The redevelopment of the St. Mary’s property stood out as the focal point of the meeting. Leah Fury Brer, who presented the plan, outlined its key features, which included the retention of the church worship space and the introduction of new housing units. The plan emphasizes the incorporation of affordable housing, with a stipulation that 15% of the units within the age-restricted multifamily residential buildings are designated as affordable. These age restrictions would apply to the entire building, targeting residents who are 55 years of age and older.

The board’s discussion on the St. Mary’s Redevelopment Plan also touched upon the physical layout of the proposed development, including issues such as the appropriate width for sidewalks and the placement of benches. A suggestion to expand the sidewalk area along East Atlantic Avenue was generally well-received, aligning with the aim to improve walkability and accessibility. The plan’s consistency with the borough’s existing master plan and the design guidelines for historic districts was repeatedly emphasized.

During the meeting, there was also a consideration of the board’s adherence to design standards, especially concerning the historic aspects of the redevelopment site. A representative from the Historic Preservation Commission voiced concerns about the lack of follow-up from the developer after the board’s recommendation for demolition. The board addressed these concerns by clarifying the process for future site plan approval and the importance of the developer meeting the borough’s design standards.

In addition to the discussions surrounding the redevelopment plan, the meeting agenda also included the board’s annual reorganization. This segment involved swearing in new members, which included Patricia Mich, Kate Haron, Jennifer Bonaccorsi, and John Schmidt, who were appointed for varying term lengths. The appointments of key positions within the board, such as the chairperson, vice-chairman, and secretary, were executed, alongside the designation of professional roles including the board solicitor, engineer, and planner.

The board also passed several resolutions during the reorganization segment, which included setting the meeting schedule for 2024, designating newspapers for meeting notices, and fixing charges for such notices. This was followed by the approval of minutes from the previous meeting and three resolutions that had been tabled in the prior month.

The meeting opened up to public comments, allowing community members to voice their opinions and suggestions, like the proposal for the expanded sidewalk along East Atlantic Avenue. The board’s receptiveness to public input was evident throughout the meeting, with members considering the feedback when discussing the finer details of the redevelopment plan.