Cranford Introduces Affordable Housing Measures: See What Was Approved

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford leaders have moved along procedures to further comply with the affordable housing requirement set forth by the State of New Jersey.

The Township Committee unanimously approved the introduction of three new ordinances and one resolution by consent agenda on Tuesday night.

Ordinance 2026-06 and Ordinance 2026-07 are formal model ordinances to comply with Round Four Affordable Housing set forth by the Fair Housing Act.

Ordinance 2026-08 is an amendment to the Township Committee code to expand two overlay districts to meet the State's affordable housing requirements. These include the "Downtown Transition Overlay" and the "Park Street Overlay."

The three new ordinances codify the agreement that the Township came to with Fair Share Housing Center, which has been preliminarily approved in court.

Cranford has until March 15 to adopt all documents outlined in the mediation agreement, including a Development Fee Ordinance.

Resolution 2026-118 approves the intent to bond should there be a lack in funding to activate certain Affordable Housing plans in Cranford's Housing Element and Fair Share Plan.

This brings the Township into compliance with the new Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

"This is just about potential," Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty said on Tuesday of "This does not mean there is a project ready to go."

The Township will now go back in front of the courts in March or April to show that the municipality is in compliance with the outset requirements, Attorney Thomas J. Slattery said.

The Cranford Planning Board will hold a public hearing to discuss the plan on Feb. 25.

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