Committee confirms affordable-housing agreement tied to former All Souls Hospital site and increases consultant budget for Round 4 work

Township officials told the committee on Dec. 17 that a settlement agreement with Russo Acquisitions LLC and SL Acquisitions LLC addresses obligations tied to the former All Souls Hospital site on Mount Kemble Avenue as part of the township’s fourth-round affordable-housing plan.

An official said the All Souls property was part of the third round work that did not proceed as planned and is now included in the fourth-round obligations; the settlement with the developer is intended to help the township meet its affordable-housing obligation. The official said the settlement confirms projects identified by the planning board and that additional projects from the third round have been incorporated so they will be completed.

The committee also discussed an increase in the consultant authorization for work on the 2026 affordable-housing plan from $25,000 to a not-to-exceed $115,000. "This was for the 2026 and putting everything together for our affordable housing plan," an official said, noting the funds come from the township’s affordable housing trust fund and more work will be needed in 2026 to draft ordinances and move projects through the planning board.

The committee approved the resolutions confirming the settlement and the consultant budget authorization; staff will proceed with ordinance drafting and planning-board actions in the new year.