Questions To The Town Council Candidates – Question 2

Second in a Series of Questions to the 2023 Berkeley Heights, NJ Town Council Candidates

Please explain how you see your role within the context of the Town’s Master Plan.

Please identify one goal within the plan and expand on how you would go about advancing this goal in detail.

Identify and explain one or more item(s) you would change, remove or add to the master plan.

Responses Listed in the Order they Were Received:

 

I see my role within the context of the town's master plan as an observer for the people and a champion for the will of the people.  The people of Berkeley Heights have repeatedly stated via surveys that they would love to see a walkable, vibrant downtown area, and yet still keep the small town feel that Berkeley Heights has enjoyed for years.  Unfortunately, the over development we've seen occur doesn't come close to fulfilling those desires. The indirect stress this over development will put on the town's infrastructure can't fully be imagined.  The influx of residents will strain the services of the township (police, fire, etc) to levels we have not seen before.  Also consider the hidden cost of adjusting to the new census as well as incentives given to the developers.  I would stand firm on the stoppage of further development in this town.  We can't unfortunately stop what's already happening.  However, I will advocate to completely limit additional development and over involvement of the government towards development as the consensus of the people is that the government has historically gotten overly involved.  This has contributed to the state of our downtown area now.  

 

- Please explain how you see your role within the context of the Town's Master Plan.


The development of the Master Plan is in the domain of the Planning Board’s Master Plan Committee and the township's Planner.  The current Master Plan was accepted in May 2022 and provides guidance to both the Planning and Zoning Boards. I participated in the final steps of the process as a new member of the Planning Board. While Town Council members do not have input into the content of the Master Plan, they have an important role in implementing it. As a member of the Town Council, I will take a leading role in following through on the Plan’s recommendations of a complete review and updating of Land Use Ordinances. The Master Plan identifies areas that need to be reviewed, including maximum building heights and the patchwork of zones in the downtown district. Updating these ordinances will provide better guidance to the Planning and Zoning Boards when reviewing applications. Additionally, I will work on addressing the commuter and downtown parking problems by maximizing the usage of existing township lots and developing new procedures.


- Please identify one goal within the plan and expand on how you would go about advancing this goal in detail.


There are many notable goals in the Master Plan, and I will focus on establishing a strong and diverse economic base for Berkeley Heights. Our town’s business landscape encompasses The Park at Connell on the southern boundary, both Springfield and Mountain Avenues, and the light industrial areas along Summit and Locust Avenues. A strong business community will help residents by creating a healthy corporate tax base and providing jobs and services for residents. As the planned residential developments are completed, more people will frequent our downtown businesses, and the new businesses will be planned for The Park. Other goals in the plan can be moved forward with a strong business community, such as pedestrian-friendly features like benches and garbage receptacles, bike racks, and improvements in sidewalks and streetscapes. Mayor Devanney has established a framework for making Berkeley Heights more business-friendly, and I will continue these efforts. I will work with business and property owners to build strong relationships and look for additional ways to streamline our permitting process.  As indicated in the Master Plan, there are programs available to businesses like Downtown Improvement District and NJ’s Main Street. I will explore all of these to see if they are appropriate for Berkeley Heights to help strengthen our business landscape.


- Identify and explain one or more item(s) you would change, remove or add to the master plan.


As a member of the Planning Board, who joined after the Master Plan was developed, I suggested a number of changes that were not incorporated. Many of these suggestions could be incorporated into a new section of the plan which is focused on transportation into and around our town. Like the existing Master Plan sections, this new element would include a survey of the current conditions, goals and actions. Adding this to the Master Plan will provide a direct focus on all modes of transportation: car, train, pedestrian, and bicycle. It will provide a blueprint for future planning decisions, and provide actionable items regarding any future developments, especially regarding traffic concerns. This new planning document will give important guidance to the town’s Planner, Engineer, and Planning and Zoning Boards when applications come to them. It will also provide a framework for improving pedestrian and bike safety and identify programs the township can use to accomplish these goals. I am committed to improving the long-term planning of the township, and adding this section to the Master Plan is needed to address the impacts of development and improve the quality of life.

 

Safeguarding Berkeley Heights: A Commitment to Responsible Growth

Eighteen years ago, my wife, our newborn son, and I were seeking a peaceful, quiet place with a great school system and a small-town feel. We desired a location that offered a respite from the city's hustle and bustle, yet provided an easy commute to New York. After much searching, we found and fell in love with Berkeley Heights. Now, eighteen years later, our family, including my wife, son, and daughter, all consider Berkeley Heights our hometown.

Like us, many have chosen Berkeley Heights for its remote feel, majority of single-family homes, safe environment, minimal traffic, small-town ambiance, and excellent school system. When selecting between Berkeley Heights and higher density, more urban locations, we have opted for our sleepy, friendly, family-oriented town, close enough to the city yet far enough to feel an eternity away.

However, our beautiful community is now navigating a challenging period of rapid growth. The construction of 1,408 new apartments is reshaping our town. Unfortunately, many of these developments have advanced too far to halt and now we must address the ongoing changes.

This article outlines how we can use the Master Plan to formally commit to preventing further overdevelopment; enhancing the town’s interconnectivity; and upholding our commitment to the single-family town paradigm.


-Mitigating Overdevelopment

Although we likely cannot stop the current developments underway, we can influence future decisions. During the tenure of those elected to the council, there will likely be another round of Affordable Housing Obligation discussions. There remain many underutilized properties along Springfield Avenue and elsewhere where if we are not careful could potentially be converted into additional apartments. As a candidate, I pledge to oppose any proposal that seeks to add even a single unit more to Berkeley Heights. I will also aim to codify our commitment to stopping further overdevelopment.

Unbridled growth strains infrastructure and schools. We currently have issues with our sewer system and drainage throughout town, and these new developments may exacerbate the problem. More residents mean more traffic on our limited roadways, leading to increased congestion and safety risks. Furthermore, sudden population booms could potentially introduce crime to our town. Rental units may prove to have higher instances of crime than single-family units due to the transient nature of rental properties compared to homeowners with significant long term investments in our community. Our police have done an excellent job maintaining our town's low crime rates.  Unfortunately we will not know the effects of all of these rentals, until after they are built.  


-Promoting Interconnectivity

Berkeley Heights boasts a lovely series of paths, including some through wooded areas. I would like to see these paths improved upon and connected into longer walking and biking routes.

With the ongoing developments at Connell, we are essentially creating a second downtown. It's vital that residents can access these new developments and integrate them into their daily lives. Most of the town is currently cut off from walking or biking to Connell. It would be a shame if residents living nearby had to drive to enjoy these new amenities.


I propose that we explore all opportunities to improve our walking and biking paths, providing a safe and convenient way for residents to engage with these new features. Enhancing town interconnectivity is not just about physical infrastructure but about fostering a sense of unity and community across Berkeley Heights.


-Addressing the ADU Question

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have been suggested by advocates as a solution to provide additional housing for family members, such as aging parents or young adults, whereas the opponents to ADUs worry about the conversion of single family units to additional rentals, especially in a time where Berkeley Heights has recently added well over 1000 new rental units.

ADUs are secondary housing units on a residential property. They can take various forms, including a converted garage or basement, an addition to an existing home, or a standalone structure in the backyard. Currently, they would be in violation of Berkeley Heights zoning laws that favor single-family dwellings.

While this concept holds merit in specific circumstances, it could inadvertently lead to an increase in rental units within residential homes. Enforcing restrictions on these units would be challenging.

There are already complaints in Berkeley Heights from properties where questionable units are being rented out. As such, I am against the idea of formally changing the zoning to allow ADUs.

This being said, as always, I would be open to having public discussions to obtain community feedback about ADUs and exploring options on how to allow ADUs for family members only.

My main concern with ADUs  is that once these units are created, it would be difficult to enforce robust enough regulations to ensure that they do not merely increase the number of rental units in Berkeley Heights. Personally, I don’t feel it is fair to those who have bought into a community of single-family homes to now run the risk of potentially being surrounded by multifamily rentals.


-Protecting the Single-Family Paradigm

Zoning is a crucial tool in maintaining the character of our neighborhoods. If an area is zoned as a single-family zone, introducing rental units could destabilize the harmony and overall character of the community. The essence of Berkeley Heights is our single-family suburban area with good schools and safe, friendly neighborhoods. As a community, we've invested in our homes. Any shift towards a multi-family or rental paradigm could jeopardize the very aspects of our community that we cherish most.


Conclusion

In short, we must ensure future changes to the town align with our common values and the defining characteristics that made Berkeley Heights our choice to live in,  invest in and to raise our families. We all have a role to play in shaping the future of Berkeley Heights.

As your representative, I commit to listening to and working with the residents to preserve the character of our town and ensure that any changes align with the spirit of our community. I have been and continue to be a champion of transparency and community involvement; we need this more than ever. Also as an engineer, I am confident that I am the most qualified of all the candidates to aid in this planning and to address the forthcoming Affordable Housing Obligations. Your trust and support will be crucial in navigating these challenging times and to ensure the brightest future possible for Berkeley Heights.

 

1. Within the context of the town’s Master Plan - when it comes to protecting and preserving the future of our remaining green spaces, I will analyze our state’s Green Acres Program and apply to over 35 grants through the program’s wide range of private and public partnerships. Furthermore, I will explore the possibility of adding new properties to the township’s existing open spaces strategy. I will collaborate with Council members and town administration – and
look forward to playing a key role in protecting the future of our town’s natural environment, its historical sites, and recreational spaces; while remaining cognizant of our business and property owners';, and the needs of the entire community.

2. As a self-proclaimed conservationist, I connect with Land Use Goal #3 - Preserving the natural beauty of our township and improving the overall quality of life.

If given the opportunity, I will perform a deep dive analysis of the Municipal Land Use Procedures Ordinance. According to the Master Plan’s key findings, there are several sections of the ordinance that seem to be lacking when it comes to regulating future development concerns and trends. If elected, I would see to it that we perform a comprehensive update of the ordinance to ensure consistency and to correctly apply our vision for future land use without overtaxing our existing resources. All the while, working closely with the Environmental Commission to enforce regulations pertaining to protecting our tree canopy and environmentally sensitive spaces.

3. Under Economic Development Objective #3 – Boosting our town’s brand via creative placemaking strategies.

If elected, I will focus on our town’s brand by continuing to have events and activities that unite our community, such as the Winter Walk, Restaurant Week, and our Summer Concert Series. This will include proposing new and creative ways of utilizing our vacant spaces and emphasizing their potential. As a dog parent, I will propose designing a dog park close to the downtown area with easy access to parking. As a resident of 25+ years, I’ve been bothered by the lack of aesthetics and character in our downtown area. According to the Master Plan, residents have overwhelmingly ranked the beautification of our downtown as one of the most important priorities for our community. If elected, I will re-examine the property maintenance code and consider updating any sections that are not meeting our town’s vision of good maintenance. I will also work closely with our downtown beautification committee in promoting smart growth, undertaking the walkability of our existing sidewalks, and addressing the lack of shade trees, as well as the absence of park benches.

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