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Wanaque council adopts zoning changes and trust-fund plan to meet affordable housing obligations
Summary
On April 27 the Wanaque Mayor and Council adopted Ordinance #03-19-2026 to amend local zoning for Affordable Housing compliance and approved the borough's Fourth‑Round Affordable Housing Trust Fund Spending Plan and Affirmative Marketing Plan.
The Wanaque Mayor and Council adopted Ordinance #03-19-2026 on April 27, 2026, amending Chapter 114-63 of the borough code to expand zoning alternatives intended to comply with the Affordable Housing Act. The council also adopted the borough's Fourth Round Affordable Housing Trust Fund Spending Plan and an Affirmative Marketing Plan.
Borough Administrator Robert Hermansen told the council the ordinance “opens up alternatives for our zoning to comply with the Affordable Housing Act,” and stated that the affordable-housing percentage is 25 percent. Mayor Daniel Mahler noted that several recent developments — The View, Lakeside Village and Parkside — include affordable units and said a Ringwood Avenue application approved by the Board of Adjustment will include “20 percent of the development” as affordable housing.
The mayor opened the ordinance to public comment. Resident Jay Cohen asked if the governing body’s earlier executive session concerned the ordinance and suggested holding executive sessions at the end of meetings; resident Sandy Lawson asked for a plain‑language explanation of the ordinance’s effect. The council responded in open session and carried the adoption by roll call (Yes: Balunis, Cortellessa, Kronyak, Leonard, Pasquariello, Pettet; No: none).
As part of the meeting the council approved Resolution #2026-139 adopting the Fourth Round Affordable Housing Trust Fund Spending Plan (dated April 15, 2026) and Resolution #2026-140 adopting the Affirmative Marketing Plan. The Spending Plan is on file with the borough clerk for public inspection, per the resolutions.
The meeting record shows the governing body invoked an executive session earlier in the evening to discuss affordable housing matters under the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-12) and stated it will disclose closed‑session discussion and actions when legally permissible.
Next steps: the adopted ordinance and spending plan are now part of the borough’s legislative record; residents seeking copies or details can view the documents at the municipal clerk’s office during normal business hours.
