The March 15 Deadline: How Wyckoff’s New Affordable Housing Plan Affects Local Zoning
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
WYCKOFF, NJ — The landscape of Wyckoff is set to evolve following the Township Committee’s marathon approval of 11 new ordinances this week. The move comes just in time to meet a strict New Jersey statewide deadline of March 15, ensuring the township maintains control over its local zoning.
The approved plan is the result of a settlement with the Fair Share Housing Center, following a legal challenge to the township’s 2025 housing element. Under the new “Fourth Round” rules, Wyckoff has established clear quotas for affordability, density, and unit types across several key local sites.
The Big Changes: Which Neighborhoods are Affected?
Several high-profile locations in Wyckoff will see increased density to accommodate inclusionary housing (developments where 20% of units are set aside as affordable).
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West Main Street (500 W. Main St.): Zoning density jumped from 10 to 14 units per acre on this 13.7-acre site.
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Goffle Road Expansion: Nine lots north of Coe Avenue (near 555-575 Goffle Rd) are now zoned for 10 units per acre.
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Greenwood & Godwin Avenue: Sites near the Post Office will now strictly require a 20% affordable set-aside for any new development.
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Wyndham Court: A new “AHO-6” zone at 825 Wyndham Court now permits townhouses and multifamily units.
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Franklin Avenue: Significant zoning updates for lots at 135 and 139 Franklin Ave (8 units per acre) and the B-1 Business District.
What the New Quotas Mean for Families
This isn’t just about building more; it’s about who can live there. The court-confirmed agreement sets strict requirements for the types of homes allowed:
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Families First: At least 50% of all new affordable units must be designed for families with children.
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Age Limits: Senior/age-restricted housing cannot exceed 30% of the total plan.
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Income Tiers: Half of the units are reserved for low-income households, with 13% specifically set aside for “very low-income” residents (earning 30% or less of the regional median).
Why Now? The March 15 “Cliff”
Townships across New Jersey faced a mid-March deadline to adopt these ordinances. Failure to comply would have stripped Wyckoff of its “immunity” from builder’s remedy lawsuits—legal actions that allow developers to bypass local zoning boards entirely if a town isn’t meeting its fair share obligations.
By passing these 11 ordinances, Wyckoff retains its ability to steer how and where the community grows through 2035.
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“Fair Share Housing Center”
When I see the word “Fair” in an organization’s name, I want to reach for………………………………….