A judge has certified Chatham Borough's affordable housing plan, a milestone that could clear the way for public discussion of a proposed apartment building on borough-owned land next to Memorial Park.

Resident Brigid McMenamin, who runs the advocacy blog Hometown Chatham, announced the certification Monday, July 20. Borough records show the council voted in June to authorize Special Affordable Housing Counsel Jonathan Drill to sign the consent order needed for final compliance, though the borough has not separately announced the certification.

The proposed project would build four affordable apartments and seven parking spaces on a borough-owned wooded lot at 58 North Passaic Ave., adjacent to Memorial Park.

McMenamin argues the court certification removes the legal reason officials had cited for limiting discussion of the project.

"Now the Mayor & Council can schedule that forum," she wrote, urging officials to answer residents' questions about the project's cost, location and alternatives.

Mayor Carolyn Dempsey has not announced a public forum. At a May council meeting, she said residents' questions had already been addressed multiple times. Earlier this year, however, she said the borough would continue engaging with residents once the court ruled on the housing plan.

The property, purchased by the borough in 1982, is listed as tax-exempt and designated as a playground in property records.

The borough has not released a cost estimate for the proposed development.

The next Borough Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at Borough Hall. Officials have not said whether the proposal will be on the agenda.