Mountainside council adopts ordinance raising minimum lot size for three-plus subdivisions

The Mountainside Borough Council on April 22 adopted Ordinance 13-40-2025, which amends the borough land-use code to require a minimum lot area of 20,000 square feet for any proposed subdivision of three or more lots. Mayor Paul N. Mirabelli and council members said the change is intended to curb what they described as developers “jamming” multiple lots into areas designed for larger parcels.

"We were finding in the areas where it's 15,000 square feet that developers were coming in and what I consider jamming 3 lots into an area where there probably shouldn't be 3 lots," Mirabelli said during the second reading and public hearing. The ordinance amends Article 10, section 1009(c)(5) to add the new minimum and references critical area provisions in section 1003(z).

The hearing was opened for public comment, and no members of the public spoke on the measure; the council closed the public session and took a roll-call vote to adopt the ordinance. Council members voting in favor were recorded as present during the roll call; the ordinance text states it will take effect immediately upon final adoption and publication as provided by law.

Planning officials said the change applies specifically to subdivisions of three or more lots and does not alter existing lot sizes in single-lot contexts or other district standards. The council described the amendment as a tool to manage infill and protect neighborhood character while directing future subdivision proposals to comply with the new minimum.

The ordinance was introduced as Ordinance 13-40-2025 and copies of the adopted language will be published and posted according to statutory requirements.