looks at 32-acre area
Adviser commissioned by Planning Board
looks at 32-acre area
By dick metzgar
Staff Writer
HELMETTA — A proposal developed by a professional planner is pending that could lead to a multi-million dollar project for the reuse of the old Helme snuff mill.
The mill went out of business in 1993 and has been vacant ever since. In September, the Borough Council, on the recommendation of the Planning Board, officially designated the 32-acre site, which includes the 14-acre mill, as a redevelopment zone.
Since then, the Planning Board has commissioned Stuart Wiser, a senior planner with the Toms River-based Remington Vernick & Walberg, as an adviser to help come up with a viable redevelopment plan for the old snuff mill site.
Wiser said his proposal on how the plan should proceed is ready for presentation to borough officials.
"If the proposal is approved, then we will proceed with the development of the plan, which will include determining what is the best new use for the mill facility," Wiser said. "Right now, we are in the development of the redevelopment plan, in which we will outline the goals and objectives for the area. This will also include how to address the impact on the streets in and around the redevelopment area."
There has already been a proposal to build luxury apartments on the site.
Matrix Development Group of Cranbury has a provisional agreement to purchase the snuff mill from Swisher International Inc., and has discussed the idea of building 294 luxury apartment units on the redevelopment site.
The rental units would be built in two of the three six-story buildings located on the site. The third building could encompass retail shops and light industrial uses, Matrix has said.
There has been opposition to the company’s $22 million proposal among borough homeowners, who fear that, in light of a recent 32-percent tax hike, building an apartment complex will bring more schoolaged children into the borough, which will ultimately cause school taxes to increase even more.
However, Mayor Frank Hague said it is imperative that a viable use be found for the old factory as soon as possible, and said he felt optimistic that this will happen in the near future.
"We have put a lot of work into the attempt of finding something for the reuse of that site," the mayor said. "I am hopeful that we will see some activity at the site in 2003, which will include actual construction work. I would like to see a mix of commercial and retail uses at the site along with the possibility of apartment units. We have stipulated that any builder of apartments must address the impact they would have on our schools."
It has been suggested that age restrictions be placed for any apartments, which would restrict the number of school-age children that would be living in them.
Hague said that because of residential building, the borough’s population has increased by a little more than 50 percent in the last 10 years.
The 1990 census showed Helmetta’s population to be 1,211, and that increased to 1,825 by the 2000 census.
"I think the redevelopment of this site will have a positive impact on our town," Hague said. "Bringing into town a commercial element will actually increase property values in town. I know that people are afraid of change, but because of the economics of the times, we must change, and this will give us an excellent opportunity for positive change. The redevelopment will create jobs for our residents."
The old snuff mill has been operating for more than 100 years, and was the biggest employer in Helmetta, especially during the early part of the 19th century, according to Joseph Sapia, the borough’s unofficial historian.
"The main product from the old mill was a dry snuff, which is a processed tobacco," Sapia said.
Helme moved the operation from Helmetta to Wheeling, W.Va., for economic reasons, Sapia said.
"The company had an existing facility there and moved the Helmetta operation there as well because of financial considerations that were offered," he said.