Affordable housing

Bridgewater's Fourth Round affordable-housing plan

Bridgewater's 2025-2035 obligation is 421 new affordable homes plus a rehabilitation share of 130. The Council adopted the zoning for three new inclusionary sites, 5-0, on March 5, 2026, and on April 15, 2026 the court certified the plan, giving the township protection from builder's-remedy suits through June 30, 2035.

Checked against the primary record on . Every figure on this page is sourced at the foot of the article.

Certified by the court April 15, 2026; sites still need site-plan approval Last moved

What happens next

The rezoned sites (520 Route 22 East, 250 Route 28, 1400 Frontier Road and Cornell Boulevard) each need Planning Board approval at a noticed public hearing. Under the court order, a realistic- opportunity review can be sought as of July 1, 2030 for inclusionary sites without preliminary site plan approval.

Every New Jersey town had to set its affordable-housing obligation for 2025-2035, the “Fourth Round,” and adopt a plan and zoning to meet it. Bridgewater’s case is docket SOM-L-186-25 before Judge William G. Mennen in Somerset County.

The numbers. 421 is the Prospective Need: new affordable homes to plan for. 130 is the Present Need: existing homes to rehabilitate, a separate target. The state’s non-binding estimate was 130 and 474; the Council adopted 130 and 417 in January 2025; after a challenge by the New Jersey Builders Association, the court set 130 and 421 on April 23, 2025.

The plan. The Planning Board adopted the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan on June 25, 2025, and the Council endorsed it on July 10, 2025, 4-1 (Pedroso no). The court’s April 15, 2026 order lists how the 421 is met, 438.5 credits in all: 158 extended affordability controls, 42 surplus credits from the last round, group homes and supportive housing, The Delaney assisted living, the Cornell Boulevard site, and three inclusionary sites: KRE at 520 Route 22 East (28 affordable units), Bridgewater Plaza at 250 Route 28 (31) and 1400 Frontier Road (70 senior units plus a group home).

The zoning. On March 5, 2026 the Council adopted Ordinances #26-01 to #26-04, each 5-0: the affordable housing and development fee ordinance and three zones allowing up to 128 units at KRE, 140 at Bridgewater Plaza and 340 age-restricted units at Frontier Road, after the Planning Board’s consistency review of all four on March 3 (10-0). Township Planner Katherine Sarmad said missing the March 15 deadline could cost the township its protection from builder’s-remedy suits.

Certified. On April 15, 2026 the court granted a Compliance Certification with repose from exclusionary-zoning and builder’s-remedy suits for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2035.

What residents can do. Each rezoned site needs Planning Board approval, with a public hearing. The trust fund’s spending plan, ordinances and court filings are linked in the explainer. See also the Cornell Boulevard site. Corrections can be emailed to info@localwhy.org.

The housing plan, explained

Timeline

Each dated event on this issue, oldest first, linked to the full sourced entry.

  1. Resolved Council commits to a Fourth Round obligation of 130 and 417Resolution 25-01-30-068 committed the township to a Present Need of 130 and a Prospective Need of 417, below the state's non-binding estimate of 474, with all rights reserved. It passed 3-0: Kurdyla, Ring and Norgalis aye; Kirsh and Pedroso absent.
  2. Resolved Court sets Bridgewater's obligation at 130 rehabilitation and 421 new homesAfter the New Jersey Builders Association challenged the township's 417 and mediation did not settle it, Judge William G. Mennen entered an Order and Decision setting a Present Need of 130 and a Prospective Need of 421, as the Program had recommended on April 15, 2025.
  3. Resolved Planning Board adopts the Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share PlanAfter a public hearing, the Planning Board adopted the 2025 Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, which picked four sites for rezoning: 520 Route 22 East (KRE), 250 Route 28 (Bridgewater Plaza), 1400 Frontier Road and Cornell Boulevard.
  4. Resolved Council endorses the housing plan, 4-1Resolution 25-07-10-182 endorsed the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan as adopted by the Planning Board. Kirsh, Kurdyla, Ring and Norgalis voted aye; Pedroso voted nay.
  5. Resolved Council creates the AH-3 affordable housing zone at Route 202/206 and Cornell BoulevardOrdinance 25-15, introduced Aug. 7, 2025, created the AH-3 Affordable Housing Zone on Block 406, Lot 2.01, recommended by the township's Fourth Round housing plan. It was repealed and replaced by Ordinance 25-24 in December 2025.
  6. Resolved Council adopts Ordinance 25-24, replacing the AH-3 zone rulesOrdinance 25-24 repealed and replaced the AH-3 zone: up to 11 affordable apartments and 4 units of disabled-veteran housing, with buffering and access standards. It took effect Jan. 6, 2026. The vote was 4-0 (Kirsh, Kurdyla, Ring, Norgalis aye; Pedroso absent) after 17 people spoke.
  7. Resolved Council adopts the Fourth Round zoning, Ordinances #26-01 to #26-04, each 5-0The Council adopted the affordable housing and development fee ordinance and three inclusionary zones: up to 128 units at 520 Route 22 East, 140 at Bridgewater Plaza (250 Route 28) and 340 age-restricted units at 1400 Frontier Road. It also adopted the trust-fund spending plan and manuals, 5-0.
  8. Resolved Court certifies Bridgewater's Fourth Round plan, with repose to 2035Judge William G. Mennen signed a Consent Order Final Compliance Certification, granting the township repose from exclusionary-zoning and builder's-remedy suits from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2035. The order counts 438.5 credits toward the 421 obligation.
  9. Resolved Council approves a $133,000 housing trust-fund grant for a group homeResolution #26-09-03-199 authorized a $133,000 Affordable Housing Trust Fund grant agreement with Midland Adult Services, Inc. for a group home at 305 Raymond Court (Block 444, Lot 19). Bucko, Kirsh and Geiger voted aye; Isla and Ring were absent.
  10. Resolved Ordinance 26-17 on expired affordability controls at Block 520, Lot 17The ordinance authorizes a quitclaim deed releasing affordability controls at Block 520, Lot 17; Administrator Pappas said on Oct. 1 they cover about 16 apartments whose 30-year deed restriction expired in June 2026. Introduced 5-0 on Oct. 1; the township's Oct. 16 legal notice is titled a notice of its adoption, and the township's Resolution #26-10-15-218 records it adopted Oct. 15, 5-0.
  11. Pending Ordinance to buy Block 519, Lot 28 for $65,600 introducedA township notice dated Oct. 16 announces the introduction of Ordinance #26-20, acquisition of Block 519, Lot 28. Its title in the township's file listing describes about 24,785 square feet bought from Darrow B. and Eric Murdock for $65,600 from the township's Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The township's Resolution #26-10-15-220 records the introduction 5-0 and sets the hearing for Nov. 5, 2026.

Explainers

Documents

The township's own records on this issue. Each links to the official copy.

Meetings

  • Township Council — October 15, 2026

    The agenda listed hearings on the Block 520 Lot 17 quitclaim deed and the ordinance ending elected officials' eligibility for township health benefits; the township's resolutions record both adopted, 5-0. Its resolutions also record the introduction, 5-0, of the floodplain ordinance, the $65,600 Block 519 Lot 28 purchase and an amendment to the Greymark redevelopment plan, all set for hearing Nov. 5, and awards for the Country Club Road paving ($793,837.90) and more emergency radio equipment. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

  • Township Council — October 1, 2026

    The Council adopted #26-16, adding snow emergency no-parking streets, and introduced ordinances releasing expired affordability controls on Block 520 Lot 17 and ending elected officials' eligibility for township health benefits, all 5-0, with hearings October 15. The Director of Municipal Services presented the required replacement floodplain ordinance ahead of FEMA's November 13 maps. A Pilot Fiber agreement was tabled.

  • Township Council — September 17, 2026

    The Council awarded the emergency radio equipment contract to Motorola Solutions, up to $2,950,000, and introduced an ordinance adding streets to the snow emergency no-parking list, all 5-0. It also approved a backhoe purchase, The Clubhouse liquor license transfer, the KM Construction final change order and a one-year extension of the police chief's contract. Ring said his ordinance ending elected officials' health benefits was drafted for October 1.

  • Township Council — September 3, 2026

    After an 11-speaker hearing, the three members present (Bucko, Kirsh and Geiger; Isla and Ring absent) adopted data center ordinance #26-15, 3-0. Planner Sarmad said it does not change where data centers are permitted but sets standards for use-variance applications. The Council also approved a $133,000 housing trust fund grant for a group home at 305 Raymond Court. Vosseller Avenue residents asked for permanent speed measures.

  • Township Council — August 6, 2026

    With Isla absent, the Council adopted the fire hydrant snow-clearing ordinance #26-13, 4-0, and introduced the omnibus Master Plan ordinance, 4-0, with its data center language removed for later review. A listed repeal of the 1200 Route 22 redevelopment plan was taken off the agenda. Twelve residents spoke, most on data centers. The police chief reported a Bogart Drive speed study, and Visions and Pathways presented Bridge House.

  • Planning Board — May 19, 2026

    A seven-minute meeting chaired by Ashley Sikora. The Board adopted memorializing resolutions for Wine Outlet Bridgewater's sign variance and for Whitney Drive Urban Renewal LLC's site plan at Whitney Court East, and the Cornell Boulevard housing hearing was adjourned to June 16. No member of the public spoke.

  • Township Council — May 18, 2026

    The Council adopted #26-07 (the Whitney Court affordable housing sale) and #26-08 (one-time six-month temporary parking on Block 222 Lot 3.01), each 4-0 with Isla absent, and approved a developer's agreement for the M&M at Route 206 manufacturing facility. A resident asked the Council to consider an ordinance prohibiting data centers; others raised taxes, lighting and drainage.

  • Township Council — May 7, 2026

    After a public hearing and an amendment, the Council adopted the 2026 municipal budget, 4-0, with Isla absent. It introduced ordinances on the Whitney Court affordable housing sale (#26-07) and temporary dealership parking on Block 222 Lot 3.01 (#26-08), and approved an $89,430 reassessment inspection contract and a lease-purchase of eight vehicles of up to $647,401.53.

  • Township Council — April 9, 2026

    The Council introduced the 2026 municipal budget, 5-0: a Current Fund of $54,903,722.86 and a Sewer Fund of $13,924,398.82, with the municipal rate proposed to rise from 0.2440 to 0.2448. It also introduced the cap-bank and revised multifamily snow ordinances and awarded the $2,946,000 Middle Brook pump station contract. Residents raised speeding on Vosseller Avenue and Allen Road.

  • Planning Board — April 7, 2026

    The agenda listed Wine Outlet Bridgewater's sign variance and Whitney Drive Urban Renewal LLC's site plan with a D variance for Whitney Court East, the township-sold site for supportive housing. The Board's later agendas list both as decided April 7; both memorializing resolutions were adopted May 19, 2026. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

  • Township Council — March 5, 2026

    The Council adopted the four Fourth Round affordable housing ordinances, #26-01 to #26-04, each 5-0, ahead of the March 15 deadline, and the housing trust fund spending plan and manuals. It added $350,000 for snow removal (season total up to $560,000) and tabled a multifamily snow-clearing ordinance. Residents asked about immigration enforcement and an emergency-response cost bill.

  • Planning Board — March 3, 2026

    The Board reviewed the four Fourth Round housing ordinances (#26-01 to #26-04) against the Master Plan and adopted a memorializing resolution, 10-0, and memorialized the Somerset Corporate Center settlement, 10-0. In the continued Cornell Boulevard housing hearing, engineer Michael Fisher described the 1.55-acre site plan; Vice Chair Sikora asked the developer to look at access from the highway frontage. No member of the public spoke. The hearing was carried to a March 31 special meeting.

  • Township Council — February 19, 2026

    The Council introduced four Fourth Round affordable housing ordinances, 5-0, for a March 5 hearing, and approved 5-0 the professional appointments that had failed on February 5. It also named an Acting CFO and approved the Middlebrook pump station engineering contract, the first step toward a grant-funded Garretson Road sidewalk and the County recycling agreement.

  • Township Council — January 8, 2026

    The Council filled Board of Adjustment seats in a series of split votes, adopted a temporary 2026 budget of $21,736,006.64 (amended up from $20,160,000), 5-0, and approved the township's auditor, risk managers, affordable housing agent and liaison posts. Health Commission appointments were tabled after the Mayor raised a point of order.

  • Township Council — December 17, 2025

    In the outgoing Council's last meeting, with Councilman Pedroso absent, the Council adopted Ordinance 25-24, replacing the AH-3 zone at Cornell Boulevard, 4-0, after 17 people spoke at the hearing, and the $4.1 million Middle Brook sewer bond (#25-13), 4-0. It also adopted the BRCC and C-1 zone changes, certified the 2024 audit, approved 2026 employee health insurance, the 2024–2027 police contract and Sarah Housman as Director of Finance, and rejected a special tax counsel agreement, 2-2.

  • Township Council — December 3, 2025

    Meeting a day early by township notice, with Councilman Ring absent, the Council introduced Ordinance 25-24, replacing the AH-3 zone at Cornell Boulevard, 3-1 (Pedroso nay), after a Somerville resident and Council-elect Joan Geiger asked that it wait for the new Council. It adopted the massage, health-fee and towing ordinances (#25-21 and #25-22, 3-1; #25-23, 4-0), held the hearing on the $4.1 million Middle Brook sewer bond and carried its vote to December 17, and introduced the BRCC and C-1 zone ordinances.

  • Township Council — November 6, 2025

    With Councilman Pedroso absent, the Council introduced, 4-0, a $4,100,000 bond ordinance for Phase 2 of the Middle Brook sewer pumping station and ordinances on massage businesses, the towing roster and health fees. It renewed Stavola's 2026 quarry license, awarded a snow-removal contract of up to $60,000 to RJM Landscape and Design, and approved a $642,997.23 paving contract for Plymouth Road, Ryan Way and Jeffrey Lane. The Planner reported medical-office interest at the Somerset Corporate Center.

Sources for this overview

  1. Consent Order Final Compliance Certification, SOM-L-186-25, April 15, 2026
  2. Certification of Alexander G. Fisher, Esq., SOM-L-186-25, March 10, 2026 (implementing ordinances, spending plan)
  3. Resolution 25-07-10-182 endorsing the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, July 10, 2025
  4. Resolution 25-01-30-068 (obligation of 130 / 417), Jan. 30, 2025
  5. Township Council minutes, March 5, 2026 (Ordinances #26-01 to #26-04 adopted)
  6. NJ Courts: Somerset County affordable housing filings
  7. Planning Board minutes, March 3, 2026 (consistency review of #26-01 to #26-04)
All issues The full timeline