Businesses flocking to downtown?

Lawrence moves to expand commercial district.

By: Lea Kahn
   An ordinance that would extend the Neighborhood Commercial-1 zone in the village of Lawrenceville sailed through Township Council on introduction Tuesday night. A public hearing on it is set for March 4.
   The ordinance, which amends the township’s Land Use Ordinance, would rezone five lots on the west side of James Street — starting at the corner of Gordon Avenue.
   It would change the zoning on four lots on the north side of Gordon Avenue, plus three lots behind properties that have frontage on Main Street, north of Gordon Avenue.
   But at the request of a neighbor, Township Council decided to eliminate the proposed rezoning of a portion of the former Johnson Trolley tracks, which is in private hands. Most of the former trolley line right-of-way belongs to the township.
   The request to rezone the parcels from residential to NC-1 — which allows a mix of residential and commercial uses — was suggested by the Lawrenceville Main Street, Municipal Manager William Guhl said. The group is an outgrowth of the Main Street Project, which revitalized the business district in the village of Lawrenceville.
   Not so long ago, there were a number of vacancies on Main Street, Mr. Guhl told Township Council. But with improved conditions and growing interest in the revitalized Main Street business district, there are not enough available spaces for businesses that want to open up, he said.
   But Manning Lane resident Mary Ball said she objected to including a portion of the former trolley tracks right-of-way in the proposed rezoning. The trolley tracks are "historical," she said, and the zoning should not be changed. She added that she would not like to see the trees cut down on the wooded trolley right-of-way.
   Mr. Guhl suggested deleting the trolley tracks from the proposed rezoning, and the council agreed. Perhaps the issue of zoning for the right-of-way could be revisited another time, he said. It may warrant more discussion, he added.