NJ Election BOMBSHELL: Candidate Vows to END the Controversial Mount Laurel Affordable Housing Law
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, the debate over affordable housing in New Jersey just escalated. Republican lieutenant governor candidate James Gannon has publicly stated he would “absolutely” look to ditch the state’s standing affordable housing requirements, putting the spotlight squarely on the decades-old Mount Laurel Doctrine.
During a debate on PIX11 News, Gannon signaled a desire for a radical shift in how New Jersey addresses housing equity, arguing the current system is flawed.
Saddle River NJ, on September 9, 2025, Saddle River, NJ, will reignite a heated debate over affordable housing as public hearings begin for the East Allendale Road plan, previously known as the Rosie O’Donnell estate. Now led by developer Toll Brothers, the revised proposal for 115 E. Allendale Road aims to build 54 townhouses, including eight affordable units, but faces lingering opposition from residents over traffic, safety, and design concerns. Here’s the full story behind this contentious project, its history, and what’s at stake for this affluent Bergen County borough.
“Dear Montvale residents, this is what we are up against and why we are fighting.
Developers, Fair Share Housing, and their lobbyists are forcing massive overdevelopment on our small towns — ignoring our schools, traffic, water, sewer, floodings and infrastructure pressure.
Montvale NJ, Township of West Caldwell in Essex County, joining our affordable housing coalition, Local Leaders For Responsible Planning, and bringing the number of towns to 32 in eight counties, representing over 400,000 residents.
Palisades Park NJ, in a recent decision, a judge ordered the Borough of Palisades Park to create a “comprehensive fair-share housing plan” and a revised land-use ordinance within 90 days. This decision comes after six “builder’s remedy” lawsuits filed by developers who sought to increase affordable housing options in the area. Judge Christine Farrington ruled that the borough’s current zoning ordinance does not adequately support the development of affordable housing, mandating that the borough take swift action.
Montvale NJ, Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali has voiced strong opposition to New Jersey’s newly announced affordable housing requirements. Released by the state’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the mandates task Montvale with developing 348 affordable housing units over the next decade. When factoring in 20% inclusionary zoning, that number could soar to 1,740 units, a prospect Ghassali describes as “excessive and burdensome.” He argues these figures threaten to overwhelm the borough’s resources and has filed for a legal stay, intending to temporarily halt enforcement while pursuing a lawsuit.
Montvale NJ ,a bipartisan group and growing list of New Jersey mayors, led by Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali, has filed a lawsuit against the recently enacted housing law, P.L. 2024, c. 2. This action, brought by the Local Leaders for Responsible Planning (LLRP) coalition, challenges the new housing mandates and aims to protect local communities’ right to manage their growth responsibly.
Parsippany-Troy Hills which was named as one of the best places to live in America and the Garden State, has now approved the resolution to join the coalition. This lawsuit was the only way that we could get officials in Trenton to pay attention to the issues and concerns that we and our residents have about this brand-new process that was imposed upon us. This lawsuit is not about delaying or obstructing affordable housing, it is about advocating for a coherent, statewide strategy for building affordable housing that reflects modern development patterns and allows for responsible local planning without the fear of developers leveraging every large parcel in town for high density housing.
Montvale NJ, according to Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali , “We will be filing our lawsuit, with a coalition of towns that also listen to their residents, very shortly to bring fairness to the affordable housing process. Once we file, we have only 30 days to include any other town interested in joining. Mayors and elected officials, contact me directly if you are interested at mghassali@montvaleboro.org”
Montvale NJ, Fair Share Housing in New Jersey refers to the legal and policy framework that ensures municipalities provide their fair share of affordable housing. This concept emerged from the landmark Mount Laurel decisions by the New Jersey Supreme Court, which ruled that municipalities have a constitutional obligation to provide affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents.
Ridgewood NJ, as New Jersey becomes progressively hotter, the Murphy Administration released a groundbreaking plan that sets specific actions to be taken by agencies across state government to protect the health and welfare of residents from the impacts of extreme heat caused by a changing climate.
In Hackensack, NJ, a proposal for a large apartment building at the corner of Anderson and Linden streets has been halted following significant community opposition. The city Planning Board recently denied an application for a six-story, 345-unit apartment building with retail space on the first floor at 123 Anderson Street.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood moves forward with The Green Amendment, a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would give all New Jersey citizens the basic environmental rights to clear air, clean water, a stable climate and a healthy environment. Exclusion if you live in the Schedler neighborhood. Not to mention Ridgewood Water. @everyone Please listen to this and help the Friends of the Schedler Neighborhood
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