1359 2026 Revised AHO Passed Ad

The Borough of Mountainside, Union County, New Jersey, has enacted Ordinance 1359-2026, which amends existing land development regulations and repeals Ordinance 1352-2026 to comprehensively address the Borough’s Fourth Round Affordable Housing Obligations. This includes the establishment of a new Inclusionary Zone District, L-1/AH2, and a town-wide mandatory set-aside requirement designed to facilitate the creation of fair share affordable housing units. The ordinance outlines detailed regulations consistent with the amended New Jersey Fair Housing Act (P.L. 2024, Chapter 2) and associated administrative codes (N.J.A.C. 5:99 et seq., N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1 et seq.), covering various aspects such as new construction standards, a rehabilitation program for deficient housing units, and inclusionary zoning provisions. Key components include presumptive minimum densities (e.g., 12 units per acre for L-I/AH2 zone) and presumptive maximum affordable housing set-asides (20% of total units), along with specific design, utility, bedroom distribution, and accessibility requirements for affordable housing developments. This document, being a municipal ordinance, does not solicit proposals for contractors, nor does it specify any contractor qualifications, licensing requirements, experience levels, or mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits typically found in procurement solicitations. Instead, it defines the roles and responsibilities of a Municipal Housing Liaison (MHL) and Administrative Agents who will oversee and administer the affordable housing program, including affirmative marketing, household certification, affordability controls, and record retention. While these roles are critical for the program's success, they relate to program administration rather than specific contractor selection. As a legislative act, this ordinance does not include submission instructions, a specific bid deadline, or requirements for bid security or performance bonds. The ordinance was passed and adopted on August 18, 2026, and took effect upon its passage and publication. It outlines an enforcement framework for non-compliance with the affordable housing regulations, including potential fines and other legal remedies against owners, developers, or tenants, which serves to ensure adherence to the established affordable housing policies within the Borough of Mountainside.