Haddonfield Redevelopment Counsel Matt Jessup gives an overview of the recent development at the Dec. 16 board of commissioners meeting.
The Haddonfield commissioners unanimously voted on Dec. 16 to approve amendments made to the Bancroft redevelopment plan ordinance.
They include updates to make the plan more consistent with the current situation; a change to include rental units; the addition of the words “at least” before the proposed number of affordable units; and an increase in the area that can be developed from 7.0 to 8.2 acres.
The updated plan was approved in a 2-0 vote; David Siedell abstained because he was not yet a commissioner when it was introduced.
The decision followed ongoing Fair Share Housing litigation. On Dec. 6, Judge Sherri Schweitzer issued an order that included a deadline to complete the next steps in the redevelopment process and adopt the amendments to the Bancroft plan by Dec. 16. That followed the failure of a vote in November, after Commissioner Frank Troy and Mayor Colleen Bianco Bezich chose not to second the motions of other commissioners.
“We are maintaining the 8.2 acres that had always been a part of the residential developable area at Bancroft’s larger site, so it’s not a true increase in the residential developable area, it’s a change in density increment,” Bianco Bezich explained.
“In fact, the second reason I would state I’m in favor of rejecting this recommendation is that it makes the site less dense. If we build the units over 8.2 acres, you are fitting something over a larger area, so making the site less dense.”
Siedell also clarified his absention, saying, “8.2 acres is the maximum we could sell the land to build. I’ve been very plain; I am not in favor of selling anything close to that in negotiation terms, but it shouldn’t hold up this process from a wording standpoint.”
Just over half of residents at the meeting who voiced their disapproval of the vote reasoned that it went against planning board recommendations, and that it could open the door for even more units in town. But without the vote, the borough was at risk of losing its builder’s lawsuit remedy, a decision expected to be made next month.
“We have until Feb. 10 to consider a resolution that would adopt a redevelopment agreement and a purchase and sale agreement for the property, which are two of the agreements we need,” said redevelopment counsel Matt Jessup.
” … We do need to negotiate a redevelopment agreement and purchase and sale agreement and come to terms with it by Feb. 10.”
The commissioners will now go back to negotiations with Woodmont Redevelopment.
In other news:
- Commissioners declared January Board of Education Month.
- Nicolas Bazis was hired as a full-time probationary police officer.
- The board also approved the creation of a senior-citizen priority parking program to issue permits for metered parking spots in the borough beginning today. Seniors 60 and older who live in Haddonfield can pay $20 for the permit and park at any metered spot rather than paying each time through the Premium Parking app or the kiosk.
The next board of commissioners meeting will be held on Monday.
