By Frank Mustac, Special Writer
HOPEWELL BOROUGH — Officials voted to continue the process of classifying some of the commercial and residential properties near the borough’s historic old railroad station as areas in need of redevelopment.
The Borough Council on Monday amended a resolution originally passed in early August authorizing and directing the Planning Board to undertake a preliminary investigation to redevelop the area that includes land parcels on Somerset Street to the east of the train station.
Language was added to the amended resolution specifying Hopewell Borough will not use eminent domain powers for redevelopment purposes.
Mayor Paul Anzano said the several properties identified by block and lot numbers in the resolution are “underutilized,” and he envisions the redevelopment process to be a collaborative effort between developers and borough officials.
“The good thing about the redevelopment concept is we can negotiate with the developer about what the redevelopment will be,” the mayor said by phone Tuesday, further explaining the process gives all parties involved “much more freedom to figure out how best to develop a piece of property” whether it be for commercial or residential use.
Hopewell Borough planner Frank Banisch, speaking at a council meeting back in July, described how designating an area in need of redevelopment, as stipulated under the state’s Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, can provide incentives for landowners to update buildings and facilities on their properties if those properties meet certain requirements.
Some of the requirements, Mr. Banisch said, include buildings on a property are in a state of disrepair; facilities on those properties are old and out of date; and buildings and other structures on a property have been destroyed by fire or other natural calamities.
The Local Redevelopment and Housing Law also provides a mechanism by which zoning can be changed for particular properties.
“We’re statutorily permitted to do this as a municipality, and we will do it in conjunction with the property owner,” Mayor Anzano said.
The Planning Board also has been directed to prepare a map showing the boundaries of the proposed redevelopment area and locations of the various parcels of property that qualify for redevelopment status, then present the map and recommendation to the Borough Council.
Mayor Anzano said he hopes properties will receive designations as areas in need of redevelopment by sometime early next year.
“There are a number of different ways the Planning Board can go,” Mayor Anzano said, adding the Planning Board would hire expertise and get back to the council on which is the best course.
