By JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
SOUTH AMBOY — The city is looking to make planning and zoning changes to the business district on Broadway.
On Sept. 7, city Planner Angelo Valetutto and Zoning Officer Jason Valetutto, his son, presented recommendations about the nature of permitted businesses on Broadway — and how they are allowed to look.
The two are working together to examine whether additional permitted uses on Broadway would help its economic viability.
“Like anything else in life, we just have to adjust to the times,” Angelo Valetutto said at the meeting, adding that Jason Valetutto currently has little flexibility when it comes to which kinds of businesses can be approved to open on Broadway.
Current permitted uses reflect the intent to have Broadway present a turn-of-the-20th-century look, but some of the allowed uses are businesses no longer viable because of the technology involved (such as record/CD/DVD shops) or the economy.
As per the current B-1 zoning, Angelo Valetutto said the goal is to house businesses likely to attract foot traffic. The highways in South Amboy are primarily B-2, he said, and are designed for heavier business use.
“The task that we were assigned was to expand the permitted uses in the B-1 Business Zone within South Amboy, which is the neighborhood business zone and is primarily Broadway,” Angelo Valetutto said after the meeting. “The additional uses will be to support and encourage the newly created South Amboy Arts District.”
He added that until the effort is further along, he is not able to cite specific types of businesses that may be added.
Another goal of the Valettutos’ efforts is to create clarity where there is currently confusion. Some of Broadway is in a redevelopment zone, so the permitted uses in the redevelopment zone are different from the general B-1 uses.
During the presentation, Angelo Valetutto also said the two are moving ahead with the council’s request to have them make recommendations regarding window, façade and sidewalk signage.
“What we’re looking to do is rein it in,” he said.
He said he thought Jason Valetutto should do a survey of the businesses to find out what signage is being used. He said city officials are in agreement that rolling or flashing neon signs should not be allowed, but there are some examples of signage where the appropriateness is more subjective. He said he and Jason Valetutto would be looking into sandwich-board signs as well and how they could be used by the businesses without inhibiting foot traffic. Angelo Valetutto said there were safety concerns as well, as flashing signs in particular can be distracting to drivers and could potentially cause an accident.
Business Administrator Camille Tooker pointed out that there is a Broadway Design District ordinance that covers the signage policies businesses are supposed to follow.
“I think the issue is coming in where the city code and that particular ordinance do not mesh, so that’s what we’re really doing, is clarifying,” she said.
“We want to be both on the same page,” Jason Valetutto responded.
Angelo Valetutto said he and Jason would be developing recommendations to present to the council. From there, ordinances would be drafted and adopted.