TOMS RIVER, N.J. — The mystery developer behind a controversial proposal to build nearly 200 affordable housing units in the center of Toms River has been identified as Conifer Realty, a Rochester, New York-based affordable housing developer whose properties have generated tenant complaints over maintenance and management at several locations.
The proposal, introduced just days after the property owner abandoned plans to develop the site as a medical office complex, has become the latest flashpoint in Toms River’s increasingly contentious affordable housing debate. While Mayor Daniel Rodrick has publicly opposed adding new affordable housing projects beyond the township’s court-approved strategy, several council members have expressed support for considering the proposal.
Rodrick said the proposal is a red herring launched by his opponents and isnt real.
“In order to do this, we would have to eminent domain several parcels, he doesn’t own all the land, he’s landlocked, and he doesn’t even have the money,” Rodrick said. “As per his own statements to us, he doesn’t have the money and would need another company to build it. It’s not a real option at this point. If he were a real developer with a real plan, he would’ve filed as an objector. That never happened. Why didn’t he file?”
Rodrick is being forced by state mandates to allow those units to be built over the next 10 years. While he opposes overdevelopment, he has fought vigorously for the township and negotiated a fair deal for the township.
That deal was tossed by “Mo Hill Club” council members, referring to council members who are part of the new Republican political party for Toms River, launched to support former Mayor Mo Hill.
The project has also intensified political divisions inside Town Hall as the township races to meet an October 1 court deadline to finalize its fourth-round affordable housing compliance plan.
- Conifer Realty has been identified as the developer behind the proposed 184-unit affordable housing project.
- The site was previously proposed as a medical office complex before being converted into an affordable housing proposal.
- Mayor Daniel Rodrick has opposed the project and its location and would rather see that land be developed as promised earlier, as commercial and medical units to support aging seniors and veterans at the VA hospital.
- Council President David Ciccozzi and council members Clint Bradley, Robert Bianchini, and Tom Nivison have expressed support for advancing the proposal.
- Toms River faces an October 1 court deadline to finalize its affordable housing plan.
Developer draws scrutiny over record at other properties
While Conifer Realty has developed and manages affordable housing communities throughout the Northeast, the company has also been the subject of public criticism at several apartment complexes.
Public complaints posted through the Better Business Bureau, Yelp and local media reports describe allegations that include delayed maintenance, poor communication with management, unresolved repair requests, elevator outages, mold, leaks and pest problems at some properties.
At certain Conifer-managed developments, residents have organized demonstrations over living conditions and called on local officials to intervene.
Employee reviews posted on Indeed and Glassdoor also describe challenges including staffing shortages, heavy workloads and concerns regarding corporate management, though opinions vary among reviewers.
Medical office proposal quickly becomes an affordable housing project
The proposed development emerged only months after a different vision for the property was presented.
The property owner had previously discussed constructing a medical office complex on the site before returning to township officials with a dramatically different proposal centered on affordable housing.
The change immediately placed the property into the middle of Toms River’s ongoing affordable housing negotiations as municipal officials continue attempting to satisfy state housing obligations while limiting additional residential construction.
Insiders suggest that the property owner was approached by members of the town council. While the town council denied the allegations, Business Administrator Jon Salonis, at the August meeting said he had proof that Tom Nivison has a relationship with the current landowner.
The proposed development would include approximately 184 affordable housing units.
Affordable housing battle divides Township Council
The proposal has exposed growing divisions between Mayor Daniel Rodrick and a majority of the Township Council.
Rodrick has repeatedly argued that Toms River should satisfy its affordable housing obligations by preserving affordability restrictions on existing housing while limiting construction of new apartment developments whenever possible. He aggressively pursued extending deed restrictions with existing affordable housing owners, drastically cutting the state’s mandate for new construction.
Now, that plan is in jeopardy as Mo Hill Club councilmembers continue to derail the mayor’s state-approved plan.
His administration previously negotiated a settlement framework designed to limit new affordable housing construction to approximately 183 to 186 units while extending affordability protections on more than 500 existing homes.
That strategy unraveled after a 4-3 council majority rejected an ordinance involving Jamestowne Village that would have created approximately 140 additional housing units.
The rejection forced Superior Court Judge Sean Gertner to extend the township’s compliance deadline until October 1 while warning that failure to adopt a compliant plan could expose Toms River to builder’s remedy litigation.
Council majority supports exploring alternative sites in the heart of Toms River
Unlike the mayor, Council President David Ciccozzi and council members Clint Bradley, Robert Bianchini and Tom Nivison have generally supported exploring alternative housing sites as the township works toward compliance.
The newly identified Conifer proposal represents another possible location that could be incorporated into the township’s affordable housing strategy before the October deadline.
Whether the council ultimately endorses the project remains uncertain.
No formal approvals have yet been granted.
What is Conifer Realty?
Conifer Realty is headquartered in Rochester, New York, and specializes in developing, constructing and managing affordable housing communities using federal and state affordable housing financing programs.
The company has completed numerous projects throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other Northeastern states.
Like many large affordable housing operators, Conifer has received both recognition for expanding affordable housing and criticism from some tenants regarding property management.
Publicly available reviews and complaint records include allegations involving:
- Delayed maintenance responses.
- Mold and water intrusion.
- Broken elevators.
- Pest infestations.
- Poor communication from management.
- Billing and security deposit disputes.
Some individual properties have also attracted attention from local code enforcement agencies over maintenance issues.
Court deadline approaching
The debate comes as Toms River remains under pressure to finalize its affordable housing compliance plan before October 1.
Judge Sean Gertner has ordered the township to adopt a fourth-round affordable housing plan or risk losing immunity from builder’s remedy lawsuits that could allow developers to seek substantially larger residential projects.
The newly identified Conifer proposal is expected to become one of the most closely watched projects as those discussions continue.
- Who is the developer?
- Conifer Realty, a Rochester, New York-based affordable housing developer and property manager.
- Why is the company drawing attention?
- Public reviews, tenant complaints and reports involving some Conifer-managed properties have alleged maintenance problems, delayed repairs and management issues. These allegations relate to specific properties and do not necessarily reflect conditions at all Conifer developments.
- Who supports the project?
- The proposal has received support from Council President David Ciccozzi and council members Clint Bradley, Robert Bianchini and Tom Nivison as part of ongoing affordable housing discussions.
- Who opposes it?
- Mayor Daniel Rodrick has opposed adding additional affordable housing projects beyond the township’s negotiated compliance strategy.
- Why does the project matter?
- Toms River must adopt a court-approved affordable housing plan by October 1 to maintain protection against builder’s remedy lawsuits.
