11/21/2023 Town Council Meeting – Questions On Redevelopment Studies

On the town council agenda tonight: 

“2. Resolution directing the Planning Board to undertake an investigation to determine whether all or a portion of certain properties identified on the tax map as Block 702, Lots 4,6, 16, constitute a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment.

(458, 414-424 Springfield Avenue, and 230 Sherman Avenue)”

This is the state statute, Section 52:27D-302 – Findings N.J. Stat. § 52:27D-302 

Please see D and H:

d. There are a number of essential ingredients to a comprehensive planning and implementation response, including the establishment of reasonable fair share housing guidelines and standards, the initial determination of fair share by officials at the municipal level and the preparation of a municipal housing element, State review of the local fair share study and housing element, and continuous State funding for low and moderate income housing to replace the federal housing subsidy programs which have been almost completely eliminated. 

h. The Supreme Court of New Jersey in its Mount Laurel decisions demands that municipal land use regulations affirmatively afford a reasonable opportunity for a variety and choice The Legislature finds that: 1 of housing including low and moderate cost housing, to meet the needs of people desiring to live there. While provision for the actual construction of that housing by municipalities is not required, they are encouraged but not mandated to expend their own resources to help provide low and moderate income housing.

Emphasis Added.

In reading the above, two points appear to jump out:

1. The township does not need to use its resources for redevelopment.
2. More of a question – where is the state funding?

These are the three properties the council wants the Planning Board to perform a Study on. 

458 Springfield

415-424 Springfield Avenue

230 Sherman Avenue 

The proposed Study is up for vote tonight.

Regarding the Sherman Avenue property- it does not appear blighted. One can reasonably ask whether the intent is to have it more aesthetically pleasing or easily rezoned without going through all the necessary variances. 

We have yet to have a consolidated traffic study of all the developments, redistricting, and reconfiguration of our elementary schools. This becomes more pertinent when considering the traffic issues on Mountain Avenue, Snyder, Ferndale, Briarwood, and Springfield during school pick-up and drop-off times.  

Does the town plan to evaluate the impact of already-built structures yet to open for occupancy and the long-term impact on the existing traffic concerns?

Also, should such an impactful vote happen two days before the Thanksgiving break, or would it be more effective for it to occur after the Holiday break so more residents can be involved?

-John Migueis, Laura Kap, Sai Akiri