the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Twp. of Washington NJ, township Mayor Peter Calamari comment’s on the State’s “affordable housing” mandates for Twp. of Washington:
As your mayor, I want to speak to our residents not just as an elected official, but as a neighbor who shares your deep love for this community.
Navigating the state’s affordable housing mandates has been one of the most difficult and complex challenges we’ve faced. These mandates often strip municipalities of local control, forcing towns into “one-size-fits-all” solutions. But thanks to the leadership and commitment of our Town Council, we’ve been able to push back, protect our zoning authority, and make decisions that reflect the best interests of Washington Township.
From the start, the Council has been at the center of every key decision, working alongside the Planning Board and our legal team—to meet legal obligations while preserving the character of our town. These choices haven’t been easy, but inaction would have left us vulnerable to even greater risks, including developer-driven projects with far more density and far less local input.
There are TWO PROPOSED SITES to meet our affordable housing obligation:
660 Pascack Rd (Corner of Pascack & Washington):
• Rezoned for 28 townhouses
• Includes 7 affordable units
• Settles an active lawsuit from a prior zoning denial
370 Pascack Rd (Valley/Oritani Bank site):• Developer proposed 74 units
• Final count may be reduced after site plan review to allow for larger buffers and setbacks
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS & TIMELINE:
By June 30, 2025 – Plan must be adopted and filed (per Planning Board Resolution 25-10)
Within 48 hours – Missing the deadline results in loss of immunity from exclusionary zoning lawsuits
July–August 2025 – Public objection period
September 2025 – Review begins by the Dispute Resolution Program (6 retired judges)
Spring 2026 – Final plan approval expected
By March 2026 – Township must adopt all implementing zoning changes
LOOKING AHEAD:
A midpoint review (in 5 years) will assess development progress
If a site doesn’t get built as planned, a replacement will need to be identifiedOur DCA rehabilitation obligation: zero
State-mandated future need was 184 units—this number was reduced to 11 units, thanks to strong past planning and limited buildable land.This issue is not unique to us, towns across Bergen County are facing similar challenges. Yet, unlike some neighboring communities with large commercial zones, together we have found a way to maintain local control and limit overdevelopment through thoughtful planning and legal diligence.
Our work is far from over.
Washington Township was one of the first municipalities to join a coalition challenging these unfair state mandates at the federal level—an effort the Council strongly supports.
Please know: the Town Council and I have acted with full transparency and the long-term future of our town in mind. We are your neighbors, and we remain united in doing what’s best for Washington Township.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have questions or want to learn more, my door is always open.
Mayor Peter Calamari
Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
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And why can’t Ridgewood do this? Right now the developer-driven plan is to add huge new affordable
housing to Chestnut Street. Is it not possible to reduce our obligation as Washington has done through smart tactics? And is it not possible to seat affordable housing on the Town Garage space that Ridgewood actually owns,
rather than subjecting residents on Oak Street to years of construction immediately bordering properties?
Because this guy must be a good guy unlike our mayor
And why can’t Ridgewood do this? Right now the developer-driven plan is to add huge new so-called affordable
housing to Chestnut Street. Is it not possible to reduce our obligation as Washington has done through smart tactics? And is it not possible to seat affordable housing on the Town Garage space that Ridgewood actually owns,
rather than subjecting residents on Oak Street to years of construction immediately bordering properties?
Is it not possible for Ridgewood to do the same:
strategically oppose the state, reduce the obligation, and plan this fairly? Right now the developer-driven plan is to put enormous new buildings on Chestnut, with years of construction immediately bordering the property of Oak Street residents and traffic to follow. How about reducing the obligation as Washington Township has done and siting the buildings on Maple and on the vacant Town Garage lot, which Ridgewood owns.
The developers will make sure Washington twsp builds those houses.