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The Data Center vs. Affordable Housing War: Why a NJ Court Now Holds Montvale’s Fate

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NJ Town Fights to Keep Data Center Plans Alive in Landmark Housing Case

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Montvale NJ, In a high-stakes standoff that could redefine suburban development, the Borough of Montvale is heading to court. At the heart of the battle? A 34-acre prime piece of real estate and a looming state deadline that has local officials and housing advocates at a breaking point.

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Teaneck Housing Crisis: Council “Rolls the Dice” as Crucial State Deadline Looms on “Affordable Housing”

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Teaneck Housing Standoff: Council Risks “Builder’s Remedy” Lawsuits by Missing State Deadline

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TEANECK, NJ — The Teaneck Township Council is walking a legal tightrope after a controversial 4-2 vote to table a major “affordable housing” redevelopment ordinance. The decision, made during the February 24 meeting, directly defies warnings from the Township Counsel and puts Teaneck at risk of missing a March 15 statewide deadline.

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Is Trenton Destroying Your Town? Mayor Mike Ghassali and 36 NJ Towns Rise Up Against “Fair Share” Mandates

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Does Fair Share Housing Targets Suburbs for Destruction ?

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Montvale NJ, a grassroots rebellion is sweeping across New Jersey. What started as a personal outreach by Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali has exploded into a powerful coalition of 36 municipalities—crossing party lines and county borders—to challenge the state’s current affordable housing policies.

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NJ Housing Crisis: Gov. Sherrill’s New Blueprint Double Down on Failure 

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The Mount Laurel Doctrine 2.0: What Gov. Sherrill’s Housing Report Means for Your Town

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — New Jersey is at a housing crossroads, and Governor Sherrill’s administration is moving fast. Following the release of a landmark transition team report, the state has a new roadmap to tackle record-high housing costs through bold zoning reforms and the “Mount Laurel” fair housing framework.

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Is Your Neighborhood Changing? Ramsey Proposes Major New Housing Zone on Island Road

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Ramsey’s New Housing Strategy: What You Need to Know About the Island Road Proposal

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ramsey NJ, changes are coming to Ramsey’s residential landscape. The borough has officially introduced a proposal for a new affordable housing overlay zone on Island Road, a move that could pave the way for up to 350 new residential units.

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Urbanization: NJ Towns Lose Federal Appeal in Battle Over Affordable Housing Deadline

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Will Justice Alito Stop the March Deadline?

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Montvale NJ, the high-stakes legal war over New Jersey’s Fourth Round affordable housing mandates has reached a fever pitch. On January 30, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dealt a major blow to a coalition of 29 New Jersey towns, denying an emergency request to delay the looming March 15 deadline.

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The Truth About “Fair Share”: How NJ State Law is Overriding Local Zoning Boards

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The “Urbanization” of Suburbia: Why NJ Towns are Being Forced into High-Density Zoning

photos courtesy of Bruce Paterson

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Union NJ, If you’ve driven through Union, New Jersey, lately—specifically near Bonnell Court—you might have done a double-take. What was a traditional downtown street in 2017 has, by 2024, transformed into a wall of high-density housing that looks more like Jersey City than a quiet suburb.

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New Jersey Suburbs Facing Extinction

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NJ “Affordable Housing” War: 2026 Starts with a “Sea Change” and a Federal Courtroom Showdown

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Montvale NJ, The residential building boom transforming New Jersey’s landscape isn’t slowing down. As we enter 2026, many Garden State municipalities are waking up to a new reality after a frantic end to 2025. While hundreds of towns have officially “bought in” to the state’s affordable housing mandates, a defiant coalition of suburban leaders is taking their fight all the way to federal court.

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NJ’s Future: Gov.-Elect Mikie Sherrill Signals Major Push for Urbanization and Affordable Housing

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Sherrill Doubles Down on Development: New Gov.-Elect Taps Top Housing Expert, Signaling Massive Shift in NJ’s Urbanization Strategy

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill is wasting no time in signaling her administration’s core focus: tackling New Jersey’s acute affordability and housing crisis. In a move that clearly emphasizes an intent to address development and housing access, Sherrill announced the appointment of Adam Gordon, Executive Director of the Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC), to her Transition Team.

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Update: What’s Next for Saddle River’s Other Controversial “Affordable Housing” Sites?

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Failure to show tangible progress on these key sites by the December 31st deadline could lead to the Fair Share Housing Center asking the courts to revoke Saddle River’s immunity, exposing the borough to the risk of “builder’s remedy” lawsuits and court-ordered high-density development

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Saddle River NJ, the recent approval of the AvalonBay Communities development marks a significant, albeit legally contentious, step for Saddle River in meeting its state-mandated “affordable housing” obligations.

Continue reading Update: What’s Next for Saddle River’s Other Controversial “Affordable Housing” Sites?

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Showdown in Bergen County: Franklin Lakes Faces December Deadline to Settle Affordable Housing Dispute or Risk Builder’s Remedy Lawsuits!

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Zero Affordable Homes?! Franklin Lakes Slammed by Fair Housing Group Over Lowball Quota—A Decisive Legal Battle is Brewing

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Franklin Lakes NJ, Franklin Lakes, a high-income borough in Bergen County, is in a high-stakes negotiation battle to avoid losing its immunity against devastating builder’s remedy lawsuits.

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Zoning Wars: NJ Bill Sparks Clash Over “Affordable Housing”, Church Land, and ‘Overdevelopment’ Fears

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NJ Bill S4736: Nonprofit Zoning Override Sparks Local Outcry, Developers look to Cash in

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey is grappling with an undeniable housing crisis, marked by soaring prices and a severe shortage of available units. In an attempt to rapidly increase supply, the State Legislature is pushing a controversial bill, S4736, through its current lame-duck session.

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NJ “Affordable Housing” Court Ruling: Municipalities Gain Partial Relief But Mandate Stands

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, the Local Leaders for Responsible Planning (“LLRP”) won a Superior Court order that effectively invalidates illegal provisions contained in the Affordable Housing Directive issued by retired Administrative Director of the Courts Glenn A. Grant and requires the Administrative Office to the Courts to issue corrective guidance.
“Today’s ruling confirms why a court director should not be dictating affordable housing rules to each of our communities and that we need a better system in New Jersey,” said Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali, leader of LLRP.

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Franklin Lakes Moves Forward on “Affordable Housing” and Rezoning Efforts

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Franklin Lakes NJ, the borough of Franklin Lakes is making significant strides in its affordable housing plans, responding to the state’s fourth-round quotas while navigating legal challenges and rezoning efforts.

Affordable Housing Quota Challenge and Legal Actions

As of January 31, Franklin Lakes submitted its response to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) regarding the 497-unit affordable housing quota assigned to the borough in October 2023. Borough officials disputed the figure, arguing that 463 units would be a more accurate requirement.

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Developers Score: Paramus Accepts State Affordable Housing Mandate of 1,000 New “Affordable Housing Units”

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, the borough of Paramus, New Jersey, has officially accepted the state-mandated requirement to add 1,000 new “affordable housing units” over the next decade—the largest obligation of any town in Bergen County. While town officials acknowledge the necessity of meeting state housing laws, they are also seeking ways to reduce this number to 250 units through a study of available land.

Continue reading Developers Score: Paramus Accepts State Affordable Housing Mandate of 1,000 New “Affordable Housing Units”