Wallington Planning Board adopts master plan reexamination, reallocates 92 affordable units to 350 Mt. Pleasant

The Wallington Planning Board on March 10, 2026 adopted a 2026 Master Plan Reexamination Report and approved an amended Housing Element and Fair Share Plan that reallocates the borough's 92-unit affordable housing obligation to 350 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, known as the Latex site.

Professional planner John Szabo of Burgess Associates testified that the borough's last comprehensive master plan dated to 1979 and that subsequent amendments had produced a patchwork of documents. Szabo told the board that maintaining current reexamination reports is important in demonstrating that the municipality has continued to evaluate and update planning policies. "The borough's present affordable housing obligation is 92 units," Szabo said, describing how the amended plan reallocates units previously associated with a Main Avenue (DMV) concept to the Latex property.

The board voted unanimously to approve the reexamination report and to adopt a resolution directing that the report be forwarded to the mayor and council, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Bergen County Planning Board, and neighboring municipalities as required by the Municipal Land Use Law.

During the public hearing on the amended Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, residents raised questions about infrastructure, the size of the Latex property and how many units it could accommodate, and whether the acreage might suit other community uses. Craig M. Gianetti, Esq., appearing on behalf of Wallington Industrial Development, objected to removing 434 Main Avenue (the DMV site) from the amended plan and urged retention of that site in the borough's planning process. Szabo and Special Counsel Robert F. Simon responded that the Main Avenue concept raised planning concerns with its surrounding neighborhood and that reallocating those units to the Latex site was determined to better meet planning objectives while allowing the borough to continue through affordable housing compliance.

By motion, the board approved the amended Housing Element and Fair Share Plan dated Feb. 26, 2026, and adopted a resolution stating that the plan satisfies the applicable requirements of the Fair Housing Act and the Municipal Land Use Law; the resolution recommended endorsement by the mayor and council and directed that copies be forwarded to appropriate agencies.

The board also reviewed three related ordinances referred by the governing body under Section 26 of the Municipal Land Use Law. Planner Szabo said Ordinance No. 2026-07 repeals and replaces the borough's affordable housing ordinance to establish updated procedures required under the Fair Housing Act and is consistent with the housing element; the board found 2026-07 not inconsistent with the master plan. Szabo explained that Ordinance No. 2026-08, intended to establish zoning standards for inclusionary affordable housing sites, still referenced the Main Avenue site (removed from the amended plan) and thereby created an inconsistency; the board unanimously found 2026-08 inconsistent with the master plan and noted that any revisions would need to be addressed by the governing body.

Finally, the board reviewed Ordinance No. 2026-09, a redevelopment plan for Block 70.01, Lot 80 (350 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, the Latex site) setting development standards, unit counts and affordability requirements to implement the housing element. The board found the redevelopment plan consistent with the master plan and housing element and adopted a resolution reporting that finding.

All formal motions and resolutions recorded during the meeting passed by unanimous roll call votes of those present: Tomasz Bazel, Stanley Baginski, Joseph Smith, Councilman Eugeniusz Rachelski, Mayor Melissa Dabal and James Furtak (alternate). The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Next steps: the adopted reexamination report, the amended Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, and the planning board's resolutions will be forwarded to the mayor and council and the other agencies noted for their consideration and any required follow-up by the governing body.