Business seems to be booming in South Orange — note the opening of Ricalton’s and The Gateway, and new businesses and improvements on Irvington Avenue — but leaders in South Orange say they are not resting on their laurels.
The newly created Business Code Review Task Force is hosting a “Business Code Review Business Owner Breakfast” on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. in the SOPAC loft. Business owners are encouraged to attend to hear about the work of the Task Force and “share experiences and suggestions on how the Village can improve the business owner experience.” No RSVP is necessary.
According to a release from the Task Force, the Village of South Orange is intent on improving business owners’ experiences with town officials and department, “with the singular goal of making South Orange the most business friendly community in the area and beyond.”
The Task Force, which is made up of Village Trustees and administration, consulting professionals, organizations, business owners and residents, has been given these major tasks:
- identify problem areas in South Orange codes, permits and other processes;
- find solutions to those problems; and
- streamline inspection, permitting and other regulations that affect businesses in South Orange.
The Task Force is also creating a brief survey to find out about business owners’ experiences and satisfaction in their dealings with the Village. The survey will be launched following Wednesday’s breakfast and will be available on the Village website at www.southorange.org.
Business Code Review Task Force members are: Sheena Collum, Trustee; Stephen Schnall, Trustee; Barry Lewis, Village Administrator; Adam Loehner, Deputy Village Administrator; Susan Gruel, Village Planner: Bob Zuckerman, South Orange Village Center Alliance; Doug Zacker, Irvington Avenue Corridor Advisory Committee; Katherine Crenshaw, SOVCA Design Team; Ben Salmon, Business Owner; Celina Herrero, Business Owner; and Michael Feinberg, Property Owner.
