Over 100 Objections Filed Against 9,000-Unit Housing Plan in Hod Hasharon
The Nof Yarkon plan in Hod Hasharon, which proposes nearly 9,000 new housing units on approximately 2,232 dunams south of the city and north of Highway 5, has entered a critical phase with the start of the objection hearings this week. The plan, initiated in the late 1990s and revived by the National Planning and Building Council in 2016 after years of stagnation, aims to increase the city's housing stock by almost 50%, adding alongside residential units significant public buildings, employment areas, and commercial spaces.
Despite its potential impact on one of Israel's high-demand housing markets, the plan faces strong opposition. A total of 137 objections have been submitted, including from landowners, the government company "Dira LeHashkir" which resubmitted the plan in February 2024, and major local bodies. The most vehement opposition comes from Hod Hasharon's municipality and local planning committee, which criticize the plan for serious planning, transportation, and environmental flaws that could harm the city's character and economy. They demand substantial infrastructure improvements, including rerouting the planned metro line, enhanced public services, and increased commercial and employment areas before approval.
The regional council of South Sharon also opposes the plan, citing its encroachment on agricultural land and violation of regional planning principles. The objection phase is expected to last at least a month with multiple hearings through early August. If significant changes are required, further objection rounds will follow, delaying final approval.
Land ownership is mostly private (about 80%), with the remainder state-owned. According to a September 2025 valuation by Asaf Levi and Daniel Gav, the total market value of the land could nearly triple from 2.7 billion to 7.8 billion shekels upon plan approval. Prominent landowners include Allied Real Estate, Africa Israel Residences, Tzemach Marmon, Elad Israel Residences, and others, holding varying shares worth tens of millions of shekels each. The complex ownership structure, with some parcels having hundreds of owners, adds to the challenges ahead.
The Nof Yarkon plan is one of three major housing projects currently advancing in Hod Hasharon, alongside the "Metzach HaTaf" plan with over 3,000 units and another northern city plan with more than 5,000 units. The outcome of the objection process will significantly influence the city's housing development trajectory and the realization of these large-scale projects.
