Garwood planning board urges Borough Council to oppose two state bills limiting local control of accessory units

At its July 12 meeting the Garwood Planning Board voted to recommend that Borough Council oppose two pending New Jersey Senate bills — S1786 and S1836 — that board members said would undercut local zoning authority and complicate the borough’s approach to housing and land-use planning.

The mayor, who led the discussion, said the bills would require permitting of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and impose state mandates that could override local master plans. Board members said small, densely built boroughs like Garwood have limited capacity for additional dwelling units without harming stormwater management, permeable-surface protections and other locally determined objectives.

Councilwoman Biano’s community-development committee circulated sample resolutions and the board asked municipal staff to prepare a memo and a locally drafted resolution to send to Borough Council outlining the planning board’s opposition. During the board vote the motion to recommend opposition was seconded, one member abstained and the motion carried.

Board members stressed they are not opposed to affordable housing generally but objected to what they described as a one-size-fits-all mandate that would restrict local planning choices. The board asked staff to forward the suggested resolution language to council and to coordinate with the mayor’s office on next steps.

Next steps: planning staff will prepare a memo and proposed resolution for Borough Council opposing S1786 and S1836; the board’s recommendation will be transmitted in advance of any legislative action.