NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WINSLOW, COUNTY OF CAMDEN, AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AMENDING ORDINANCE O-2024-026 AUTHORIZING A FINANCIAL AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO THE FIVE-YEAR EXEMPTION AND ABATEMENT LAW WITH K. HOVNANIAN VILLAGES AT HAYS MILL CREEK, LLC
WHEREAS, the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1, et seq., as amended and supplemented (the “Redevelopment Law”), provides a process for municipalities to participate in the redevelopment and improvement of areas in need of redevelopment or rehabilitation; and
WHEREAS, on May 22, 2018, the Township Committee adopted Resolution R-2018-249, designating parcels identified as Block 2502, Lots 20, 21, 22.01 and 23.01 and Block 2504 Lot 3 (the “Property” or “Redevelopment Area”) as an “Area in Need of Redevelopment” in accordance with the Redevelopment Law, referred to herein as the “Redevelopment Area;” and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance O-2021-005 adopted on February 23, 2021, the Township Committee adopted a redevelopment plan entitled the “Redevelopment Plan Block 2502, Lots 20, 21, 22.01 and 23.01 and Block 2504, Lot 3” (the “Redevelopment Plan”), and which sets forth, inter alia, the plans for the redevelopment and rehabilitation of the Redevelopment Area; and
WHEREAS, the provisions of the Five-Year Tax Exemption and Abatement Law, N.J.S.A 40A:21-1, et seq. (the “Exemption Law”), permit a municipality to exempt from the payment of real estate taxes, for a limited period of time, any improvements made in the development of a rehabilitation area, subject to the terms and conditions of a tax agreement complying with the requirements of the Exemption Law; and
WHEREAS, K. Hovnanian Villages at Hays Mill Creek, LLC having offices at 110 Fieldcrest Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08873 (the “Entity”), has taken title to the Property and submitted a proposal to the Township to construct 142 detached single-family homes on a portion of the property as (the “Project”) or (“Project Improvements); and
WHEREAS, the Township adopted Ordinance O-2024-026 on October 16, 2024 authorizing a Financial Agreement pursuant to the Five-Year Exemption and Abatement Law with K. Hovnanian Villages at Hays Mill Creek, LLC; and
WHEREAS, the Township has received a request from the owners of property located at 51 Sweetgum Road, Block 2502.04, Lot 8, which is encompassed within Ordinance 0-2024-026 who now seek totally disabled veteran status for tax exemption purposes; and
WHEREAS, the owners of 51 Sweetgum Road, Block 2502.04, Lot 8 should be removed effective May 29, 2026 the date they originally filed their application for exemption on May 29, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Township will issue a refund of the taxes paid by the owners of 51 Sweetgum Road, Block 2502.04, Lot 8 effective May 29, 2026, the date of their initial application for exemption; and
WHEREAS, the Township has contacted the State of New Jersey, Division of Taxation who has informed that in order to provide the owner of 51 Sweetgum Road with totally disabled veterans status for tax exemption purposes it is necessary to amend Ordinance O-2024-026 accordingly;
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Township Committee find that the totally disabled veterans status for tax exemption purposes for the owner of 51 Sweetgum Road should take priority and preference over the Five-Year Exemption and Abatement Law so that this disabled veteran can achieve complete tax exemption status for his service to his country.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED, by the Mayor and the Township Committee of the Township of Winslow, as follows:
SECTION 1. The aforementioned recitals are incorporated herein as though fully set forth at length.
SECTION 2. The owner of the property located at 51 Sweetgum Road, Block 2502.04, Lot 8 in the Township of Winslow, County of Camden and State of New Jersey is hereby removed from the Financial Agreement under the Five-Year Exemption and Abatement Law as set forth in Ordinance O-2024-026 so that they may apply for and receive, if eligible, tax exemption status as totally disabled veterans as provided for under law and as determined by the Township Tax Assessor and the Township shall issue a refund of the taxes paid by the owners of 51 Sweetgum Road from May 29, 2026, the date of their initial application for exemption.
SECTION 3. In the event the property located at 51 Sweetgum Road in the Township of Winslow, County of Camden and State of New Jersey loses eligibility for tax exemption purposes as set forth herein, said property may be reinstated into the Financial Agreement as set forth in Ordinance O-2024-026 to the extent the property is still eligible for same.
SECTION 4. This Ordinance shall take effect after final adoption and publication according to law.
Notice is hereby given that the foregoing Ordinance was introduced and passed upon first reading at a regular meeting of the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of Winslow on the 21st day of July, 2026 , at 7:00 P.M., and the same was then ordered published according to law; and the same ordinance will be further considered for final passage during a meeting of the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of Winslow to be held in the Mayor Dominic Maiese Municipal Complex, 125 S. Route 73, Braddock, New Jersey on August 18, 2026, commencing at 7:00 P.M., prevailing time, or at any time and place to which such meeting from time to time may be adjourned. All persons interested will be given an opportunity during said time to be heard concerning such Ordinance by order of the Mayor and Township Committee.
LISA L. DORITY, RMC
MUNICIPAL CLERK