The redevelopment of Liberty Village appears to be a central concern, with the Planning Board members expressing a need to thoroughly review the proposed plan. Confusion arose over the distribution of the redevelopment plan documents to members. An aspect of the plan that generated discussion was the western area of the existing parking lot, which is prone to flooding, and how this issue would be managed in the new development.

The board debated the complexities of the redevelopment, particularly focusing on the areas not included in the current phase one plan and their status. It was clarified that the old redevelopment plan would be repealed, yet the underlying zoning would remain. The recent changes in stormwater regulations were noted, with the redeveloper needing to adapt to these new requirements. The board emphasized the need for public access to the documents ahead of the hearing and the importance of consistency with the master plan. The timeline for introducing the pilot and the resolution with the redeveloper was also discussed.

Another topic was the condition in resolution 20246, which pertains to Bless Wellness LLC, a business that had previously been approved for use on November 23rd of the last year. The applicant requested a revision to the condition in the resolution that initially required them to obtain a letter of no interest from the Raritan Township Zoning Board. The proposed change would group Raritan Township’s approval with all other outside agency approvals, which the applicant argued would provide more certainty in moving forward, considering the potential shifts in cannabis regulations. The board deliberated on the implications of the amendment, considering the statutory provisions of the Municipal Land Use Law and the historical precedent of site plan approvals by both Flemington and Raritan.

The board and the applicant’s attorney engaged in a discussion about the importance of this condition and how it might impact the project, especially given Raritan’s current stance on cannabis uses. Members of the board voiced differing opinions on the necessity and potential effects of altering the wording. Ultimately, the board voted to adopt the language for the condition as suggested by the applicants, making the necessary updates to the resolution, along with other minor amendments discussed.

The meeting also touched upon other topics such as the upcoming agenda items and the planning board’s procedures. There was anticipation for submissions from Chick-fil-A and a resolution for Golden Heart homes in the March 2026 meeting. The board addressed the completeness checklist for applicants, emphasizing the importance of up-to-date tax, water, and sewer payments. Furthermore, the debate continued on whether to include reports from the mayor and council members in planning board meetings.