History of the Emerson Redevelopment: Part III (2009-2010)

This is the third in a series of updates on the factual history of redevelopment in Emerson.

Late 2008 - early 2009 saw a change in the philosophy of the Governing Body. The focus shifted away from the concept of appointing one single developer to take on all 59 properties that had been designated as comprising the redevelopment zone in 2006. I, as our Mayor, advocated for property owners to have another chance to develop their properties while we renegotiated with Millennium (our second choice redeveloper from 2008) to move forward with the 2006 Redevelopment Plan. (See link to my October 10, 2008 Mayor’s Update)

From December 10, 2008 through February 6, 2009, the Borough’s redevelopment files confirm that the Borough Administrator and I met with at least eleven (11) property owners in the redevelopment zone to discuss their ideas to improvements/redevelopment to their properties.

Our efforts had success in 2009! The construction of the Emerson Grand, the 18 family mixed use building on Emerson Plaza East, along with the re-purposing of the Tool Shed property, adjacent to the newly constructed Emerson Grand occurred with developers who purchased properties in the Zone with the goal of improving them.

The Redevelopment Plan required that any and all improvements to Kinderkamack Road be planned, accomplished and paid for by the redeveloper. Having determined that appointing a third redeveloper to develop the entire downtown was not feasible, I suggested to the Council that the Borough take the lead in moving forward with the Kinderkamack Road improvements. On January 28, 2009, Councilman Steven Bair (previously the Planning Board Chairman) and I met with our Borough Engineer “to address the commencement of procedures designed to finally accomplish the reconfiguration of Kinderkamack Road”. (See link to my January 30, 2009 Memorandum)

The 2009 Council unanimously agreed with my proposal for the Borough to take the lead in accomplishing the Kinderkamack Road improvements. On February 17, 2009, the Council adopted Resolution 59-09, which reads that “the Mayor and Council of Emerson is hereby making its commitment to improving Kinderkamack Road by working cooperatively with NJ Transit and the County of Bergen”. (See link to Resolution 59-09)

The Borough’s Concept Plan for the Kinderkamack Road improvements was sent to the County for preliminary review. By letter dated August 3, 2009, the County provided feedback to our Engineer’s Concept Plan. (See link to August 3, 2009 letter from the County of Bergen) The process was then moving forward at an acceptable pace.

On October 6, 2009, the Council adopted Resolution 196-09, entitled “Resolution Supporting Kinderkamack Road Improvements”, where the Borough affirmed “that it will not be moving forward with a single developer, full scale redevelopment that will add over 300 residential units along Kinderkamack Road”. (See link to October 6, 2009 Resolution) Soon thereafter, by letter dated October 22, 2009, the County, after review of the Concept Plan, wrote that “this is a workable roadway alignment concept”. (See link to October 22, 2009 letter from the County of Bergen)

By Ordinance adopted on May 4, 2010, the Council unanimously enacted changes to the 2006 Redevelopment Plan. Those changes included the following:
Once a parcel has been improved in accordance with the Redevelopment Plan’s requirements for streetscape, lighting, parking orientation and access, the property owner may seek recognition by the Mayor and Council that the site has been improved pursuant to the Plan’s streetscape, lighting and parking requirements, and therefore, will no longer be susceptible to eminent domain procedures. Existing sites that are already consistent with the Redevelopment Plan may also seek such recognitions by the Mayor and Council. (See link to Ordinance 1394-10)

In December 2010, I executed a Shared Services Agreement with the County of Bergen for the Kinderkamack Road improvements. (See link to December 2010 Shared Services Agreement)

During these two (2) years, the bi-partisan Council consisted of three Republicans, three Democrats and a Democratic Mayor.

In my next summary, I will address, to the extent possible, what occurred in the Borough from 2011 through 2014.

The above facts once again illustrate the time and effort that bi-partisan governing bodies have dedicated to help make sense of complicated issues while doing what is best for the Borough.

As usual, please feel free to reach out with any questions to mayor@emersonnj.org.

http://www.emersonnj.org/…/Mayor_Lamatina_Redevelopment_Upd…

http://www.emersonnj.org/…/Mayor_Lamatina_Memorandum_Kinder…

http://www.emersonnj.org/…/Letter_to_Bergen_County_Engineer…

http://www.emersonnj.org/…/Bergen_County_Letter_RE_Kinderka…

http://www.emersonnj.org/…/Resolution_196-09_Supporting_Kin…

http://www.emersonnj.org/…/Bergen_County_Letter_RE_Kinderka…

http://www.emersonnj.org/…/1394-10_Amend_Redev_ADOPT_5-4-10…