A highly anticipated Howell Township Council meeting Tuesday night was abruptly canceled after an oversized crowd packed the municipal building to voice opinions on a controversial proposed ordinance that would ban the conversion of residential garages into habitable living spaces.

The meeting had been expected to include a vote on a measure that has sparked intense debate over religious freedom, housing policy, and local zoning authority. However, police called off the meeting before the ordinance could be considered, citing the unexpectedly large turnout and concerns surrounding crowd capacity and public safety.

The proposed ordinance would create a new section of the municipal code titled “Private Garages on Residential Lots,” requiring residential garages to be used exclusively for the storage of motor vehicles while prohibiting their use as bedrooms, kitchens, gathering spaces, or other habitable areas. The measure would also require homeowners to maintain the physical infrastructure of garages, including garage doors and layouts designed for vehicle storage.

Township officials have framed the proposal as an effort to address overcrowding, parking concerns, and zoning enforcement issues. However, critics and many residents who attended the meeting contend the ordinance disproportionately impacts Howell’s growing Orthodox Jewish community, particularly families who utilize converted garage spaces for private minyanim, which are federally protected.

The controversy comes as New Jersey lawmakers continue considering statewide legislation that would require municipalities to permit certain Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), including garage apartments, as part of broader efforts to address the state’s housing shortage.