06:18The Morris Hill shopping center on Route 46, also known as the Brooks Moore area, was the primary topic of discussion. The board’s planner presented a comprehensive preliminary investigation, noting a significant decline in occupancy over the past five years. The center, which includes a movie theater, a bank, and two multi-tenant retail buildings, currently has an occupancy rate of just 14.6%. The movie theater has been closed since 2020 and is in a state of disrepair, with issues such as vandalism, broken windows, and exposure to the elements. The investigation highlighted the outdated and inefficient layout of the site, which has contributed to the vacancies and reduced desirability for potential tenants.

15:21The study found that the area met four criteria for redevelopment: the dilapidated state of the structures, significant vacancies, obsolete design, and its location in a metropolitan planning area. The board unanimously agreed to recommend the site as an area in need of redevelopment, which will now go to the council for designation. If the council approves, a redevelopment plan will be drafted and reviewed by the board and the council before any development proposals are submitted by potential developers.

12:26There was also a brief discussion on potential future uses of the site, with some board members expressing concern about rumors of large-scale residential development, including apartments. However, these concerns were noted to be outside the current scope of the planning board’s responsibilities, as the decision on permitted uses will be made during the redevelopment planning stage by the council.

01:33In other business, the board granted an extension for an application concerning a minor subdivision on Homell Road. Originally noticed for the January 6 meeting, the application has faced multiple delays due to changes in legal representation and responses to board professionals’ letters. The board decided to carry the application to the July 21 meeting without requiring the applicant to issue a new public notice, despite some initial reservations about the lack of notice for the ongoing extensions.