LHS owner pays back taxes

Merrick Wilson’s application to build 52 single-family houses on the site of the former high school was dismissed by the Lambertville Planning Board in March.

By: Linda Seida
   LAMBERTVILLE — Merrick Wilson and his company, Academy Hill Inc., have paid $19,000 in back escrow funds owed to the city for a 26-acre site on Connaught Hill, helping to pave the way for a possible reapplication to the Planning Board for the site’s development plans.
   Academy Hill also paid off a small amount of back taxes, according to Planning Board Chairman Timothy Korzun, who added he was unsure of the amount. In the meantime, about $1,285 remains to be paid on the escrow money owed, with an additional $569 owed for professional services related to the original application, Mr. Korzun said during a meeting held May 7.
   In March, the Planning Board dismissed without prejudice Academy Hill’s application to build 52 single-family houses on the site and tear down the old high school. A dismissal without prejudice means Academy Hill can return to the Planning Board when it meets certain conditions, which include proving a supply of water is available and paying back taxes and escrow funds.
   Still at issue is whether United Water can serve the site. Academy Hill contends the company has supplied a letter from the utility stating delivery of water to the hilltop site is possible. The city, however, disputes this.
   "Show us the plan. Show us something, and you are good," Mr. Korzun told Academy Hill’s attorney, Lawrence Wohl of the law firm Archer and Greiner, located in Flemington and Princeton. "You don’t need every detail down to the nuts and bolts, just something to show you can make it happen."
   Planning Board engineer Robert Clerico said the board needs a letter of serviceability from the water company.
   "Right now, you’ve kind of got a letter of unfeasibility," Planning Board attorney William Shurts said.
   Mr. Wilson has owned the property for at least 12 years. More than a year ago, he and Academy Hill presented plans for development to the board. In the ensuing months, city officials complained about Academy Hill’s lack of attention to detail, calling it "sketchy." Becoming tired of such a lack of attention to detail, early in February the Planning Board gave Academy Hill and Mr. Wilson 10 days to meet conditions before it dismissed the application.