Tuesday, November 16, 2010 (Afternoon)
NEWS
New York Poised to Grab New Jersey’s Tunnel Money (Barrett, The Wall Street Journal) New York
“The nation’s top transportation official signaled Monday that New York stands to gain some of the billions in dollars in federal construction money that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie rejected when he pulled the plug on a massive project to build a rail tunnel under the Hudson River.”
Summit zoning board denies Shell Station (Keill, Independent Press) Summit, Union County
“In a 4-3 vote, the city’s Zoning Board has denied an application for the owner of the Shell Station at 6 River Road to expand to a 7-11 type operation.”
BLOGS
Questions Loom as NJ Transit Considers Privatizing Parking (Corbalis, NJ Future) Statewide
“NJ Transit recently issued a Request for Qualifications for private firms interested in operating and maintaining its parking facilities at 81 stations. According to the RFQ, the term of “concession” would be 30-50 years.”
RFP
Scattered site redevelopment project — Bayonne, Hudson County
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 (Morning)
NEWS
New deal of MOTBY in negotiations? (Sullivan, Hudson Reporter) Bayonne, Hudson County
“City and regional agencies appear to be poised to dramatically alter the future of Bayonne, negotiating deals behind the scenes that would create and expand container port operations and reduce or eliminate large properties once planned for residential development.”
N.J. Turnpike to receive up to $2B in stimulus bonds (Frassinelli, The Star-Ledger) Trenton, Mercer County
“The prospect of a 35 percent gift from Uncle Sam was too good for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to pass up.”
OPINION
Stealth RFP Would Put Approving Land-Use Permits in Private Hands (Catania, NJ Spotlight) Statewide
“For all its bluster and brouhaha, the Christie administration is apparently perfectly capable of moving quietly when it wants to. Case in point, a recently released Request for Proposals whose overarching goal appears to be privatizing the review of land-use permits.”
Thursday, September 23, 2010 (Morning)
Congressman: Christie ‘a hammer’ in seeking solution to Bayonne Bridge height problem (Kitchenman, NJ Biz) Bayonne, Hudson County
“At a news conference announcing the dedication of funding to solve the Bayonne Bridge problem, Gov. Chris Christie said he would consider the raising or replacement of the iconic bridge marking the port’s entrance a priority for his administration.”
Judge approves settlement between TMB and Livingston (D’Onofrio, The Item of Millburn and Short Hills) Livingston, Essex County
“New Jersey State Court Judge Dennis F. Carey III approved the affordable housing settlement between TMB Partners, LLC and the township of Livingston, Sept. 22 in Newark.”
Committee under fire from environmentalists, developers on zoning (Linehan, Shore News Today) Middle, Cape May County “Are plans for zoning in Middle Township too restrictive for development, or not restrictive enough.”
Emerson council opposes Paramus development (Superville, The Record) Emerson, Bergen County “The Borough Council has adopted a resolution opposing a proposed residential development off Solider Hill Road in Paramus, asking that the site be protected and preserved as open space.”
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 (Morning)
Judge Dismisses Residents’ Lawsuit Against Union Catholic (Flanzman, ScotchPlains-Fanwood Patch) Scotch Plains, Union County
“In a ruling made last Friday, Judge Karen Cassidy of the Union County Superior Court upheld the validity of Union County High School’s building permit, which was obtained last June from the municipality of Scotch Plains, and dismissed the complaint filed against the private high school by attorney Mark Rogoff, who represents members of Dutch Lane in Scotch Plains.”
Temple plans are still unclear (Forrest, Parsippany Life) Parsippany, Morris County
“The latest Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing on the proposed construction of a Radha-Krishna Temple in Parsippany seem to have left the waters surrounding what the finished building will look like even muddier then before.”
Highlands Master Plan: Town is primed for growth (Forrest, Neighbor News) Dover, Morris County
“Although at the moment the town is an unlikely candidate for opting into the Highlands Regional Master Plan, Dover Mayor James Dodd and the Board of Alderman were given an overview of the program last month during a meeting at town hall.”
Union Hotel deal aims to prevent opposition by Flemington Furs (Epstein, Hunterdon County Democrat) Flemington, Hunterdon County
“Flemington Furs will not challenge the borough’s designation of the Union Hotel as ‘an area in need of redevelopment’ — unless the borough makes a move to take away the fur store’s parking lot.”
Bayonne developer angry over container port deal, files suit to stop it (Hack, The Jersey Journal) Bayonne, Hudson County
“A container port wasn’t part of the deal. That’s the argument the developer of a 544-unit residential development at the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor is making in a lawsuit filed in Hudson County Superior Court against the city agency in charge of development at the old military base.”
Friday, August 13, 2010 (Afternoon)
NEWS
Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority prevails as Superior Court judge rejects developer’s bid to prevent Port Authority from making $40 million payment on Peninsula deal (Hack, The Jersey Journal) Bayonne, Hudson County
“A Superior Court judge has refused to grant a developer’s request for an injunction that would have blocked a $40 million down payment to the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.”
COURT OPINION
365 Spotswood/Englishtown Road, LLC v. Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Township of Monroe (Appellate Division) Monroe, Middlesex County
Affirms Law Division decision that reversed a denial of a tree buffer variance based on a 1978 restriction.
Monday, August 9, 2010 (Morning)
NEWS
Bayonne condo developer gets Planning Board approval to switch to rentals before 96 units are built (Hack, The Jersey Journal) Bayonne, Hudson County
“With the real estate market still in the doldrums, the Bayonne Planning Board recently approved a developer’s effort to kick-start a stalled Bergen Point development by allowing the project to be rentals instead of condominium units.”
Valley Expansion Decision Heads To Village Council (Scavuzzo, Wyckoff Patch) Ridgewood, Bergen County
“The Ridgewood Planning Board on Tuesday approved a resolution of memorialization for an expansion at Valley Hospital—putting the project’s fate in Village Council’s hands.”
Morris County NJ development dips to historic lows (Daigle, The Daily Record) Morris County
“The new towers in Morristown are up, awaiting restaurants and residents.”
Natural gas line plans detailed (Molnar, NJ Herald) Vernon, Sussex County
“El Paso Corp. representatives detailed their plan for the newly state-approved Tennessee Gas Pipeline — which cuts through 16 miles of some of the most environmentally sensitive and restricted lands in the Highlands — at a public forum at the Vernon Senior Center last night.”
COURT OPINIONS
O’Brien v. Borough of Point Pleasant Zoning Board of Adjustment (Appellate Division) Point Pleasant, Ocean County
Law Division upheld Zoning Board’s approval of a use variance for a nonconforming duplex. Appellate Division reverses application since the Board erred in determining that the Applicant established positive criteria for the use variance for the duplexes.
Village Supermarkets Inc. v. Planning Board of the Township of Union (Appellate Division) Union, Union County
Law Division upheld Planning Board’s approval for various bulk variances for a supermarket, finding that the Board did not abuse its authority and did not act in an arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable manner. Appellate Division affirms Law Division’s decision.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010 (Morning)
Salem among 14 in state with Main Street accreditation (Staff, The Sunbeam) Salem, Salem County
“Salem is among 14 Main Street New Jersey communities that have been accredited as 2010 National Main Street Programs for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center.”
Council OKs Settlement with TMB (Feeney, Livingston Patch) Livingston, Essex County
“Livingston’s Township Council agreed on Monday to settle with TMB Partners in the ongoing ‘Builder’s Remedy’ lawsuit, which is commonly referred to as the affordable housing case.”
Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority approves sales of 130 acres to Port Authority for use as container port; jobs creation seen (Hack, The Jersey Journal) Bayonne, Hudson County
“The Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority yesterday approved the sale of 130 acres of the former Military Ocean Terminal to the Port Authority to build a container port, but it was learned that the 9/11 Teardrop Memorial and Harbor View Park will have to be moved as a result of the deal.”
Could builder bring homes to Xanadu? (Brennan, The Record) East Rutherford, Bergen County
“The owners of Minneapolis’ Mall of America — who for several months have expressed interest in taking over the dormant Xanadu project — were rejected in an effort years ago to construct 5 million square feet of housing at the Meadowlands Sports Complex.”
Friday, June 25, 2010 (Morning)
NEWS
Haddon Heights mayor’s development plan stirring debate (Osborne, The Philadelphia Inquirer) — Haddon Heights, Camden County
“Haddon Heights is the kind of town where residents remember their neighbors’ roof repairs and give visitors directions like “Turn right at the big canons - you can’t miss it.”
Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority approves negotiations to sell Port Authority a third of the former MOT; likely use will be port facility, not housing and commercial development (Hack, The Jersey Journal) — Bayonne, Hudson County
“The board of the Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority voted 6-0 last night to authorize the agency’s executive director to negotiate the sale of 128 acres at the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.”
Public access to N.J. beaches may see setback with revised state regulations (Spoto, The Star-Ledger) — Jersey Shore
“When Shore communities were ordered to improve public access to beaches three years ago, state environmental protection officials hoped the changes would yield a double benefit: More visitors to the oceanfront and more beach replenishment projects.”
Proposed New Jersey Light Rail Expansion Moves Forward (Roman, Metro Magazine) — South Jersey
“The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) and Port Authority Transit Corp. (PATCO), a subsidiary of the DRPA, in close cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), are pursuing new transit service between Glassboro and Camden in Southern New Jersey.”
Changes in N.J. affordable housing near impasse (Rao/Lu, The Philadelphia Inquirer) — Trenton, Mercer County
“Lawmakers on Thursday appeared to be moving toward an impasse on proposed affordable-housing changes, one week after Gov. Christie’s administration pressed the Legislature to approve changes by the end of June.”
Wawa, CVS slated for Maple Shade (Bishop, The Burlington County Times) — Maple Shade, Burlington County
“The convenience store and pharmacy business should get even more competitive along Route 73.”
OPINION
Embrace the energy value of the wind and the sun (Staff Editorial, The Home News and Tribune)
“Energy from the wind and sun will not end our addiction to fossil fuel. But it will help ease the consequences.”
Thursday, June 24, 2010 (Afternoon)
Eminent domain takes ‘center’ stage (again) (Frankel, Bloomfield Life) — Bloomfield, Essex County
“The planning board has begun the tedious process of approving a sweeping redevelopment plan for Bloomfield Center — although one local merchant is fighting the municipality.”
Borough Unveils Bancroft Plan, Claims No Developer (Dengler, The Retrospect) — Haddonfield, Camden County
“In an unusually busy kick-off to the summer session in Haddonfield, last Friday the town released a draft of a redevelopment plan for the Bancroft NeuroHealth, Inc. tract, should the property become available in the near future.”
Vote expected tonight in Bayonne to set up negotiations to sell to Port Authority a third of Peninsula that had been designated for housing, retail, restaurants, and hotels (Hack, The Jersey Journal) — Bayonne, Hudson County
“Turned away in a previous land deal at the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey could become the largest property owner at the former military base.”
Monday, June 14, 2010 (Evening)
Wawa’s Parsippany store will be its northern-most location (Paik, The Star-Ledger) — Parsippany, Morris County
“Wawa Food Market — known for its coffee, computerized deli counters and custom-made hoagies — is making its way to northern New Jersey.”
Bayonne Planning Board approves plan to turn old Maidenform factory into 99 units of housing (Hack, The Jersey Journal) — Bayonne, Hudson County
“The Bayonne Planning Board on Tuesday unanimously approved a new six-story, 99-unit residential development at the site of the former Maidenform factory on Avenue E.”
