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Hanover committee adopts extensions of affordability controls for two apartment projects over developer objection
Summary
The Hanover Township Committee voted unanimously to adopt ordinances extending affordability controls on 64 units at Sterling Park and additional units at Metro West, despite a lawyer for the owner arguing the township lacks authority to unilaterally extend the restrictions.
Hanover Township’s governing body voted June 11 to adopt ordinances extending long‑term affordability restrictions on two rental projects after a contested public hearing.
The committee adopted ordinances 25‑2026, 26‑2026 and 27‑2026 by roll call (5–0) to preserve units that the township says are needed to meet ongoing affordable‑housing needs. The measures extend affordability controls the committee says it may preserve under current fourth‑round rules and the township’s housing plan.
Craig Janetti, attorney for TR Sterling Hanover LLC, told the committee he objected to ordinance 27‑2026 and asked that the vote be postponed. Janetti said the 64 Sterling Park units are governed by an earlier affordable‑housing agreement and therefore are not covered by current uniform housing affordability controls; he said the agreement provides for expiration and that the town cannot “unilaterally extend these controls.”
Town counsel (identified in the meeting transcripts as Fred) and multiple committee members responded that the township believes state fourth‑round guidance and past court rulings allow the municipality to record or secure extensions to preserve affordable units. As Fred put it, the township “has an opportunity under the law … to extend these affordability controls.” Committee members cited the town’s ongoing need for affordable housing and prior cases in which extensions were upheld.
Residents who live in or near the developments urged the committee to protect tenants. Fern Walen told the committee that the discussion should focus on “people who live there” and the hardship tenants would face if units were lost; another resident, Ahmad Cai, said the extensions would set an example and could help residents and youth.
The committee’s roll call recorded five affirmative votes (Committeeman Cahill, Committeeman Veramosa, Committeeman Francioli, Deputy Mayor Michael Malco, and Mayor Gallagher). Committee members said they attempted to contact the property owners for voluntary discussions before moving forward, and that outreach received no substantive interest.
What happens next: the ordinances were adopted as presented; the committee and town counsel signaled they will continue to coordinate with counsel for the owners and cited the township’s affordable‑housing trust and legal options for preserving rental units.
