Stay on mandates gets Superior Court hearing Dec. 3

Affordable housing
Affordable housing illustration

MONTVALE—That escalated quickly: Montvale Mayor Michel Ghassali and the Local Leaders for Responsible Planning (LLRP) municipal coalition say they’re encouraged by the recent decision of the Superior Court of New Jersey to schedule a Dec. 3 hearing on LLRP’s request for an emergency stay that would block the Fourth Round Affordable Housing Law (P.L. 2024, c. 2) from taking effect. 

The coalition argues that the new affordable housing law places unrealistic and inequitable demands on suburban and rural communities, which would shoulder excessive financial and zoning burdens.

In a statement shared with Pascack Press on Oct. 30, LLRP said “The hearing affirms the court’s recognition of the substantial concerns raised by LLRP, countering any notion that this action is frivolous. LLRP’s request is founded on the assertion that the law’s formula, which uses outdated urban aid exemptions, unfairly shifts the housing obligations from urban to suburban municipalities.”

Ghassali said, “The court’s decision to hear our case demonstrates that this is a serious issue impacting local governments across New Jersey. We are simply asking for equitable treatment and a system that reflects today’s realities rather than relying on outdated formulas that fail to account for the unique needs of each community.”

Ghassali and the LLRP coalition encourage other New Jersey municipalities to stand with them as they fight. “We’re committed to responsible planning that respects the rights of local communities and creates sustainable, achievable solutions for New Jersey’s housing needs,” Ghassali added.

LLRP, led by Ghassali, a Republican and a former candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Legislative District 5, is a coalition “dedicated to advocating for fair, responsible, and constitutionally sound planning policies that respect local autonomy. Represented by Michael L. Collins, Esq. of King, Moench & Collins LLP, LLRP is taking a stand against mandates that undermine municipal authority and create untenable financial obligations.

The members have filed the litigation under Borough of Montvale v. State of New Jersey, Superior Court of New Jersey, Docket No. MER-L-1778-24. The municipalities are represented by Michael L. Collins, Esq. of King, Moench & Collins LLP.

The coalition is composed of Borough of Montvale, Township of Denville, Borough of Florham Park, Borough of Hillsdale, Township of Mannington, Township of Millburn, Township of Montville, Borough of Old Tappan, Borough of Totowa, Borough of Allendale, Borough of Westwood, Township of Hanover, Township of Wyckoff, Borough of Wharton, Borough of Mendham, Borough of Oradell, Borough of Closter, Township of West Amwell, Township of Washington, Borough of Norwood, Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, and Borough of Franklin Lakes.