Aberdeen Council adopts overlay to restore affordable-housing protections for Block 155

Aberdeen Township Council voted July 2 to adopt Ordinance 15-2026, restoring the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO-1) for Block 155, Lots 2, 3, 4 and 5. Councilwoman Montone moved final passage and Deputy Mayor Hirsch seconded; the roll call showed six ayes and one abstention (Councilman Mirabal), and the ordinance was adopted.

Mayor Cannon explained that the overlay had been removed in 2025 but a judge ordered it reinstated; he warned that failing to adopt the ordinance would expose the township to builder’s remedy development. The ordinance amends Chapter 25 (Land Development) to add the specified lots to the AHO-1 overlay.

During the public hearing, several residents raised objections to the prospect of new multifamily development on the parcels. Rajneesh of American Way said he purchased property expecting a shopping center and playground and worried the change would repeat past disappointments. Juliana and Ramya (both American Way) cited traffic and school impacts; Brina, a long-term neighbor, raised concerns about light pollution, habitat loss and increased energy demand; Jenna, a Glassworks resident, criticized the shift from promised retail and park amenities to apartments; Navin Guptka asked whether residents could be compensated for unmet developer promises; and Mr. Rollins said his street has been strained by traffic and questioned the ratio of total units to the number of affordable units delivered. These concerns were entered on the record; no formal remedy or compensation was announced at the meeting.

The motion to adopt was made at the meeting and the clerk recorded the roll call vote. The final-adoption notice will be published on the Township website per the clerk’s announcement. The transcript does not specify an effective date for the ordinance or any implementation timeline beyond publication.