HOPEWELL BOROUGH PLANNING UPDATE
By Aleen Crispino, Special Writer
HOPEWELL BOROUGH — Hopewell Borough Planning Board has set up a task force to review zoning ordinances relating to the business zone (BR) and to recommend changes to the list of business categories allowed.
Planning Board member Daniel Horowitz will chair the task force. Board members Mark Samse and David Shymko also will serve. The board plans to solicit one member each from the Hopewell Borough Economic Development Commission and the Hopewell Business Association.
The task force will meet several times in the fall beginning Oct. 1 and report its recommendations to the Planning Board in January 2009, said board Chairman Bob Donaldson.
The BR zone is “actually six separate areas but the center of town is the primary area” along with Railroad Place across from Hopewell Railroad Station, said Borough Planner Carl Lindbloom.
At issue, said Mr. Lindbloom at the Sept. 3 board meeting, is what should be included in “personal services,” and what should remain or be added to “other permitted uses.” He recommended that the board also regulate the size of new buildings in the zone.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, Planning Board member Peter Macholdt commended Mr. Samse and all who worked to refurbish the streetscape at the intersection of Broad Street and North and South Greenwood avenues. The project was funded by a $150,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation.
Mr. Samse shared credit with the Streetscape Committee, Planning Board Engineer Dennis W. O’Neal and Borough Administrator/Clerk Michele Hovan, as well as Hamilton contractors Waters and Bugbee, who installed the new sidewalk, curbs, red brick and gray pavers and ornamental lamp posts.
The business community was happy with the minimal disruption of traffic during the project, said Mr. Samse “to the point where Brothers Moon served lunch to the workers.” He added, “We hope this will be the start” of further streetscape improvements to Broad Street.”

