Bridgewater Lowers Affordable Housing Obligation To 421 Units

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Township was successfully able to lower its required New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) fourth-round affordable housing obligation from 474 units to 421 units.

"That is an 11.2 percent decrease of our number," said Bridgewater Township Affordable Housing Planner Darleen Green.

On June 25, the Township Planning Board approved a resolution adopting its 2025 Housing Element and Fair Share Plan to meet its obligation.

The initial 474 unit number was based on the state's land capacity analysis, which identified land as vacant and developable. Those properties the state identified included the median of Route 22; front, side, and rear yards that had woods on existing houses of worship; and the Township recreation and open space inventory, said Green.

Green said the Township rebutted this, went to court, and the number was adjusted downward.

"What Bridgewater has accomplished is remarkable," said Mayor Matthew Moench in a statement. "We’ve met a challenging state requirement not by radically transforming our town or overdeveloping, but through years of foresight, strong local planning, and advocacy. This plan protects our quality of life and keeps our community intact."

The adopted plan outlining how Bridgewater will meet the 421-unit requirement includes:

• 158 existing units retained through the deliberate renewal of expiring affordability controls
• 42 carryover units from the previous affordable housing cycle
• 15 special needs units previously uncounted but now identified
• 48 bonus-eligible units from smaller, targeted projects serving vulnerable populations, and
• 175.5 new units through set-aside agreements in three already upcoming developments, with affordable percentages ranging from 20 to 25 percent

This totals 438.5 units, slightly exceeding the mandate and creating a buffer.

In order to build the affordable housing units, a total of 629 units will be built. Township Administrator Michael Pappas noted that this is lower than the original 2,105 proposed.

"That is a very, very significant accomplishment," said Pappas.

The Planning Board is obligated to adopt the plan by June 30. The Planning Board’s adoption confirms Bridgewater’s compliance with the state mandate as articulated by the DCA.

Board member James Magura said he was very pleased with the report; however, he also noted the Township has "a club to our head" in regards to mandate.

Magura shared his concerns for the future when the fifth round of mandates comes forward.

"I would hate to be a member of the planning board in 2035 when the fifth pass comes through because we’re running out of property in Bridgewater," said Magura.

Councilman and Planning Board Liaison Michael Kirsh said that while he supports the plan, he does not believe that this should be necessary for Bridgewater.

"It should not be necessary because Bridgewater already is a socioeconomically diverse community. You can buy homes in this community for a few hundred thousand dollars. You can rent apartments at a relatively affordable rate. You can also buy multi-million dollar homes and everything in between," said Kirsh at the meeting.

"We already have, by design and just the natural evolution, we already have diverse housing options. We are not an exclusive community. If you want to live here, you can buy or rent a place right now. We do not need more regulation and less self-control. We have already taken the steps necessary to build a community that we can all be proud to live in," continued Kirsh.

See below to view the full 2025 Housing Element and Fair Share Plan or visit bridgewaternj.gov:

Bridgewater Township Fourth Round HEFSP Draft PB Hearing by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd

To see the full affordable housing presentation, visit youtu.be/r5G8yihtqeM?si=S35fUsceFLobBbdj or see below:

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