The meeting’s most issue revolved around the redevelopment agreement for the Lambertville High School site. Paul Stevens, a resident, expressed strong opposition to the proposed PILOT program, emphasizing the importance of incorporating environmental and traffic studies into the agreement. He urged the council to ensure that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection conducts a full environmental assessment and that traffic studies are performed to guarantee public safety and responsible planning for the proposed 200-unit development. Stevens’ concerns were echoed by other community members, who stressed the need for accountability and clarity in the redevelopment process.

In response to these concerns, the council acknowledged the ongoing discussions about the redevelopment agreement and assured residents that their feedback was being considered, although specifics about these considerations were not disclosed. The dialogue underscored a collective desire among residents for transparency and accountability in the redevelopment efforts.

Further inquiries by Beth Brian from Hancock Street highlighted negotiations with the developer, Khabian, questioning the status and composition of the city team involved. The council confirmed that public participation in reviewing agreements would be facilitated before finalization. Judy Gleason also raised concerns about the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) process and the vagueness in the redevelopment plan regarding contamination responsibility. She urged the council to define these terms clearly to avoid potential legal issues.

The council meeting also addressed various local issues, including construction hours, low-income housing legislation, and cannabis regulations. A council member proposed adjusting city ordinances to allow earlier construction start times. They emphasized the importance of early public input to ensure all perspectives are considered, encouraging residents to communicate their thoughts through email or the city website.

John, a resident, expressed concerns about the pending Assembly Bill A5350, which could prohibit municipalities from constructing low-income housing on polluted properties, potentially impacting the high school site development plans. He urged the council to consider alternative plans, citing past environmental remediation efforts and the need for accessible pollution testing wells.

Traffic concerns were also prominent, with residents highlighting issues related to the Union Chill cannabis dispensary. Diane Koshel noted increased traffic and parking volume on Elm Street, exacerbated by dispensary customers not utilizing designated parking lots. The council acknowledged these concerns, advising that violations should be reported to the police and city clerk for enforcement.

In urban development discussions, the council considered a resolution regarding tree removal in the public parking lot on North Union Street. Public opposition was noted, with several emails and petitions submitted by concerned citizens. The council discussed plans for improvements in the central business district, specifically addressing broken brick planters. The decision to remove trees remained contentious.

The meeting concluded with a focus on ongoing projects, including a challenging project involving soil removal and contamination testing. The project manager provided updates on the soil removal process, emphasizing daily oversight to prevent delays. The need for continued public patience was highlighted, with a recognition of the project’s complexity and the importance of transparency in local governance.