Franklin Lakes Moves to Rezone Golf Course Property for Affordable Housing

The Mayor and borough council of Franklin Lakes are moving forward on a 275-unit housing development proposed for the High Mountain Gold Course that they say will help satisfy the town’s affordable housing requirements.

At a meeting Tuesday, the mayor and council introduced an ordinance that would rezone the golf course property to allow for the building of a proposed housing development on the site, officials announced in a release after the meeting.

The proposed development would see 60 single-family homes, 60 “carriage” homes, or condo units with garages, and 55 affordable housing units.

The council also passed an Affordable Housing/COAH Mediation Agreement with the High Mountain owners and developers, the release said. The agreement requires the borough to consider the zoning ordinance introduced Tuesday, it said.

According to the borough, the ordinance will now move on to the Franklin Lakes Planning Board for review. The Board is set to hold a special meeting on Monday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m. to consider the ordinance.

After the Planning Board makes a recommendation on the ordinance, it will move back to the mayor and council for a final vote. That vote is currently schedule for Dec. 17.