Deptford council voted unanimously to adopt two ordinances and introduced another at its meeting on June 23.
One measure implements specific zoning regulations for Light Industrial District 2, which sits along the intersection of Blackwood-Barnsboro Road and International Avenue. It updates an existing ordinance in order to allow more industrial use in the area.
The other approved ordinance appropriates $300,000 for recreation improvements and acquisitions. According to Mayor Paul Medany, a majority of the money will fund the addition of another soccer field at the Deptford Soccer Association’s fields.
“New sod will be placed,” he said. “It was brought to our attention by the soccer association last year, but by then, it was too late to get everything ready in time. It was too late into the year to put the sod down.”
While the money has been appropriated, construction of the new field will not begin until the fall. The remaining funds will pay for improvements at playgrounds and parks throughout the community.
“We’ll be improving things like the equipment and the fencing on the playgrounds,” said Medany. “Improvements to parks and playgrounds go on all year long.”
Public hearings were held for both ordinances, but there was no residential input. Council also introduced an ordinance that introduces the Five Points South Redevelopment Plan. That plan will dedicate the township portion of the Five Points intersection to affordable housing to fulfill state regulations.
“It is a tweak to our affordable-housing plan, which we use for the area,” explained Medany. “It will also be an area of mixed usage – meaning light industrial – nothing heavy duty.”
A public hearing for that ordinance will take place at the next council meeting on Monday, July 7, at 6 p.m., with a vote to follow.
