Opening the door to artistic enterprises

By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
   HILLSBOROUGH — A query from an artist has township officials drawing up plans for a new use in township commercial areas.
   The Township Committee unanimously introduced an ordinance Sept. 9 to permit art galleries, studios and other related businesses in the Town Center Zone on Route 206 between Amwell Road and Andria Drive, and on Amwell Road near Route 206, as well as the Gateway A and B districts, which adjoin and extend out from the town center.
   If approved, the ordinance would allow art studios for the creation of work, art education classes, and galleries where pieces can be exhibited to the public and sold.
   ”This will be appropriate for the Gateway districts and Town Center,” Bob Ringelheim, township planner, said at the meeting.
   This newly introduced ordinance will, if approved, amend the code to allow for the additional uses of the land in developing art-related businesses, as well as commercial instructional schools that are not run by the Board of Education, including karate and driver’s education.
   Mr. Ringelheim, in a separate interview, said a local artist approached the township about six months ago in the attempt to develop an art studio, but the particular business was not accounted for in the current code.
   ”This led to more potential tie-in uses related to art, including galleries, and art education and instructional activities, all of which would be assets in the new Gateway and Town Center districts,” he said. “This was something we wanted to encourage.”
   According to the Hillsborough Township Code, the Gateway A district serves as a transition between the Town Center and the highway, and is mainly located on Route 206, New Amwell Road and Amwell Road.
   Currently, the Gateway A district allows for offices, medical centers, theaters, bowling alleys, pools, banks, restaurants, public playgrounds, and other business and recreational opportunities.
   The Gateway B district is a transition zone between the Gateway A district and adjacent areas along the major roads.
   As written in the township’s code, the Gateway B district now provides for several of the same commercial opportunities, in addition to home occupations, child-care centers and single family dwellings, among others.
   Finally, the Town Center provides for mixed land use, including traditional neighborhoods, workplaces, shopping opportunities, interconnecting streets, open space areas, landscaped streets and a transportation system to keep people in the town for all their needs.
   Public hearing for the ordinance will be held on Oct. 14.