October 4, 2011
Maple Shade proposed for medical marijuana dispensary (Walsh, Courier-Post) Maple Shade, Camden County
“A nonprofit organization wants to open a dispensary for medical marijuana here.”
Signs of hope stretch beyond the boardwalk (Kitchenman, NJ BIZ) Atlantic City, Atlantic County
“Atlantic City Cruises President Jeff George said he saw one sign of immediate improvement from state-initiated reforms intended to improve the city’s economy: his neighborhood became cleaner.”
Planning Board to Make Green Village Redevelopment Recommendations (Chirls, Madison Patch) Madison, Morris County
“The Planning Board is scheduled to put its official stamp on its recommendations for a major borough development project.”
Upcoming Energy Ordinance Receives Planning Board Scrutiny (Kyriakakis, Manchester Patch) Manchester, Ocean County
“Manchester’s planning board reviewed an upcoming renewable energy ordinance, discussing its implications before the final version makes it to the township council for a vote at a still undetermined date.”
Apartment complex sign of Newton’s renaissance (Reilly, NJ Herald) Newton, Sussex County
“A renaissance is taking over Newton, from the opening of the Newton Theatre to the proliferation of gourmet eateries along Spring Street.”
Friday, July 29, 2011
Keeping public access public (Oswald, The Asbury Park Press) Jersey Shore
“Anglers are anxious.”
60-unit condo plan under consideration in Burlington City (O’Sullivan, phillyburbs.com) Burlington City, Burlington County
“A plan for a 60-unit condominium development in the Yorkshire neighborhood has raised concerns about density, parking and environmental impact.”
New Development for a Tired Industrial Town (Martin, The New York Times) Harrison, Hudson County
“Starting leasing next month beside the PATH station here: 275 new rental units with an attended lobby, a fitness center, an outdoor pool and volleyball court, a residents’ lounge, and garage parking — all within walking distance of a major-league soccer stadium.”
First phase of Pleasantville’s City Center Project would add 300 condos, retail space (Spahr, The Press of Atlantic City) Atlantic City, Atlantic County
“The city is close to acquiring the last properties it needs to begin the first phase of a roughly $150 million downtown redevelopment project.”
New Jersey sets new record for solar energy (Baxter, NorthJersey.com) Statewide
“The state hit a new record in June for solar energy installations and the resulting electric generation capacity compared to any prior month, according to state environmental officials.”
Residents Voice Concerns Over Walmart Windmills (Piniat, Lacey Patch) Lacey, Ocean County
“Lanoka Harbor resident Peter Zarycki thought it was a joke when he received a certified letter notifying his neighborhood that windmills might be installed on top of lighting fixturs in the Walmart parking lot.”
North Jersey religious groups fighting zoning laws and winning (Yellin, NorthJersey.com) North Jersey
“Religious groups across North Jersey are challenging local zoning laws with plans to put houses of worship on dwindling taxable land, and if legal precedent is any judge, city boards and unhappy neighbors don’t have a prayer.”
Morristown may form shade tree commission for public education campaign (Coughlin, MorristownGreen.com) Morristown, Morris County
“Is it time for tree-age in Morristown?”
Town Council Passess Ordinance to Add Riparian Zone Protections (De Bellis, Berkeley Heights Patch) Berkeley Heights, Union County
“Residents opposed to an ordinance that amends the township’s code on flood damage prevention to include riparian zone protections continued their protests to the town council on Tuesday night.”
Planning Board clears way for gentleman’s club (Prisament, Shore News Today) Galloway, Atlantic County
“The Planning Board cleared the way for a ‘gentleman’s club to open at the Vienna Inn on the White Horse Pike on Thursday, July 21.”
Thursday, December 23, 2010 (Evening)
Stalled Xanadu project still has a pulse (Brennan, The Record) Meadowlands
“The final meeting of the year for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority board came and went Wednesday with no news about a new operator for Meadowlands Xanadu.”
Meadowlands board conditionally rejects plan to allow 800 housing units in Rutherford (Lamendola, South Bergenite) Meadowlands
“The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) conditionally rejected a plan last week that would have amended the Highland Cross Redevelopment Area in Rutherford, which would have made up to 800 housing units a permitted use on the approximately 26-acre property as well as 923,000 square feet of non-residential development divided between office, retail and hotel space.”
Wind turbines could be constructed on Atlantic City’s Steel Pier by this spring (Lemongello, The Press of Atlantic City) Atlantic City, Atlantic County
“As soon as the spring, the Steel Pier — once home to diving horses, giant billboards, and diving bells — could become the site of a new Boardwalk landmark: giant white windmills, designed to convert sea breezes into usable energy.”
Delsea Drive-In plans to tap solar energy (Funderburk, The Courier Post) Vineland, Cumberland County
“To keep admission prices affordable, the Delsea Drive-In will soon rely on solar power.”
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 (Evening)
CRDA funds study to transform parts of Atlantic City into art and medical education districts (Previti, The Press of Atlantic City) Atlantic City, Atlantic County
“The New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority voted this afternoon to spend $70,000 for feasibility studies and other preliminary work for the transformation of more than two dozen city blocks into arts and medical education districts bounded by Florida, South Carolina and Baltic Avenues and the Boardwalk.”
S.B. making strides in affordable housing (Slaughter, Sentinel) South Brunswick, Middlesex County
“As another year wraps up, South Brunswick once again has made strides in affordable housing.”
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 (Afternoon)
NEWS
New Jersey to Privatize Land Use Permitting (Press Release, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility) Trenton, Mercer County
“New Jersey is now looking for private companies to review applications and draft permits for all of its land use programs, according to a request for proposal posted today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). The five-year contract would radically extend Governor Chris Christie’s privatization agenda into regulatory decisions traditionally seen as inherently governmental.”
Two more named to fort authority (Davison, Atlanticville) Tinton Falls, Monmouth County
“Two additional members of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) were in place for the authority’s inaugural meeting on Sept. 28.”
Foreclosure and land redevelopment are hot topics at the Governor’s Conference on Housing and Community Development (Good, The Press of Atlantic City) Atlantic City, Atlantic County
“State housing officials hope grant programs, development incentives and governmental input can improve New Jersey’s housing situation.”
COAH plans shift in Riverside (Coppock, Burlington County Times) Riverside, Burlington County
“The Township’s affordable housing plan is changing, affecting three historic sites and plans to redevelop them.”
RFP
Monday, September 13, 2010 (Afternoon)
NEWS
New Jersey Halts Work On Tunnels To Midtown (Grynbaum, The New York Times) Statewide
“New Jersey officials have abruptly halted new work on an ambitious $8.7 billion plan to build two new commuter rail tunnels beneath the Hudson River, raising concerns about the fate of a project that had been hailed as a potential savior for the region’s overcrowded mass transit system.”
OPINION
Revitalizing Atlantic City benefits the entire state (Florio, for The Star-Ledger) Atlantic City, Atlantic County/Statewide
“Gov. Chris Christie’s advisory commission’s report on how to improve the economic environment in Atlantic City is thoughtful and balanced. The commission’s recommendations focus on how New Jersey can expand both its tourism and economy. This is a goal everyone can and should support, because the entire state will benefit.”
COURT OPINION
Cellco Partnership v. Zoning Board of Adjustment of Township of Lawrence (Appellate Division) Lawrence, Mercer County
The Township of Lawrence Zoning Board of Adjustment denied an use variance application for a 140’ telecommunications tower. Law Division upheld denial. Plaintiff argues that denial was arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable, and that Law Division misapplied the time of decision rule. Appellate Division now agrees with Plaintiff on the time of decision rule and reverses and remands.
Thursday, September 9, 2010 (Morning)
NEWS
Oakes Pond development dogged by environmental questions (Frankel, Bloomfield Life) Bloomfield, Essex County
“There may be more than meets the eye at the site of a dilapidated industrial complex alongside the Garden State Parkway.”
Byram close to winning Highlands plan OK (O’Dea, The Daily Record) Byram, Sussex County
“Byram is set to become the first municipality to conform to the state’s Highlands regional master plan.”
New Brunswick becomes model for Atlantic City (Barna, The Daily Targum) New Brunswick, Middlesex County
“After finding the state in another economic slump, Atlantic City officials, Gov. Chris Christie and the state legislature are seeking solutions to help spur the economy and redevelop the struggling city — and a large portion of their inspiration is coming from New Brunswick.”
Housing developers want Vineland council to OK grant application (Staff, The Daily Journal) Vineland, Gloucester County
“The owners of a stalled East Vineland residential development are seeking the city’s support to pursue a state affordable housing grant.”
Zoning Board Carries Hearing on River Road Shell Station (Sullivan, Summit Patch) Summit, Union County
“The Zoning Board of Adjustment heard testimony pertaining to the Shell station at the corner of River Road and Passaic Avenue Tuesday night.”
Talley to become new planning director (McDonald, The Montclair Times) Montclair, Essex County
“A current member of Montclair’s Planning Board has been tapped to become the municipal planning and community development director.”
OPINION
Company turning a sealed toxic dump into a solar-energy development (Riordan, The Philadelphia Inquirer) Gloucester County
“Atop a sealed mound of industrial waste on a historically toxic swath of Gloucester County, Bill Geary sees a sunny future.”
Suburbs suffering from Christie’s short attention span (Mulshine, The Star-Ledger) Statewide
“If they were going to build a Seaside on the farm next door to his place in Mount Olive, I suspect Bret Wien would like it a lot more than the project that’s planned for the spot.”
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 (Morning)
Private company’s redevelopment of New Brunswick could be model for Atlantic City revamp (Peet, The Star-Ledger) New Brunswick/Atlantic City, Middlesex County/Atlantic County
“In 1976 when the people of Atlantic City danced in the streets to celebrate the passage of legalized gambling, many in downtown New Brunswick dared not even venture outside.”
Monday, August 2, 2010 (Afternoon)
NEWS
In downtown Princeton, a makeover brings hope - New apartments, shop opening (Knapp, Special to The Times of Trenton) Princeton Borough, Mercer County
“The last major phase of a downtown redevelopment project is finally wrapping up and filling up, despite the tough economy.”
Repair projects - $10.5M alloted for 12 of 20 Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission bridges (Staff, The Times of Trenton) Mercer/Hunterdon Counties
“While the superstructures of the bridges over the Delaware River may have escaped relatively undamaged, flood waters of the past decade have taken their toll on the substructures.”
Phillipsburg Town Council sues Phillipsburg Zoning Board over application to convert former convent into dormitory (Wojcik, The Express-Times) Phillipsburg, Warren County
“The town of Phillipsburg is suing its zoning board over approval granted for the conversion of a former convent into a foreign-exchange student dorm.”
Overhauling the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority may hurt throughout New Jersey (Clark, The Press of Atlantic City) Atlantic City, Atlantic County
“The state agency designed to help revitalize Atlantic City through the reinvestment of casino profits has spent nearly $360 million on development outside the gaming resort since its inception in 1984.”
Medowlands Xanadu has two developers seeking to revive stalled N.J. project (Sherman, The Star-Ledger) East Rutherford, Bergen County
“New Jersey is now negotiating with at least two possible developers for the long-stalled Xanadu complex in the Meadowlands.”
OPINION
Editorial: DRPA needs budget diet (Staff Editorial, The Philadelphia Inquirer) South Jersey
“Who can blame South Jersey lawyer Michael Joyce for making sure his daughter didn’t pay the bridge tolls while taking classes in Philadelphia?”
Ratable chase not the answer in Highlands (Millsaps, for The Daily Record) Highlands
“In a July 30 column, R. Gregory Jones attempted to perpetuate the misconception that the ratable chase is the answer to a municipality’s need to provide services to its residents and that the Highlands Act will devastate the tax base in the region’s communities. His predicted ‘reverse doughnut consequence of the Highlands Act’ is the exact opposite of what has been proven in the Pinelands in southern New Jersey.”
COURT OPINION
Curzi v. Harmony Township Land Use Board (Appellate Division) Harmony, Warren County
Issue: defective notice.
Monday, July 26, 2010 (Morning)
NEWS
World-class ShopRite proposal to be heard by Somerville planning board (Staff, The Messenger-Gazette) Somerville, Somerset County
“The developer of Somerville Town Center will be in front of the planning board next Wednesday, July 28, to unveil plans for a “World Class ShopRite Supermarket” that is to be built on the site.”
Hotel construction begins in Millvile (Landau, The Daily Journal) Millville, Cumberland County
“A year ago, the city was anticipating a host of new hotels coming to the area.”
Bedminster Township officials to review redevelopment concept for state maintenance yard (Coombe, The Bernardsville News) Bedminster, Somerset County
“Today, it’s 9.75 acres of property along the Route 202/206 corridor, soon to be abandoned, and with a long history of pollution.”
N.J. Office of Smart Growth gets a new name, new boss in Lt. Gov. Guadagno (Staff, The Star-Ledger) Trenton, Mercer County
“The Office of Smart Growth, created to coordinate growth in state agencies, will be named the Office of Planning Advocacy, and control will be given to Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, according to a report by NJSpotlight.com.”
New Brunswick’s rebound could be model for Atlantic City (Clark, The Press of Atlantic City) Atlantic City, Atlantic County
“As in today’s Atlantic City, officials in New Brunswick found their city at a crossroads about four decades ago. A new incarnation of the organization and structure that saved that central New Jersey city could be coming to rescue this ailing gaming resort.”
Gov. Christie’s proposed takeover of casino industry may be last chance for Atlantic City revitalization (Staff, The Star-Ledger) Atlantic City, Atlantic County
“It seemed a simple enough idea: Turn Atlantic City’s two main drags into one-way streets so traffic would flow better around the casinos.”
$500K for ‘six points’ clears hurdle (Frankel, Bloomfield Life) Bloomfield, Essex County
“The township is one step closer to receiving a large chunk of change to help improve the notorious ‘six points’ intersection in the center of town, courtesy of New Jersey’s top federal legislators.”
OPINION
Want to stimulate home construction? Repeal the Highlands Act (Mulshine, The Star-Ledger)
“A number of Democrats are upset that Gov. Christie vetoed that $100 million home-buyers tax credit program, among them state Sen. Paul Sarlo.”
AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Bill eliminating COAH would only make matters worse (Walsh, in The Asbury Park Press)
“New Jersey’s housing market is broken. Unfortunately, the Legislature is proposing to make things worse. It is considering legislation that would eliminate the Council of Affordable Housing without providing any alternative way to ensure adequate housing is provided for working families, seniors and people with special needs.”
