The Cranford Township Committee on Tuesday unanimously endorsed the township’s housing element and fair‑share plan, a Planning Board‑adopted document that town officials say uses previously earned credits so no new large affordable‑housing developments are required in this round.

The endorsement moves the plan forward for court consideration; township officials said court acceptance is required by Aug. 31 before the plan takes effect. The committee read a resolution (No. 2025‑261) and approved it by roll call vote.

The committee’s endorsement came after several committee members reviewed the history and policymaking that led to the current plan. “This plan does not have any new large developments that are required in it,” Mayor Curran said, praising work by municipal staff, legal counsel and the planning consultant. Deputy Mayor Gallo and other commissioners said the plan reflects years of prior decisions and provides the township with control over where and how development could occur if a developer comes forward.

A township attorney thanked the committee and specifically acknowledged Darlene Green, the township’s affordable‑housing planner, and Mike Edwards, the township’s affordable‑housing attorney, for their work in preparing the plan on a compressed schedule.

During public comment, resident Will Thillie told the committee the town will not have to build new units this round because “we received credits.” Thillie said the plan covers about 24 units through excess credits from the previous round and that an additional 14 excess units remain from earlier compliance. He warned that the township has rezoned large areas to allow future development “if and when any developer does wanna build in our town” and asked what options the town has to resist state direction on rezoning.

Committee members responded in the meeting that some municipalities have faced tougher outcomes — including use of eminent domain or loss of local planning authority — and that Cranford’s process was intended to preserve local input. Committee members also emphasized that the endorsement is subject to court acceptance and that the committee will not know whether the courts accept the plan until that review is complete.

The committee voted to adopt Resolution No. 2025‑261 by roll call. Commissioners recorded yes votes for Commissioner Black, Commissioner Andrews, Commissioner Mila Prunty, Deputy Mayor Gallo and Mayor Curran. Following the vote the committee adjourned.

The plan the committee endorsed was previously adopted by the Cranford Planning Board and, if accepted by the court, will guide the township’s approach to meeting its fair‑share affordable‑housing obligations for the coming round. Specific timelines and whether any rezoning will be acted on now or only if a developer files an application were not decided at the meeting and were described by officials as contingent on future events and court action.