The Monroe Township Planning Board voted to adopt the township’s housing element and fair share plan and approved a resolution memorializing the adoption for filing, actions the board said are required to seek immunity from builder’s‑remedy lawsuits if filed by June 30.

The plan, prepared by licensed planner Christine Bell, documents Monroe’s housing inventory, projections and constraints and proposes a mix of existing credits and new development to meet the state’s fourth‑round obligation. “In order to be granted immunity from builder’s remedy lawsuits, the plan needs to be adopted by June 30, so that is why we are here tonight,” Christine Bell said.

The nut graf: The plan addresses a state‑calculated prospective need for 460 affordable units for the fourth round and a present‑need rehabilitation obligation of 76 units. It relies largely on existing affordable units and bonus credits and proposes two new projects — a 30‑unit, 100% affordable development on the township‑owned former Meadowview Care Center site and a combined inclusionary project with a 30% affordable set‑aside — together with existing facilities to meet the obligation.

Board members and staff described the plan as a mix of existing credits and limited rezoning to allow new units. Bell listed existing sources of credit in her presentation: Cranberry Care Center (70 units), Valor Point (43), existing group homes (37), Rocklin/Rocklin‑style manor (44), Jamesburg Manor (43) and Waterside Villas (13). Bell said those existing units, together with bonus credits and the two proposed projects, were being used to meet the 460‑unit prospective need. The document also identifies a present‑need rehabilitation obligation of 76 units, which Bell said the township administers through its rehabilitation program allowing up to $100,000 per eligible unit.

A township representative emphasized that the plan does not amount to immediate zoning for all counted units. “So while it is true that there, we had an obligation of 460 with bonus credits that brought us down to 345 … we’re not zoning for 345 new homes or new units. Most of that is already here,” the speaker said, and described one 100% affordable 30‑unit project the township plans to build at 319 Spotswood Gravel Hill Road in partnership with a nonprofit.

The plan also describes an inclusionary project totaling 223 units (158 market‑rate and 65 affordable) across two sites that will count toward the township’s set‑aside; the presentation described that inclusionary project as a 30% affordable set‑aside. The presenters and a board member repeated that the plan must be adopted and then be followed by ordinance introductions, a planning‑board consistency review and public hearings before zoning changes would take effect. Bell said ordinances and compliance work were likely to appear later: after a public comment period in August and then in the fall, winter or early 2026 the township would begin compliance work.

The board moved to adopt the housing element and fair share plan; Vice Chairman Rothman made the motion and a board member seconded. The roll call recorded affirmative votes from Vice Chairman Rothman, Miss Brodsky, Ms. Damiani, Mr. Slavicek, Councilwoman Cohen and Mayor’s representative Mr. Patel. Following the adoption, the board voted to adopt a resolution memorializing the action so the plan could be filed by the June 30 deadline. The resolution roll call also recorded unanimous affirmative votes from the same members.

The plan references the Municipal Land Use Law and the state Fair Housing framework as the legal requirements guiding the housing element and fair share plan. The board and consultants noted the timeline constraint driving the meeting: the plan must be on file and adopted by the end of the month to preserve the township’s ability to seek immunity from developer lawsuits under the builder’s‑remedy process.

The meeting record shows the board approved adoption and authorized memorialization for filing; next steps cited in the presentation include drafting and introducing implementing ordinances, a planning‑board consistency review and public hearings before any rezoning or construction could proceed.

Ending: Board members praised the professionals who prepared the plan and asked staff to move it forward for filing and for subsequent ordinance work with the governing body and the planning board.