Allendale council affirms plan to buy affordable units and flags sewer-capacity risk tied to neighboring 275-unit project

The Allendale Borough Council on June 12 adopted Resolution 25-161 expressing the borough’s intent to purchase two affordable units, extend deed restrictions on two other units and reserve the option to buy two additional units to maintain its fair-share housing inventory.

Mayor Amy Winski told the council the housing element and related analysis are nearly complete and must proceed to the Land Use Board for review before returning to the council for final action. "We are for affordable housing," the mayor said, but she added that local compliance must be balanced with public-safety and infrastructure considerations.

Winski said Allendale continues discussions with Saddle River and Avalon Bay regarding a proposed 275-unit project that seeks sewer access through Allendale. The mayor said borough engineers have concluded that the project could "max out our capacity," while engineers representing the developer have presented a different assessment. Council members said the issue will continue to be negotiated and may require technical review and regional coordination.

The council approved Resolution 25-161 on a roll-call vote and directed staff to proceed with the housing element's land-use review and related deadlines. The mayor noted that the borough faces statutory deadlines under the current round of fair-share requirements and hopes for legislative reform in future rounds.

No formal action on sewer access was taken; council members said further engineering discussions and intermunicipal talks are anticipated.