The plan to build 163 housing units along South Avenue is now one step further to becoming a reality.

The township committee voted 4-1 last night to give final approval to the project as it meets a deadline set by the lawsuit with the developer, Lehigh Acquisitions Corporation. The town had 90 days to adopt a new redevelopment plan which includes 24 affordable housing units.

Even after more than a year of protesting the development, residents still showed up to last night's meeting to try to convince township committee members to delay the decision until the 90 day deadline.

"We give people time to fully understand the impact on their way of life," said resident Bill Montani.

However township attorney Carl Woodward told residents there's no point in delaying the approval, as a state appellate court has approved the plan and it can't be changed or amended.

Woodward said delaying the process could force the court to get involved again and could result in even more housing units being put in the development.

"The court will try a case and make a reward that you really don't like," Woodward said.

One resident speaking at the podium said she understood that the plan was a done deal but she feared the building will end up looking like the "projects of Newark."

The township is being forced to approve the development at 555 South Avenue East after settling a lawsuit with Lehigh Aquisitions in September.

The coompany filed suit against the township in 2008, alleging that the township hadn't met state requirements for affordable housing. The group filed the lawsuit the day after the township requested they reduce the housing plan from 126 units to 90.

The New Jersey State Supreme Court ruled that Cranford was in violation of the state constitution for not offering affordable housing – or an ordinance that stipulates that it must provide affordable housing.

Since Lehigh included in its site plan a dozen affordable housing units, township officials said they really had no choice but to approve the plan. The final development will have 24 affordable housing units.

Resident Mike Roman said he's concerned about the amount of children who may flood the school system. He urged committee members to take time to consider the plan more carefully.

Woodward said according to the research, it is not believed that the development will bring in a lot of children because it will mostly be comprised of studios and one and two bedroom apartments, which typically don't lend themselves to family living.

Woodward reiterated that the township doesn't have much of choice but to give final approval to the plan.

Mayor Mark Smith agreed that it was time to bite the bullet, saying, "This has gone on for a very long time."

Future mayor Daniel Aschenbach was the only committee member to vote against final approval.

"There's nothing gained by rushing it through at the end of the year," he said. "This is a significant change in an area of the community."