Development

“This is not about whether or not JESPY House is a good organization…If it were, I’m sure this meeting wouldn’t last five minutes. We’d all say ‘yes’ and go home because JESPY is an important part of this community. But the planning board also has a role in this community.”

More testimony on the 4-story, 80,000 sf development is coming at the May 6 South Orange Planning Board meeting.

A $100K benefit to the SOMSD property in Maplewood, negotiated with the developer of The Gleason, is set to expire in May if the Board of Ed does not act.

“For the past 25 years, the Township has met its affordable housing requirements because it was the right thing to do. It still is.”

“Do you think, on the site where the whole site is being excavated and we’re taking off 300 trucks worth of soil … that it’s an appropriate calculation to use the existing grade on this proposed site for the height?” — South Orange Zoning Official Greer Patras

Gov. Murphy signed the “most significant housing legislation in four decades” on March 20. Maplewood officials wish there had been more opportunity for municipal feedback.

Hodge said that the SID is requesting less money from the township for its annual budget and lowering the assessment rate for commercial properties — due to new buildings coming online.

Currently fewer than 10 properties in South Orange are designated and protected. Officials say they are looking to balance historic preservation with owners’ rights.

Priorities include limiting bulk in single family home renovations, balancing historic preservation with owner’s rights, pedestrian and bike safety & mobility, and fostering entrepreneurship in commercial districts.

“Following our ordinance, which is 20% inclusionary (and aggressive; most towns are at 15%), we will need to develop a total of 500 units over the next 10 years, along with the projects that are currently underway.” — Village President Sheena Collum