The Howard Street zoning changes were a focal point of debate, with many residents expressing dissatisfaction over the perceived lack of adequate public input. The re-examination of the master plan brought to light discrepancies between previous residential development plans and the current industrial designation. Moret criticized the lack of public hearings prior to drafting the master plan, contrasting it with past efforts to engage community input for riverfront development.

In response to these concerns, a board member clarified that a public hearing was held at a previous meeting. However, the discussion revealed ongoing public dissatisfaction, with Moret emphasizing the long-term impact of the master plan on local residents and questioning the extent of public participation in drafting the document.

Fred Stan, from the Delaware River Keeper Network, echoed the call for more community engagement, arguing that significant land use changes require comprehensive public input beyond anecdotal data and voting trends. He suggested that charrettes could be utilized to effectively capture public opinion on the transition to industrial warehousing. Concerns about the rapid timeline for reviewing the Howard Street changes were also raised, with clarifications provided that the revised report had been circulated to the board earlier in the month.

Environmental and climate-related considerations were another critical aspect of the meeting. The board recognized the need to incorporate climate hazard assessments into the master plan, aligning with new state legislation. Sarah Hair, representing the Hope Environmental Commission, highlighted the potential negative impacts of warehousing, including increased flood risk and adverse air quality, urging the board to consider these factors in their planning processes. The board expressed interest in sustainable initiatives and acknowledged the necessity of integrating climate assessments into future updates.

The board also discussed the implications of state-mandated updates to the land use plan to include electric vehicle infrastructure, hazard mitigation, and stormwater management. The ongoing need to address substandard intersections and streets was reiterated, with the circulation plan mentioned as a vital tool for addressing these issues.

Zoning map updates were another significant topic, focusing on the i1 Zone east of Warren Street and the B2 Zone along Route 22. Recommendations from prior corridor improvement plans were considered, with ongoing efforts noted to enhance the Route 22 Corridor standards. The merging of zoning districts and proposals for residential infill were also reviewed, reflecting efforts to adapt to evolving community needs.

The legal and procedural constraints on the board’s authority to alter zoning were clarified, emphasizing that only the town council can enact such changes. The current industrial status of the Howard Street area, despite ongoing litigation, was reaffirmed, with board members considering options for further public engagement.

A motion was made to defer the vote on the re-examination report to the next meeting, allowing additional time for public feedback on the recent updates. The decision to carry the discussion forward without further notice was approved, with the meeting scheduled to continue on January 23, 2025.