Highland Park Borough Council Discusses Adaptive Reuse Project and Film-Friendly Certification

The Highland Park Borough Council meeting focused on the redevelopment of 810 North Second Avenue and the potential for a film-friendly certification from the state of New Jersey, alongside updates on improvements along Woodbridge Avenue.

00:38The most notable topic at the meeting was the adaptive reuse plan for a property on North Second Avenue. The council revisited the redevelopment proposal, initially adopted the previous year, which involves transforming a small lab building into four residential units. The building, located between Cleveland and Wayside Drive, was the subject of a community meeting aimed at gathering feedback from local residents. Neighbors expressed support for the project, appreciating the sensitivity towards construction management and its impact on them.

04:11The redevelopment agreement is set to be formalized, as the property falls under a designated rehabilitation statute area. A draft agreement is ready for circulation, outlining the project’s progression to the planning board. The presentation to the council included illustrative slides of the site, highlighting the building’s modest facade and the planned improvements. A key consideration was the parking allocation, with one space per unit as per the redevelopment plan. The developer determined that adding more units was not financially viable due to parking constraints and rising construction costs.

11:20A query regarding affordable housing within the development was addressed, clarifying that the financial model could not accommodate such units given the current economic conditions. Despite some disappointment over the lack of affordable housing, the council recognized the necessity for increased housing options in the area. The project also includes ADA-compliant parking spaces, garbage storage, and bicycle storage areas. Landscaping improvements are planned, despite space limitations, with suggestions for additional greenery or street trees to be explored further.

16:50In a separate discussion, the council explored the potential of Highland Park becoming a film-friendly municipality. The initiative involves pursuing a film-ready certification from the state, which would position the borough as a favorable location for film productions. This certification requires a formal permitting process, expected to include a fee structure and insurance requirements. The economic benefits could be substantial, as film crews typically bring business to local restaurants and services.

21:01The council discussed identifying potential filming locations within the borough, with municipal properties and notable sites like the high school auditorium and the Doughboy statue being considered. To engage the community, there was a proposal to use a platform like Google Forms to solicit input on potential locations and services.

23:25Logistical considerations, such as staging areas for trailers and equipment, were acknowledged, but the council remained optimistic, citing successful examples from larger cities. The council committed to refining the proposal and gathering more community input in the coming weeks.

28:20Attention then turned to improvements along Woodbridge Avenue. The council reported on power washing experiments on the avenue’s curbs and sidewalks and the redesign of banners to enhance visibility. The new banners will feature white lettering on dark backgrounds, incorporating multilingual “welcome” messages. This design concept, developed by a design committee, aims to increase visibility and impact while meeting county specifications.

32:50Additional upgrades include the installation of benches and receptacles, with a focus on ease of maintenance. Plans to replace stone receptacles with fiberglass ones were discussed, as these are expected to be more durable and easier to manage. The council also introduced a facade grant initiative for residential properties, allowing for 100% grants to improve home exteriors, expanding the benefits previously available only to commercial properties.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

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