Ramsey Residents Push Back as Borough Moves Forward With New Affordable Housing Zones

As Ramsey authorities prepare to meet state-mandated housing needs, people are reacting strongly to a new affordable housing proposal.

This week, the Ramsey Council introduced two ordinances to create housing overlay zones in particular areas. Multifamily constructions, townhouses, and garden apartments would be allowed in the zones. The plan required at least 20% of permitted developments to be affordable housing.

Island Road, encompassing Ferguson Place and North Franklin Turnpike, between Madison Avenue and Lake Street would be overlayed. Burgis Associates, the borough’s planning consultant, recommended these places along transit corridors to meet state affordable housing development guidelines.

However, many people worry about how the proposal may change their neighborhoods.

About a dozen letters opposed the ordinances before the council meeting. Over a dozen residents opposed the idea during public comment. Several complained about poor communication and why other neighborhoods weren’t considered.

Mayor Deirdre Dillon began the meeting by detailing the legal process for enacting ordinances and the borough’s New Jersey affordable housing duties. She said there has been a lot of misinformation about the proposal and the borough’s standards.

Ramsey was initially given 450 units under the state’s fourth-round affordable housing responsibilities for ten years. Since the borough is fully developed, an adjustment cut that number significantly. Over the following decade, Ramsey must provide 26 affordable housing units.

Borough officials say three projects have covered the 26 units. Six Island Road special needs residences, 40 North Franklin Turnpike, and 1 Constantine Drive are proposed. The mayor stressed that the borough must not build more units in the Island Road overlay zone to meet state standards.

She also stated that the borough will not seize private property. Ramsey is not seeking eminent domain, and any development would depend on if property owners sell to a developer, officials said. She stated that the borough does not control that decision.

Despite those promises, homeowners worried that the overlay zone would boost developer pressure to buy homes. Many speakers described Island Road and Ferguson Place as close-knit neighborhoods with modest homes on one-third-acre lots. Rezoning could change the area, increase traffic, and lower property prices.

One homeowner noted that the community already had organic variety that meets affordable housing laws. Others doubted if long-established single-family communities were rezoned after exploring lower-impact alternatives.

The council will decide on the overlay ordinances during its March 4, 2026 meeting. That vote before a crucial state deadline. By March 15, 2026, all New Jersey municipalities must submit affordable housing plans to the state. Failure to comply risks “builder’s remedy” lawsuits against towns.

A successful builder’s remedy lawsuit may allow a developer to build dwellings in non-multifamily zones. A municipality’s capacity to shape development is greatly limited by overriding local zoning regulations on density, height, setbacks, and parking.

Borough officials say proactive overlay zones allow Ramsey more control over where and how housing projects are built. Residents are divided, with many wanting more transparency and evaluation before a decision.

Ramsey’s dispute highlights a bigger challenge facing New Jersey towns: how to balance state housing rules with municipal concerns about expansion, infrastructure, and neighborhood identity as March deadlines near. Ramsey will balance legal requirements with community input based on the council vote.