JESPY Center

The Board voted in the affirmative but also raised alarms about usage in putting conditions on the approval. ‘This building Is geared for growth,” said Board member Michael Miller.

“I think we’ve both tightened up and clarified the old ordinance and made sure that there’s a full opportunity for property owners to be heard,” said Historic Preservation Commission Counsel Bill Sullivan.

“It would really be great if the professionals spoke offline about these things before the meeting so that we don’t have these conversations in real time.” — South Orange Planning Board Chair Harold Colton-Max.

Testimony was still not completed following a special South Orange Planning Board meeting on August 14.

UPDATE: The June 27 Special Planning Board meeting for the JESPY Center site plan has been canceled and will be rescheduled.

Village Green contacted JESPY House to ask about the potential purchase of 66 Prospect Street and an amended plan for JESPY Center; a spokesperson responded, “we’re not issuing any public statement on that right now.”

“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.

Commissioners said they supported JESPY’s mission but hoped for adaptive re-use, or “better” design. Their recommendation is non-binding.