Hanover Township Adopts Nine Housing Ordinances Hours Before State Deadline

Other Committee · Meeting of March 12, 2026

Hanover Township adopted nine affordable housing ordinances Thursday to meet a March 16 state deadline under New Jersey's 2024 Fair Share housing law overhaul. Mayor Gallagher and Committeemen Cahill, Farrah Mosca, and Francioli voted unanimously on all measures, with Committeeman Michalco excused. Affordable housing consultant Fred Samarow told the committee that the state's original mandate would have required zoning for up to 2,800 new units; through negotiations, credits, and a vacant land adjustment, the township's actual new-construction obligation was reduced to approximately 220 total units — roughly 105 affordable — across two sites.

"It's a great accomplishment," Samarow said. "You're coming in with less than 200 units in a township that's had so much development pressure." The township also introduced a $33,813,754 current fund budget for 2026, with a public hearing and final adoption set for April 9. A final court certification hearing, expected no earlier than May, would lock in the township's immunity from builder remedy suits through June 2035.

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Source: the Other Committee meeting of March 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.