Verona Planning Board Considers Redevelopment and Affordable Housing Adjustments
- Meeting Overview:
The Verona Town Planning Board meeting on January 23, 2025, focused on identifying a property in need of redevelopment and assessing affordable housing requirements. Key discussions centered around the condition of a property on Bloomfield Avenue and adjustments to affordable housing unit requirements due to discrepancies in data.
21:33The board delved into a analysis of a property located on Bloomfield Avenue, which has been characterized by significant deterioration and failing to meet modern land use planning standards. The property’s condition was evaluated against “Criterion D,” which considers site improvements and the overall design. The property was designated as an area in need of rehabilitation, bridging the ETC Zone and TC Zone, thereby serving as a gateway into the latter.
The examination included findings from a property visit that took place on September 11, 2024, where various conditions were documented. The property features a principal barn-like structure at the northwest corner, mostly surrounded by an asphalt parking area, alongside a large greenhouse and several accessory structures. Concerns about the site’s accessibility were raised due to unclear entrance and exit points and the lack of defined parking spaces. A tractor trailer blocking an egress point highlighted the inadequacy of the current design. The greenhouse, despite its longstanding presence, showed visible signs of neglect, including cracked pavement and sagging roofs on wooden structures.
40:57There was also a discussion about the environmental state of the site, specifically the presence of underground storage tanks. The property owner acknowledged these tanks and expressed intent to remove them as part of the redevelopment process, in compliance with state regulations requiring oversight by a Licensed Site Remediation Professional. The review of police records related to traffic incidents revealed no significant accidents, although concerns about site navigation persisted.
21:33The board’s recommendation was to designate the property as an area in need of redevelopment without resorting to eminent domain. This decision was based on the obsolescence in building and site design, coupled with maintenance issues. Despite the principal barn being in good condition, the rest of the property, including accessory structures, exhibited significant neglect. One board member who visited the site described it as resembling a dump. Another member noted the property’s charm and contribution to the town’s character.
0:28Further discussions addressed affordable housing requirements. The deputy manager presented an update on affordable housing initiatives, informing the board that a resolution had been passed by the council concerning the fourth round of affordable housing requirements. Initially, the need was identified as 173 units, but it was adjusted to 149 units due to state and local data discrepancies regarding available parcels. The planning board was tasked with assessing vacant land to determine realistic development potential, possibly reducing the required units further.
The ongoing review process was emphasized, involving collaboration with the affordable housing planner and the master plan subcommittee. The deputy manager highlighted the importance of this collaboration in ensuring the town meets its affordable housing obligations effectively.
58:27The board also discussed procedural matters, including the drafting of a resolution to formalize the recommendation of the property as an area in need of redevelopment. Additionally, technical improvements for future meetings were considered, with proposals for live streaming via Zoom and a tentative six-month timeline for implementation, contingent on budget considerations involving state funding.
Christopher Tamburro
Planning Board Officials:
Jack McEvoy (Deputy Mayor), Kevin O’Sullivan, Alex Roman, Jessica Pearson (Chairperson), David Freschi (Vice Chairperson), Al DeOld, Tim Camuti, Jesse Lilley, Jason Hyndman, Jeremy Katzeff (Alternate #1), Julie Parker (Alternate #2), Greg Mascera, Esq. (Planning Board Attorney), San Chavan (Planning Board Planner), Kathleen Miesch (Acting Planning Board Secretary)
-
Meeting Type:
Planning Board
-
Committee:
-
Meeting Date:
01/23/2025
-
Recording Published:
01/29/2025
-
Duration:
77 Minutes
-
Notability Score:
Routine
Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:
-
State:
New Jersey
-
County:
Essex County
-
Towns:
Verona
Recent Meetings Nearby:
- 05/22/2025
- 05/22/2025
- 70 Minutes
- 05/22/2025
- 05/22/2025
- 205 Minutes
- 05/21/2025
- 05/22/2025
- 104 Minutes