Protect Local Planning:  Amend YIGBY 

New Jersey Senate Bill 1836, the “Yes in God’s Backyard Act,” would create a pathway for inclusionary housing on qualifying property owned by tax-exempt religious and nonprofit organizations. Friends of Mendham (FOM), a community-led advocacy group, supports the goal of affordable housing and recognizes that religious and nonprofit organizations can be valuable housing partners. But development must still fit the land, infrastructure, and community it will affect.

Under the current bill, qualifying developments would become permitted uses without a use variance. Municipalities generally would be required to approve densities of 40, 60, or 80 units per acre, along with state-set height and parking allowances that could override local zoning.

The bill contains some protections. An eligible property must be connected to or within the service area of both a public water system and a public sewer system. It cannot be within specified environmentally protected areas, including wetlands and designated wetland buffers, flood hazard areas, Category One stream buffers, the Highlands Preservation Area, the Pinelands Preservation Area, preserved farmland, deed-restricted open space, and certain undeveloped contiguous forests.

Religious or nonprofit ownership does not automatically make land suitable for high-density development. Every project should be evaluated for water and sewer capacity, stormwater, traffic, schools, emergency services, environmental resources, historic assets, and cumulative development impacts.

We urge lawmakers to amend S1836 to:

• Protect both the Highlands Planning and Preservation Areas;
• Require evidence that infrastructure and public services can support the development;
• Consider cumulative impacts from nearby projects;
• Preserve meaningful public notice, hearings, and municipal review; and
• Match density and height to each property’s actual constraints and capacity.

Affordable housing and responsible planning should work together. New Jersey can expand housing opportunities while protecting public safety, environmental resources, historic assets, and the integrity of local and regional planning.

Sign this petition to urge lawmakers to amend S1836 before it advances.