By James M. Taylor
In most years as we begin summer things in the township begin to slow down as everyone heads off to enjoy summer vacations. However, this year it appears that summer will continue to be an active one in Cranbury.
On June 9, the township held a meeting to update residents on the property at the corner of South Main Street and Old Trenton Road. I’d like to clarify some of the confusion that occurred after the meeting.
By designating the area in need of redevelopment we do not avoid municipal land use law or additional layers of oversight provided by a land use board such as planning or zoning. In fact oversight is increased because the redevelopment plan will have to be approved by both the Planning Board and the Township Committee.
The process began by forming a subcommittee of Township Committee and Planning Board members to review the site, engineering reports, and planning reports then work on a suitable plan.
The subcommittee’s redevelopment plan proposal when ready will then go before the Planning Board for review, a hearing and a recommendation for approval to the Township Committee. This has not yet occurred and will be a public meeting before both bodies when it does.
When the builder is ready to develop the site they will submit an application and site plan to the Planning Board. The review will follow the normal approval process.
All of the actions taken on the approval of both the redevelopment plan and the site plan are conducted in public. Further, at this point there is no agreement on the number of homes that can be built nor have site plan details been agreed upon.
Lastly, it is important to note that we are actively engaging the Board of Education to ensure there are no concerns for our school system. In talks that have occurred to date with the Board of Education, we are comfortable that this development will not pose a risk to our relationship with Princeton High School. Three of the Township Committee members including myself have young children or a grandchild in our schools and thus involving the Board of Education and protecting the Princeton relationship is of paramount concern.
As we move forward into summer, July will continue to be busy. On July 1 at 7:30 p.m. our Zoning Board will be hearing an application from Alpha Healing Center. Alpha Healing is looking to take over the Staybridge Suites in Cranbury and operate a drug, alcohol and mental illness rehabilitation center. As a number of residents have voiced an interest in attending we will be holding the hearing in the Large Group Room at the school.
On July 5, we’ll be holding the annual fireworks display in Village Park.
On July 8, we will be filing our case before the court as it pertains to our protection under the changing affordable housing laws in the state. I want to thank our affordable housing subcommittee for the hours they have spent on preparing our case over the past months. We believe Cranbury has a strong position to maintain protection from a builder’s remedy as evidenced by our honoring Cranbury Housing Associates on Monday night for their 50 years of service to Cranbury.
On July 18, our business association will be hosting the annual “Touch a Truck” event in the Cranbury School parking lot. It’s a great time for the kids and adults as everyone can climb into and on the trucks.
Lastly, for our eighth-graders who just graduated from Cranbury School, it wasn’t long ago that I was one of you getting my eighth grade diploma from Cranbury School. I wish you all the best whether going to Princeton High School or to other high schools. I am sure your parents are proud of all that you have accomplished to date. You’re embarking on a great time in life over the next eight years. Enjoy it.
