Cranford adopts resolution accepting statepresumptive 268-unit round 4 affordable-housing obligation

The Cranford Township Committee voted Jan. 31 to adopt Resolution 2025-114 committing the township to the statepresumptive round 4 affordable-housing obligation of 268 units and authorizing a declaratory-judgment filing to secure a presumption of validity for that number.

The resolution, adopted by roll call vote, starts a process the committeewas told could include February challenges by developers or other objectors, a program-level dispute resolution phase, possible litigation, and a later housing element and fair-share plan due in June that may include a vacant-land adjustment for Cranford.

Mayor Patrick Curran opened the special meeting on affordable housing by placing the vote in historical context, saying the town was "sitting here tonight really because of history" of exclusionary housing practices and noting the committee would vote to accept the state's presumptive number to seek protection from buildersremedy suits. Cranford retained outside affordable-housing counsel to explain the new round 4 process.

Town counsel Kristen…