Over the past few months, legislation designed to address New Jersey’s Fourth Round affordable housing cycle has been making its way through the Legislature and was passed in the Assembly on February 12, 2024. On March 20, 2024, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law Bill A4/S50 which passed the Legislature as well as other pieces of affordable housing legislation. The new legislation substantially revises the Fair Housing Act governing housing for low-income and moderate-income familiars in New Jersey.

The new law is intended to streamline compliance and reduce the delays for the construction of new affordable housing, and to provide municipalities and developers with more certainty to enable smarter planning for the location of affordable housing. In addition, the new legislation provides aggressive deadlines which each municipality must comply with to obtain immunity. Notable changes are described below:

COAH is Abolished

COAH failed to function in addressing affordable housing in the state and its functions have been replaced within the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). New Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution and the appointment of designated judges to resolve disputes and determine municipal compliance. Noted as “the program” within the Legislature, it will consist of current or retired judges and other qualified experts. The Administrative Director of the Courts will be tasked with establishing procedures for the purpose of efficiently resolving disputes. The Chief Justice will also designate a Superior Court judge in each of the 15 court districts to serve as a county level housing judge to resolve the disputes over the compliance of fair share plans and housing elements as well as disputes that arise with ongoing compliance.

Calculation of Affordable Housing Obligations 

The DCA is charged with conducting a calculation of regional need, and present and prospective municipal obligations. 

• Regional prospective need will first be ascertained by determining household changes in the two most recent censuses, and the household change will be divided by 2.5 to estimate the number of low- and moderate-income homes needed in each region. 
• Each municipality’s present need obligation will then be determined by estimating the existing deficient housing units currently occupied by low-and moderate-income households within the municipality. 
• A municipality’s prospective fair share obligation will then be determined using data published by the DCA Division of Local Government Services. For the upcoming fourth round, the data will use the beginning of the gap period in 1999. 
• The fair share obligation will also consider a municipality’s land capacity factor, as well as the planning area classification for the municipality under the State Plan. 
• Municipalities are not required to provide affordable housing exceeding 1,000 housing units or 20% of the total number of households, whichever is less. 

Key Dates

The DCA is required to provide a report on the calculations for regional need and municipal obligations within 7 months of the adopt of the new law. The new law was adopted in March 2024 and municipalities can expect their obligations to be determined by October 2024.

Any previous immunity a municipality obtained from exclusionary zoning litigation no longer exists.

The only way for a municipality to obtain immunity from exclusionary zoning litigation is by meeting the following deadlines:

Immunity from exclusionary zoning litigation will be accomplished if a municipality complies with all the deadlines. The municipalities may obtain grace periods for delays due to circumstances beyond the control of the municipality. These grace periods will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the county level housing judge.

Final Thoughts

Neglia Group’s planning department can assist if a challenge is filed, and can help explain bonus credits and incentives. The ultimate goal is to address the housing of families as 50% of the municipal obligation must be addressed with housing for families with children.

In closing, the new law targets areas for redevelopment and requires municipalities with vacant land adjustments to identify sufficient parcels that are likely to redevelop to address at least 25% of the prospective need and must adopt zoning to allow this. If a municipality is unable to do so they must demonstrate why it is not achievable.

Contact Neglia Group today for more information and to learn how we can assist!

President Michael J. Neglia discusses the state of Neglia Group in its 75th year, and provides insight into the future of municipal engineering and consulting.

Neglia Group is celebrating our women in engineering for International Women in Engineering Day today! 

The Women’s Engineering Society formed on June 23, 1919, and Neglia is aligned in their vision “to support women in engineering to fulfill their potential and support the engineering industry to be inclusive.”

Neglia is proud of the successes of these six women highlighted today, and appreciates the skills they bring to our growing firm!

We look forward to supporting our engineers as they progress in their careers, and to continuing the conversations towards a more inclusive industry.

Learn more about the Women’s Engineering Society here, and please read about our women in engineering below!

Neglia Group is pleased to announce promotions for David Silva (left), John Dunlea (center), and Norberto Hernandez (right) to Senior Manager. Congratulations!

Read more about their contributions to Neglia Group in their own words below.

David Silva, PE

Every day at Neglia brings on a new challenge. The most rewarding project I have worked on is the Gunnell Oval Recreational Complex in Kearny. As someone who grew up in Kearny, it was an honor to be part of the design team for this major project and provide construction management support through completion. This site is now home to nine baseball and softball fields, six soccer fields, two basketball courts, a tennis and pickleball court, a large playground, two outdoor fitness areas, a volleyball court, and two recreational buildings.

Other notable projects that I’ve worked on are the North Bergen Residential Transit Village, the 455 Sixteenth Street Drainage Improvements project in Carlstadt, the Veterans Memorial Field Improvements and the Dukes Street Stormwater Pumping Station in Kearny. During my time at Neglia, I have appreciated the many opportunities provided to me and I am most proud of the technical knowledge, hard work, and determination that I have been able to contribute.

John Dunlea, PE

During my career at Neglia, the two projects I am particularly proud of are the Wood-Ridge Athletic Complex and Belleville Municipal Stadium. Both major projects required unique site engineering solutions during design and construction. I consider my most memorable project to be the Learning Center Range and 9-Hole Course Renovation Project at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth as it provided my first experience working on a project with substantial grading and drainage design challenges. Lastly, I am looking forward to seeing two large projects currently under construction reach their completion – the Original Grandstand Demolition and Site Improvements at Meadowlands Sports Complex and the new Carlstadt Garden Orchard Municipal Recreation Complex.

I am proud to work for Neglia and consider myself extremely fortunate to work for such a great firm. I do my best to exceed expectations by constantly interacting with clients and building my knowledge and technical skills as an engineer.

Norberto Hernandez, PE

During my time at Neglia Group, I have had the privilege of being involved in notable projects such as the Lyndhurst Middle School, Tops Diner Reconstruction in East Newark, and Wallington Veterans Memorial Library. While each project is different, I am encouraged each day knowing the impact these projects can have on the quality of life for residents of the communities we work in.

I am extremely proud of the growth our firm has experienced over the last several years and take pride in the responsibility we have been given to train the next generation of engineers. Most of all, I am thankful for all the opportunities provided to me and look forward to playing a role in what the future holds at Neglia Group!

Neglia highlights an additional 4 recently completed athletic complex projects:

1. Memorial Field, Park Ridge, NJ
2. Snyder Ave County Park, Berkeley Heights, NJ
3. Belleville Municipal Stadium, Belleville, NJ
4. Wood-Ridge Athletic Complex, Wood-Ridge, NJ

Neglia is pleased to announce that Lyndsay Knight, PP, AICP, has joined the firm as the Director of Planning, bringing more than 10 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Her knowledge and experience will further bolster the firm’s focus on planning and strengthen its ability to serve clients.
 
Lyndsay received her Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Colorado. Her experience ranges from serving as an in-house Municipal Zoning Official for the Town of Westfield to working as a Senior Planner for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
 
While working in the private sector, Lyndsay testified in front of several Boards and served various municipalities by preparing redevelopment plans, downtown revitalization plans, and transportation demand analysis; developing and reexamining master plans; and updating ordinances.
 
Neglia provides planning, engineering, landscape architecture, land surveying, construction administration, and GIS services for clients in the municipal, county, and private sectors. For over 70 years, Neglia has employed highly qualified professionals that provide clients with the dedication, personalized attention, and responsiveness they have come to expect from the firm.

Neglia sends a big THANK YOU to our summer interns for their hard work these past few months! These employees were able to work side by side with industry professionals and apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world projects in our communities. We wish them the best of luck at school, and look forward to working with them again as they begin their careers.

Neglia’s GIS team works on countless projects across the Municipal, County, State, Utility, and Business spectrum. We are proud to announce that Neglia will be a presenter at the largest GIS conference in the Mid-Atlantic region! Learn more about MAC URISA 2022 at the conference website below.

https://macurisaconf2022-urisa.hub.arcgis.com/

We’re excited to announce Neglia Group’s rebranding and website redesign. You may have seen the new building signage, and we want to assure you we are still committed to serving our long-time clients with the same civil engineering and consulting offerings. 

We’re proud of our new look and easy-to-use website, and we’re excited to expand our services in ways that best serve our clients. As you review our core services, you’ll see our continued emphasis on excellent customer service, clear communication, and efficiencies.   

The Same Great Services

Experienced. Dedicated. Responsive.

After decades of serving local municipalities and private companies, we bring these three characteristics into every project we take on. Our engineers and team members keep your best interests in mind through every service offering. 

Surveying

Over 70 years ago, Neglia was founded on efficient surveying practices and improved workflow between office and field staff. We continue to offer this core service to municipal, county, and private sector clients so you can receive accurate measurements and plan projects successfully.

With expanded drone and unmanned aerial systems, our surveys are more accurate and efficient than ever before.

Planning

Our municipal and county clients rely on our planning services to make the best decisions for their residents. Whether planning transportation or developments, we guide the decision process for better budgets and ultimately better services for local residents. 

Because of our decades of experience, we easily accommodate changes in regulations to plan the future of your town and county effectively. For our private clients, we utilize our local knowledge to obtain the correct permits and approvals for a successful project.

Construction Management

With resources on both ends of the project, Neglia Group is prepared to manage a construction project from engineering plans through the end of construction. We prioritize communication so projects can remain on schedule and on budget as much as possible.

Landscape Architecture

With our continued focus on municipal, county, and private sector projects, our landscape architects understand the local environment and make the decisions to best use local resources while enhancing biodiversity.

Expanded Offerings

After 70 years in civil engineering and consulting, we have expanded our services to better serve our clients. As a result, you’ll receive the same responsive attention and service you’ve come to expect from Neglia Group, with the additional capabilities you need to run a project successfully. 

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

We know your county or municipality has a lot of data to track – from road paving to water valve inspections and more – so we work with your existing systems or recommend the best product to keep your data accessible. You need easy access to this data to better plan for the future and serve your residents.

The benefits of Geographic Information Systems impact everyone involved: with proper road paving assessments, you can prevent delays for your residents. By collecting and organizing the US Census Data, you can better understand trends and opportunities for business growth. And with clear dashboards, your team can easily access data online from anywhere with an internet browser. While we have recommended platforms, we work within your established structures to best meet your budget needs and maximize investment.

One of our top priorities is responsive communication, and GIS only enhances those capabilities. In addition, with our efficiencies and knowledge of large-scale projects, we can ensure you have clear reporting and data retention for years to come.

UAS and Drone Services

Drones have significantly increased our ability to collect accurate data and provide project updates. With Unmanned Aerial Systems, we can provide safe, remote inspections, as well as photography and images to ensure progress. Our team consists of certified drone pilots operating under the Federal Aviation Administration, and we keep them current on their certifications with continuing education and knowledge exams.

We’ve found these services especially useful in keeping the public engaged with an ongoing expansive project, as well as assessing damage after a flood or emergency. All parties involved can stay safe but up-to-date on current efforts.

The Future

As a third-generation family business, we strive to provide the same great service you’ve received for over 70 years. While our look and expanded services may seem new, we’re simply providing the tools your municipality, county, or private company need to meet today’s building and safety regulations.

We continue to provide the best customer service and accountability to our clients, so we can maintain our reputation as one of the industry’s most respected, versatile, and accomplished firms.

Neglia’s expert designs lead to state-of-the-art athletic complexes within our communities. Take a look at a few recent examples in the below video and look out for a Part 2 to this video showing off additional locations.

1. Gunnell Oval, Kearny, NJ
2. DeMuro Track and Courts, Nutley, NJ
3. Zadroga Field, North Arlington, NJ
4. Oak Ridge County Park, Clark, NJ

Neglia is proud to work with dozens of New Jersey municipalities and hundreds of local stakeholders across the state. As a sponsor of the 2022 New Jersey Municipal Guide, Neglia strives to keep our communities moving forward. Please find a complimentary copy of the guide by clicking the cover page below.

Neglia is proud to have worked on a joint park project between Hudson County and the Hudson County Schools of Technology.

Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus, NJ was recently renovated to make use of a barren portion of land. Neglia provided survey and design services for the park which now includes basketball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, an outdoor fitness center, and additional parking for school and public use.

Please see the article from the Hudson Reporter below:

https://hudsonreporter.com/2021/12/21/officials-reopen-laurel-hill-park-after-renovations/