Montgomery Scales Back New Building in Affordable Housing Plan After Pike Run Agreement

Nicholas Mistretta

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The Township Committee announced a major shift in its affordable housing strategy at the Oct. 16 meeting: an agreement with the owner of Pike Run will extend affordability controls on existing apartments, reducing the need for new construction and removing the Kenvue site from the current plan.

Township leaders said their goal from the start of this “Round 4” planning effort has been clear: keep as many existing affordable homes affordable by extending deed restrictions, rather than adding more new development than necessary. The Pike Run deal does just that—preserving units already in town and easing pressure to build elsewhere.

What changes now

• Kenvue site removed: Because the Pike Run extension supplies needed credits, the Kenvue property will no longer be included in the township’s affordable housing plan.
• Plan amendment ahead: The township will start the formal amendment process to update its Housing Plan. That includes court mediation and a Planning Board hearing. The date for that hearing will be announced at a future Township Committee meeting and shared via the e-bulletin and township website.

Timeline residents should know

• By Dec. 31, 2025: The court must either approve the township’s plan (as amended), require changes, or revoke the township’s immunity from builder’s remedy lawsuits.
• Before the Planning Board hearing: The township will hold a public town hall to walk residents through the changes and gather feedback.
• By March 31, 2026: The Planning Board must hold a public hearing and decide on the amended plan; the Township Committee must then adopt any required ordinances.

A plan shaped by residents
Committee members emphasized that the change reflects what they’ve been hearing from the public: preserve what we have before building more. They thanked residents who emailed, spoke at meetings, and weighed in throughout the process, saying community feedback “remains at the forefront of every decision.”

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com