Montclair, NJ – Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Beacham earlier today ruled in favor of the Township of Montclair in the Montclair Property Owners Association suit seeking a referendum election to repeal Montclair’s new rent control ordinance. An injunction that has kept the ordinance from going into effect since April 17, 2020 terminates today.
Judge Jeffrey B. Beacham upheld Municipal Clerk Angelese Bermudez Nieves’ determination that the petition and supplementary petition filed by the Montclair Property Owners Association were insufficient, thereby ending efforts to place the rent control ordinance on the ballot.
The ruling will allow the Township to implement the rent control ordinance and establish a comprehensive program of rent regulation.
The Township Council originally approved the ordinance on April 7, 2020.
The Township acknowledges the Montclair’s Tenants Organization [Tenants Organization of Montclair Advocacy Group] and other tenants and landlords who actively supported the Township during the past several months.