West Windsor Takes Next Step Toward Meeting Affordable Housing Obligations

On June 25, 2025, West Windsor Township reached a significant milestone in meeting New Jersey’s constitutional requirement to provide affordable housing.  The Planning Board formally adopted the Township’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan (HE&FSP), and the Township Council passed a resolution endorsing it.

This plan addresses West Windsor’s affordable housing obligations for the state’s fourth round of housing planning, covering the years 2025 to 2035. It includes a total of 900+ new housing units across six sites, including 238 affordable units for low- and moderate-income households. All of these sites are in the western portion of the Township and were identified through a detailed planning process led by the administration and professional staff, supported by Burgis Associates.

This step is not just procedural. It carries legal and financial weight. Under New Jersey’s newly reformed affordable housing law, adopted in 2024, municipalities must submit updated housing plans to maintain protection from “builder’s remedy” lawsuits. These lawsuits, which have shaped much of New Jersey’s housing landscape in prior decades, allow developers to override local zoning if a municipality is not meeting its housing obligations. By complying with the state’s new deadlines and submitting this plan on time, West Windsor secures immunity from such litigation.

Creating the plan was the responsibility of the executive branch of our local government, under the direction of the Mayor. As Councilmembers, our role is to review and endorse the plan to ensure legal compliance and protect the Township from unnecessary risks. We received a detailed briefing in May and were able to ask questions and seek clarification prior to this week’s formal vote.

It’s important to understand that adopting and endorsing this plan is just the beginning of a much longer process. Each of the six proposed sites will still need to undergo the Township’s established site plan and permitting process. That includes public hearings before the Planning Board, opportunities for community input, and rigorous oversight by professional staff.

I remain committed to ensuring that each step forward is taken with transparency, accountability, and thoughtful consideration for our community’s values and needs. The goal is not just to meet a legal requirement, but to ensure West Windsor grows in a way that reflects our shared commitment to fairness, inclusion, and smart planning.

As always, I welcome questions, feedback, and engagement from residents as we move through the next stages of this process.

The detailed Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, and resolution, can be found here.