NEW JERSEY LAND USE NEWS

October 13, 2011

Maple Shade bars medical pot dispensary (Walsh, The Courier-Post) Maple Shade, Camden County

“The township zoning board Wednesday night unanimously rejected plans to open a medical marijuana dispensary here.”

Board just says no (Levinsky, phillyburbs.com) Maple Shade, Camden County

“The township Zoning Board on Wednesday night unanimously denied a request by a nonprofit group for a medical marijuana dispensary at a former furniture store off Route 73.”

West Milford officials rebuff proposal to assit developers (Zimmer, Suburban Trends) West Milford, Passaic County

“The Township Council has voiced its opposition to proposed state legislation that would provide relief for developers facing prohibitive economic conditions.”

Age-restricted development will not be converted in S.B. (McLafferty, Sentinel) South Brunswick, Middlesex County

“More than 100 homes in South Brunswick will not be converted from age-restricted to market housing after the Planning Board denied an applicant’s request to do so during its Oct. 5 meeting.”

Ewing developer cuts back on housing project near GM site (Karas, The Times of Trenton) Ewing, Mercer County

“A developer withl long-running plans for an unpopular affordable housing development off Parkway Avenue has offered to cut his housing total by half to ease concerns about the project.”

Thursday, December 9, 2010 (Morning)

N.J. environmental groups say ‘urgent action’ is needed for Jersey Shore pollution (Mascarenhas, The Star-Ledger) Ocean County

“As the Legislature considers sweeping changes to the state’s environmental policy, leading green groups warned in a report today that “urgent action” is needed to address a rising tide of pollution and ecological damage along the Jersey Shore.”

DOT gets behind move for Dinky (Knapp, The Times of Trenton) Princeton, Mercer County

“The commissioner of the state Department of Transportation has expressed support for Princeton University’s plans for an arts and transit neighborhood on the western edge of its campus.”

Honeywell development plan discussed; experts layout concept for 147-acre tract (Lent, Morris NewsBee) Morris, Morris County

“Honeywell International Officials came before the Planning Board Monday night to outline concept plans for the redevelopment of its headquarters that would include a hotel, office buildings and options of either townhouses or senior housing.”

Proposed zoning revisions modified, public hearing on Dec. 15 (Zimmer, Suburban Trends) West Milford, Passaic County

“A significant component of the township’s planned rezoning effort was recently scrapped. However, the Township Council is moving to enact some changes that will eliminate unsupported high-density zoning in the town center area before the year’s end.”

Thursday, November 11, 2010 (Morning)

Planning Board plans on opening door to more businesses (Braff, Pascack Valley Community Life) Westwood, Bergen County

“In an effort to draw more businesses into zone outside of downtown Westwood, the Westwood Planning Board discussed different types of uses they would like to add to the zones on Thursday, Nov. 4. The board is expected to vote on an amendment at its next meeting, scheduled for Nov. 18.”

Village of Ridge exemption obtained, still pending water permits (Zimmer, Suburban Trends) West Milford, Passaic County

“A 50-home development project slated for the town center was given a new lease of life by the Planning Board last week. By a one-vote margin, the Village on Ridge subdivision that was originally approved by the board in January 2005 was given another time extension — valid through Nov. 4, 2011.”

Zoning Board approves Seton Hall Prep field plans (Appelbaum, The Star-Ledger) West Orange, Essex County

“After a two-year battle between Seton Hall Preparatory School and its neighbors, the West Orange zoning board unanimously approved a $7 million construction project at the school this week”

Thursday, November 4, 2010 (Morning)

NEWS

Christie: Don’t even bother with housing bill (Rao, The Philadelphia Inquirer) Trenton, Mercer County

“As Assembly bill that would bring substantial changes to how affordable housing is regulated in New Jersey won’t have Gov. Christie’s support. The governor Wednesday vowed he would veto the measure, which would phase in a 2.5 percent fee on nonresidential developments to subsidize low-cost housing, if it were passed.”

West Milford councilman backs repeal of Highlands Act (Adfely, The Record) West Milford, Passaic County

“Councilman-elect Luciano “Lou” Signorino wants to step up the township’s fight to revise the state’s Highlands Act, which restricts local development to protect the state’s drinking-water resources.”

OPINION

West Amwell residents don’t want a solar farm (Hurley, for the Hunterdon County Democrat) West Amwell, Hunterdon County

“Over six years ago, our family moved to West Amwell. We fell in love with its rural beauty. The backyard of our home abuts the most gorgeous farmland. There honestly has not been a single day that I have not looked out at that splendor and felt gratitude.”

Monday, August 30, 2010 (Morning)

NEWS

Council to examine need for COAH (Zimmer, Suburban Trends) West Milford, Passaic County

“The township will be examining its liability for builder’s remedy lawsuits, as local officials are doubting the need to pander for protection from the state Council on Affordable Housing (COAH).”

Down to Its Last Million Acres (Martin, The New York Times) Statewide

“‘Total build out’ sounds as if it could be the title of a science fiction film. In fact it is a forecast of reality for New Jersey, which according to a new report is down to its last million acres of developable land, and may run out by midcentury.”

Planners Eye Traffic, Pollution Issues for Proposed Cleaners (Dunphy, Morristown Patch) Morristown, Morris County

“After an over two-hour meeting on Thursday, Aug. 26, the Planning Board had not yet decided whether or not to approve the construction of a new cleaners in a vacant lot on South Street.”

OPINION

Is New Jersey running out of space (Hasse and Lathrop, Jr., for The Record) Statewide

“Is New Jersey really going to run out of land? Yes. While the great recession has slowed things down, most of the state is only decades away from buildout, the condition where all available land is either built to its capacity or in some form of preserved open space.”

Friday, August 27, 2010 (Morning)

NEWS

Somerville Planning Board approves ‘World Class ShopRite’ at new Town Center (Winter, The Messenger-Gazette) Somerville, Somerset County

“The Somerville Planning Board unanimously approved a proposal for a 70,000 square-foot ‘World Class ShopRite Supermarket’ to anchor the new Town Center.”

Ridgewood Planning Board hears idea for new commercial zone (Sedon, The Ridgewood News) Ridgewood, Bergen County

“The Planning Board heard a conceptual idea at its last meeting that would require re-zoning a portion of the village’s property that abuts Route 17 for commercial use.”

Council passes resolution to satisfy COAH requirements (Genader, Aim West Milford) West Milford, Passaic County

“Although not completely comfortable with passing a resolution agreeing to appropriate funds or authorize the issuance of debt to fund any shortfalls in its affordable housing program that may arise whether due to inadequate funding from other sources for any other reason, the Township of West Milford Council followed advice of Planner Charles McGroarty and took action at the Aug. 18 council meeting.”

COURT OPINION

CD Development, LLC v. City of Newark (Appellate Division) Newark, Essex County

Law Division found that plaintiff’s property was incorrectly designated as an area in need of redevelopment. Appellate Division affirms. 

Monday, August 16, 2010 (Morning)

West Milford to re-do housing plan (Zimmer, Suburban Trends) West Milford, Passaic County

“The Township Council will be required to amend its application to the state Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) or face being declared in non-compliance with the strict protocol.”

Atlantic County developers finding new ways to offer affordable housing (Ortiz, The Press of Atlantic City) Atlantic County

“Investors were once ready to line up behind low-income housing projects, especially ones that guaranteed tax credits. But the recession and the decline of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac left the market cold.”

Major Island plan OK’d (Comegno, Courier-Post) Burlington City, Burlington County

“A major recreational and educational development plan won approval this week from a management board that oversees the 400-acre Burlington Island in the Delaware River.”

Thursday, June 24, 2010 (Morning)

Avalon Beachfill to Conclude This Week (Press Release, Cape May County Herald) — Avalon, Cape May County

“Avalon officials learned Mon., June 21st that the emergency beach fill project in the community will be completed before the weekend of June 26-27th.”

Baler expected to be open by end of July (Staff, South Bergenite) — North Arlington, Bergen County

“The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) expects the trash transfer station, commonly referred to as the baler, to open by the end of July, according to NJMC Executive Director Robert Ceberio.”

With COAH’s future in limbo, officials hoping for ‘simplicity’ (Butler, The Town Journal) — Bergen County

“Though the state Legislature has not yet acted on a bill that would eliminate the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH), some local officials have come out in support of the plan.”

New, special housing a likely model for N.J. (Pries, The Record) — Allendale, Bergen County

“Standing on the meandering paver walkways leading to their new apartments, Diana Stolfo and Matt Arnold locked hands and raised them up in celebration.”

West Milford Environmental Commission to map town’s trails (Zimmer, Suburban Trends) — West Milford, Bergen County

“The township’s Environmental Commission is preparing to form a master plan for the municipality’s hiking, biking, equine and unblazed trails after hearing that a $5,000 grant for the project could be awarded in the coming weeks.”

Ethics panel recommends removal of board member (Morton, The News Transcript) — Marlboro, Monmouth County

“The Marlboro Ethics Board has recommended that an alternate member of the township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment be removed from his position.”

Senior housing is on Harrison drawing board (Leir, The Observer Online) — Harrison, Essex County

“They still have to find the money to build it, but Harrison officials are moving another step closer to an ‘affordable’ multi-unit residence for senior citizens.”

Fort Monmouth redevelopment authority bill passes key committee (Method, The Asbury Park Press) — Trenton, Mercer County

“A proposed law that would create a Fort Monmouth Redevelopment Authority passes the State Budget Committee today.”

Somerville weighs new redevelopment plan (Bricketto, The Daily Record) — Somerville, Somerset County

“Professionals representing developer JSM at Somerville presented an amended site plan for the former Downtown Somerville Shopping Center during the planning board’s meeting Wednesday.”

Orange unveils plan to revive public housing complex (Corbett, The Star-Ledger) — Orange, Essex County

“Orange officials unveiled a $27 million redevelopment project to replace two decrepit, drug-infested public housing towers being demolished.” 

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 (Evening)

No vote is planned as N.J. Assembly committee schedules hearing on affordable housing bill (Ackermann, The Star-Ledger) — Trenton, Mercer County

“The chairman of an Assembly panel today said his committee will hear testimony on a controversial affordable-housing bill Thursday, but it will not vote on the legislation.”

Madison Borough Council Passes Ordinance That Prevents 24 Hour Businesses in Residential Area: Zoning Ordinance Amended To Allow Office Buildings in Certain Areas of the Borough (Eckert, The Alternative Press) — Madison, Morris County

“An ordinance that prevents retail business establishments that are located near residential areas in Madison from operating between the hours of 11 pm to 6 am was unanimously passed by the Borough Council in a 6-0 vote on Monday night at Bayley Ellard School.”

 West Milford mayor continues battle for aid (Zimmer, NorthJersey.com) — West Milford, Passaic County

“Mayor Bettina Bieri returned to Trenton earlier this month to once again confront state officials and denounce the municipality’s possible loss of $757,687 in state watershed moratorium aid.”