Hopewell planners ponder basketball court proposal

Board members decide to wait for input from Hopewell’s Master Plan Subcommittee.

By Lauren Graham Delehey
   At the May 4 Hopewell Borough Planning Board meeting, Hopewell Council and Planning Board member Mark Samse requested the board’s input on a recent proposal to construct a new basketball court on the railroad station property.
   After some discussion, members decided to wait for input on the matter from the Master Plan Subcommittee.
   The proposal was first presented to Borough Council by resident Lou Young, and has been discussed at several council meetings over the past few months. Having reached no conclusion on the issue, council resolved at its May meeting to seek comment from the Planning Board.
   Mr. Samse displayed plan drawings of the railroad station site, saying, "I’m not promoting this, I’m just the vehicle to help us graphically understand" what is being considered. There is an existing basketball court on the railroad station property with dimensions of about 33 by 45 feet. The proposed full-court would be approximately twice that size: 42 by 74 feet. Construction costs have been estimated at around $12,000 for a full-court; or $8,000 for a half-court. The borough might be able to offset these costs with a Neighborhood Revitalization Grant from Mercer County.
   Board member Brad Lyon asked, "How would this fit in with the Master Plan and with the regional recreational plan?" Ms. Lyon also inquired how much it would cost to repair the outdoor basketball court at Hopewell Elementary School.
   Board member and borough administrator/clerk, Michele Hovan, noted that, unlike the railroad station property, Hopewell Elementary School is not in a designated "Neighborhood Revitalization Zone." The county Neighborhood Revitalization grant would, therefore, not be available to offset the cost of refurbishing the elementary school court.
   Board member Paul Buda commented, "Its just too close to the train station. I don’t think it’s the right place for it."
   Following up on Ms. Lyon’s earlier question, Ms. Hovan said, "What would be the harm in waiting for the Master Plan Subcommittee to address recreation?" The board agreed to await comment from the Master Plan Subcommittee.
   IN OTHER BUSINESS, the Planning Board approved Certificates of Appropriateness for a proposed addition to the home at 14 Hamilton Ave. and for renovations to the home of Megan Ottman and Daniel Porcher at 83 W. Prospect St. The renovations to 83 W. Prospect St. will involve a change in the location of the front door, and the enlargement of a second floor window.
   The board also approved a minor subdivision and bulk variance application by Joseph B. Hill III, of Hamilton Avenue. A public hearing was held on Mr. Hill’s application at the Planning Board’s April 6 meeting. Mr. Hill, whose property fronts on both Hamilton Avenue and Lafayette Street, will create two new lots on Lafayette Street. Mr. Hill agreed to install sidewalks on the property within two years of the sale of the existing house or the first subdivided lot, and to place two street trees on each Lafayette Street lot.
   The Hopewell Borough Planning Board’s next regular meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1.