Somerville council OKs affordable housing zones despite opposition

Source: mycentraljersey.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Somerville Borough Council in Somerset County, New Jersey, adopted three zoning ordinances creating overlay zones for affordable housing on specific sites: Mountain Avenue (Block 153, Lot 4.22), Bell Avenue (Block 127, Lot 4), and the historic Granetz Building on West Main Street near Doughty Avenue.[[2]](https://www.somervillenj.org/proposed-ordinance-2796-26-0406-creating-an-affordable-housing-overlay-zone-on-mountain-avenue)[[3]](https://www.somervillenj.org/proposed-ordinance-2797-26-0406-creating-an-affordable-housing-overlay-zone-on-bell-avenue)[[1]](https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/somerset-county/2026/04/22/somerville-affordable-housing-zoning-ordinances/89716920007) The action followed public hearings, with residents voicing concerns over traffic, flooding, and other issues.[[1]](https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/somerset-county/2026/04/22/somerville-affordable-housing-zoning-ordinances/89716920007) This is reported now as the council met April 20 to finalize the ordinances introduced April 6, meeting state deadlines under New Jersey's Mount Laurel doctrine for fair share housing plans.[[4]](https://www.somervillenj.org/)

Key points

Details and context

The ordinances stem from Somerville's updated HEFSP, revised February 2026 after mediation with Fair Share Housing Center, to meet prior (1987-1999), rehabilitation, and prospective needs using 2023 census data.[[6]](https://storage.googleapis.com/proudcity/somervillenj/2026/02/f941e4c4-revised-housing-element-fair-share-plan-dated-2-11-26-compressed.pdf)[[7]](https://www.somervillenj.org/public-hearing-amended-housing-element-and-fair-share-plan-february-25-2026) Sites were identified as suitable vacant or underused land, avoiding exclusive 100% affordable zones unlike some neighbors.

New Jersey law requires zoning changes for low/moderate-income housing by deadlines like March 2026; non-compliance risks builder's remedies lawsuits.[[8]](https://www.facebook.com/mayorcilento/videos/this-weeks-edition-of-tuesday-talks-with-the-mayor/919653147377154) Somerville's plan credits existing units and seeks age-restricted or inclusionary options.

Public hearings occurred before April 20 vote at Somerville Civic Center; earlier planning board endorsed sites in February.[[5]](https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/development/2026/02/27/somerville-advances-affordable-housing-plan/88881068007)

Key quotes

None reliably sourced from article or matching coverage.

Why it matters

Somerville's move advances New Jersey's statewide push for thousands of affordable units under Mount Laurel, balancing local land limits with regional needs in Somerset County.[[6]](https://storage.googleapis.com/proudcity/somervillenj/2026/02/f941e4c4-revised-housing-element-fair-share-plan-dated-2-11-26-compressed.pdf) Residents face potential neighborhood changes like added traffic or density, while low/moderate-income households gain zoned opportunities for rentals or ownership. Watch for developer applications, site plan approvals, or legal challenges, as zoning enables but does not assure building.[[1]](https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/somerset-county/2026/04/22/somerville-affordable-housing-zoning-ordinances/89716920007)

What changed

Before, sites lacked specific affordable housing overlay zoning under Chapter 102. Now, three ordinances add AHO zones with development regs for Mountain Ave, Bell Ave, Granetz Building, allowing units at densities like six per acre. Change took effect via council vote on April 20, 2026.[[1]](https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/somerset-county/2026/04/22/somerville-affordable-housing-zoning-ordinances/89716920007)

FAQ

Q: What sites got new affordable housing zoning in Somerville?

A: Mountain Avenue (Block 153, Lot 4.22, five-acre site), Bell Avenue (Block 127, Lot 4, 2.6 acres), and Granetz Building on West Main Street near Doughty Avenue. These overlays amend zoning for fair share compliance.[[2]](https://www.somervillenj.org/proposed-ordinance-2796-26-0406-creating-an-affordable-housing-overlay-zone-on-mountain-avenue)[[3]](https://www.somervillenj.org/proposed-ordinance-2797-26-0406-creating-an-affordable-housing-overlay-zone-on-bell-avenue)

Q: When did Somerville council approve the ordinances?

A: Introduced April 6, 2026; final adoption after public hearing on April 20, 2026, at Civic Center. This followed planning board endorsements.[[1]](https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/somerset-county/2026/04/22/somerville-affordable-housing-zoning-ordinances/89716920007)

Q: What density is allowed on the Mountain Avenue site?

A: Maximum six dwelling units per acre on the five-acre property, though less than four acres developable. Part of broader fair share plan.[[1]](https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/somerset-county/2026/04/22/somerville-affordable-housing-zoning-ordinances/89716920007)

Q: Why did residents oppose the zoning changes?

A: Concerns included traffic, flooding, school overcrowding, and other neighborhood impacts, raised at council meetings per county records.[[1]](https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/somerset-county/2026/04/22/somerville-affordable-housing-zoning-ordinances/89716920007)