite those proposals, the council majority remains unconvinced. Council President David Ciccozzi said the mayor has failed to properly communicate and negotiate with council members before presenting major housing decisions for approval. He disputed claims that meaningful discussions had taken place and argued that the council should have been more involved throughout the planning process.
The disagreement reflects a broader political divide that has shaped township government in recent years. Although both the mayor and council members belong to the Republican Party, they have frequently disagreed on major policy decisions, leading to repeated public disputes over local government priorities.
One of the biggest points of disagreement remains the Capodagli redevelopment project. Supporters of the development believe it could help transform Toms River’s downtown district by replacing an underused property that once housed the Red Carpet Inn. The motel was demolished by the township in 2019 after years of concerns related to criminal activity.
Capodagli originally proposed a 10-storey mixed-use development but later revised the project following concerns about the building’s height. The latest proposal includes 281 apartments, with 43 designated as affordable housing. Those affordable units have not been included in the township’s latest housing compliance plan, a decision that continues to fuel disagreement between the mayor and the council.
As the legal deadline approaches, township officials face increasing pressure to reach an agreement that satisfies state housing requirements while addressing community concerns about future development. Failure to adopt a compliant affordable housing plan could significantly affect how future residential projects move forward in Toms River.
Mayor Rodrick has indicated that he plans to bring the proposal back before the Township Council in August, giving local officials another opportunity to reconsider the affordable housing strategy before additional legal and planning decisions are made.
Sources
- New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (Official)
- New Jersey Courts (Official)
- Toms River Township Government (Official)
