Jackson Following a lawsuit accusing former Township Council members of antisemitism, new land use regulations were mandated, and town officials are currently reviewing them.
The governing body is now reviewing the master plan and affordable housing plan that the Planning Board members recently accepted, which led to the creation of multiple ordinances.
“The Master Plan and Affordable Housing plan reflect the many changes occurring here in Jackson, as the DOJ (Department of Justice) consent order has shaped it in many corridors and neighborhoods,” Mayor Michael Reina told The Jackson Times.
There were a lot of murky areas, which led to zoning concerns, problems, and regrettably, some lawsuits. According to what I’ve read, it appears to be sound, addresses any ambiguities, and should strengthen rules that everyone can follow and that will be properly enforced if necessary, the mayor continued.
Jackson was sued by the U.S. DOJ, which claimed that officials used their zoning and land use authority to discriminate against Orthodox Jewish citizens, making it more difficult for them to follow their faith.
The town was compelled to abolish previous legislation that discriminated against Orthodox Jewish inhabitants and implement new rules and procedures that preserve religious freedom as part of the 2023 settlement, which was commemorated by a consent decree. Additionally, Jackson’s adherence to the NJ Law Against Discrimination must be continuously monitored.
The master plan serves as a guide for the town’s expansion. It includes suggestions for a new housing plan that asks for the construction of 1,000 apartments across 17 distinct locations.
Land use, transportation, utilities, housing, historic preservation, climate change vulnerability, open space, and recreation areas are the main topics of the master plan’s recommendations.
Before ordinances that address these issues are introduced, they are typically discussed and debated in front of the members of the governing body over the course of multiple council meetings.
Jennifer Kuhn, the president of the council, stated that the master plan team spent eighteen months working on it and that it contained objectives for smart growth and recreation improvement. We just got it; none of us really read it. We have two weeks to do our due diligence and ask our planning board any questions we may have.
Three ordinances, 2025-29, 2025-30, and 2025-31, were introduced in relation to this. They call for amending land use and development regulations as well as regulations pertaining to the RG3-Regional Growth Zone in order to create an inclusionary zone district that would allow for the development of affordable housing units. Certain requirements and conditions would apply to these units.
Kuhn went on to say that the goal of the affordable housing plan was to build reasonably priced housing for those with low and moderate incomes in an appropriate area.
She stated that the Jackson tax map would contain a table illustrating this zone. Additionally, all affordable housing standards pertaining to unit sizes, parking, signs, trash, and loading would be covered by the ordinances.
Three days before the meeting, according to Councilman Nino Borrelli, he got the three laws. In order to visit the parts of town that may be impacted by this in the future, I need time to process and assess them. I believe we are spot zoning because of these significant ordinances.
“These are significant zoning changes that could alter Jackson’s suburban character and put a significant strain on our taxes, township services, and infrastructure,” Borrelli continued. “I want to hear from residents.” The audience erupted in cheers as he spoke.
“I don’t know enough to make an informed decision,” he said when he voted against all three ordinances. At practically every council meeting, we discuss our town’s traffic and how we handle it. Why are these ordinances being added to it? With all that’s going on right now, we can hardly keep up.
The ordinances, which will be subject to a public hearing at the Council’s August 26 meeting, were approved by the remaining council members.
I’m going to vote yes because I think we need to do this or else we’ll run into problems,” Kuhn stated.
According to Councilman Giuseppe Palmeri, the state forced us to find cheap housing. Over the next ten years, we must construct these. The municipality was overruled by them.
According to Council Vice President Mordechai Burnstein, he served on the Planning Board, which held several hearings during which locals had numerous chances to voice their opinions.
Miss Lisa DeMarzo and Dr. Michelle Campbell, our planning board chairwoman, truly poured their hearts and souls into these ordinances and this master plan. After difficult talks with the state, Mayor Reina did sign the affordable housing proposal. According to Burnstein, he received less necessary housing units than Jackson has ever received in history.
According to Burnstein, the ordinances contain historic requirements and conditions, such as requiring that each development have multiple entrances so that emergency equipment can safely enter those areas, requiring that 10% of a development be open space, and requiring that there be enough parking within the developments.
