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Glen Ridge council endorses Round 4 housing element and fair-share plan to meet state requirement
Summary
The Glen Ridge Borough Council unanimously endorsed the municipality's Round 4 housing element and fair-share plan, which includes a proposed 'gentle density' overlay along Bloomfield Avenue and parcels for inclusionary redevelopment; the plan must be adopted by June 30, 2025 to preserve immunity under recent state law.
Councilor Moody presented and the Glen Ridge Borough Council voted to endorse the Round 4 housing element and fair-share plan, a document the council said the borough must adopt by June 30, 2025 to preserve immunity from exclusionary-zoning litigation under recent state legislation. The council approved the endorsement during its regular meeting after a presentation from planning staff and consultants.
The endorsed plan designates certain parcels, including sites that front Bloomfield Avenue and properties near the Montclair border, as part of the borough's prospective-need map for inclusionary redevelopment. Councilor Moody said these designations do not immediately change existing uses but would require developers to include low- and moderate-income units should redevelopment occur.
—I would like us to not look at this requirement as the check-the-box exercise or something from the state to groan about. This is an opportunity for us to look holistically at our community and determine strategic and appropriate opportunities to develop affordable life-cycle housing,' Councilor Moody said during the discussion.
The plan includes a proposed overlay zone in a portion of the R5 residential district intended to allow 'gentle density' housing types'duplexes, town homes or garden apartments'to provide more middle-housing options. Councilors noted the overlay area sits in a historic district and said any future changes would proceed through Glen Ridge's existing historic-preservation review process.
Town planner Eric Deline and consultant Graham Pedo of Topology were thanked for their work in preparing the plan on a tight timeline. Council discussion emphasized preserving the borough's character while creating housing opportunities for first responders, teachers, borough staff, adult children and grandparents.
The council recorded the motion to endorse the plan, received a second and carried the motion. Councilors indicated the ordinance to create any overlay zone would follow normal council and public-review procedures before affecting property rights.
Next steps: the council will move the overlay and implementing ordinance through the standard ordinance process; additional details will be presented to the public and reviewed by the planning board and historic-preservation officials.
