RIVER VALE, N.J. (May 8, 2025) — The Township Council has approved a revised fourth-round affordable housing obligation of 179 units, following a mediation session with the New Jersey Builders Association and the state’s Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program.
Business Administrator and CFO Gennaro Rotella confirmed the new figure at the council’s April 28 meeting. The updated number is lower than the 195 units proposed by the state Department of Community Affairs in October 2024 and slightly higher than the 147-unit figure adopted by the council in January to meet a planning deadline.
The fourth-round period runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2035. Efforts to reach Mayor Mark Bromberg for comment were not immediately successful.
Planning Requirements and Adjustments
All municipalities subject to affordable housing obligations—both present-need (rehabilitation) and prospective-need (new construction)—must submit a Housing Element and Fair Share Plan by June 30, 2025. Any legal challenges must be filed by August 31.
River Vale officials previously reduced the initial 195-unit proposal to 147 units by adjusting the Land Capacity Factor. They excluded preserved open space, developed lots, and land listed in the NJDEP’s Recreation and Open Space Inventory (ROSI) as non-developable.
“This adjustment reduced the total housing obligation from 195 units to 147 units,” reads the township’s January resolution.
That resolution also states that the final number remains subject to adjustment based on future court decisions, changes to the Fair Housing Act or state methodology, or other legal or legislative challenges.
Most Pascack Valley towns included similar caveats in ordinances passed to meet the January 31 deadline. (See documents at njcourts.gov.)
Council Approves $5 Million in Bonds
Also on April 28, the Township Council approved over $5 million in bond ordinances:
- $4,132,723 for general municipal improvements, including $3,926,087 in bonds or notes
- $1,017,500 for upgrades to the township-owned River Vale Country Club, including $966,625 in golf course utility bonds
Rotella previously told Pascack Press that golf course utility bonds are funded separately and do not affect taxpayers.
(See related coverage: “Fire truck, fairway and fresh pavement: Council floats $5M bond package,” April 26, 2025)
Library Improvements Coming Soon
The council also approved:
- An $18,400 contract with Watch Us Grow Landscape Design LLC of Northvale for design and landscaping at River Vale Public Library
- A $3,385 contract with Rain Flow Sprinkler Systems for lawn sprinkler installation
Rotella said the landscaping will be completed shortly after irrigation work is finished.
“This will complement all of the patio work done behind the library and give everything a fresh look,” he said.