Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Affordable Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bridgewater council introduces affordable-housing ordinances; final votes set for March 5
Summary
The Township Council introduced a development-fee update and three zone-change ordinances to create sites for multifamily affordable housing. Council members unanimously approved introduction; final action is scheduled for March 5, 2026.
The Bridgewater Township Council on the public record introduced a package of ordinances intended to meet state affordable-housing requirements and update the municipality’s development-fee schedule.
At the meeting the council voted by roll call to introduce a fee-update ordinance tied to state uniform housing affordability controls and three zoning changes that would allow multifamily residential developments with affordable units at specified properties (including a site described at 520 Route 22 East, a site at 250 Route 28 and a senior-restricted project at 1400 Frontier Road). The introductions passed unanimously and the council set final action — the public hearing and vote — for March 5, 2026 at 7 p.m. in the township courtroom.
Council members and the mayor discussed timing and legal context during the introduction. One council member noted there are active lawsuits challenging aspects of the state law and urged staff and counsel to check the status of court proceedings before final action; the mayor confirmed the mayor’s 10-day veto period would apply if circumstances required later adjustment. The administration told the council the fee update and ordinance language implement state law and are being introduced to meet March deadlines if the law remains in effect.
The ordinances were presented as a coordinated package to satisfy municipal obligations under New Jersey’s fair housing framework and the council emphasized that the changes reflect state-required standards. Public inspection of the proposed ordinances was announced to be available on the township website, the municipal bulletin board and in the clerk’s office prior to the March 5 hearing.
What happens next: The council will hold a public hearing on March 5, 2026; if the ordinances are adopted and take effect, they will govern applications filed after their effective date. The council and administration said they will monitor pending litigation that could affect statutory deadlines or municipal obligations.
