TOWNSHIP OF BERKELEY HEIGHTS
PUBLIC NOTICE PLANNING BOARD TOWNSHIP OF BERKELEY HEIGHTS 29 PARK AVENUE BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ 07922 Pursuant to this PUBLIC NOTICE of the Planning Board of the Township of Berkeley Heights (“Board”), the Board states that: WHEREAS, the New Jersey Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1, et seq. (“LRHL”), authorizes municipalities to determine whether certain parcel(s) of land situated within the municipality constitute an area in need of redevelopment; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the LRHL, no parcel(s) of land shall be declared an area in need of redevelopment without the municipality having first authorized its planning board, by way of resolution, to undertake a preliminary investigation to determine whether the subject parcel(s) meet the statutory criteria of an area in need of redevelopment as defined in the LRHL; and WHEREAS, the Township Council of the Township of Berkeley Heights (“Township Council”), by way of Resolution No. 271-2013, adopted on November 18, 2013, authorized the Board to undertake a preliminary investigation of the area consisting of Block 608, Lots 1 and 4, and Block 504, Lots 5 and 6, including that portion of the Columbus Avenue right-of-way extending from the western limit of Block 504, Lot 6, to the New Jersey Transit property line to the north, and that portion of the Berkeley Avenue right-of-way extending from the New Jersey Transit boundary line to the north to the Park Avenue right-of-way to the south, or any part thereof, as identified on the Official Tax Map of the Township of Berkeley Heights (“Property”) to determine if the Property meets the criteria set forth in the LRHL and should be designated as an area in need of redevelopment except that any redevelopment area determination shall not authorize the Township of Berkeley Heights to exercise the power of condemnation or eminent domain to acquire any property in the delineated area; and WHEREAS, the Township Council, by Resolution No. 62-2013, authorized a professional services contract with Harbor Consultants, Inc., to conduct such preliminary investigation, which the Board was authorized to utilize in connection with same; and WHEREAS, on December 4, 2013 the Board considered, upon referral from the Township Council, Resolution No. 271-2013 and voted to authorize Harbor Consultants to prepare a map of the Property, including a statement setting forth the basis for the investigation, and to perform a preliminary investigation of the Property to determine whether the Property is an area in need of non-condemnation redevelopment pursuant to the LRHL; and WHEREAS, on January 30, 2014, the Board, having determined that certain members who participated in the action taken on December 4, 2013 may have a conflict, reconsidered Resolution No. 271-2013 and the Board, excluding the recused members, voted to authorize Harbor Consultants to prepare a map of the Property, including a statement setting forth the basis for the investigation, and to perform a preliminary investigation of the Property to determine whether the Property is an area in need of non-condemnation redevelopment pursuant to the LRHL. NOW THEREFORE, PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Planning Board of the Township of Berkeley Heights shall hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the Township of Berkeley Heights Municipal Building, located at 29 Park Avenue, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, at which time Harbor Consultants shall present a map of the Property and the findings of its preliminary investigation of the Property so that the Board may determine whether the Property is in need of non-condemnation redevelopment as defined by the LRHL. At the aforementioned time and location, members of the public, or those who would be affected by a determination that the delineated area is a redevelopment area, may appear in person or by attorney to present any objections or comments regarding the map and preliminary investigation of the Property. The Board shall also accept written objections and/or comments. A copy of the map, the statement setting forth the basis for the investigation and the preliminary investigation are on file in the Township of Berkeley Heights Municipal Building, Office of the Township Clerk, 29 Park Avenue, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, and available for public inspection Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Connie Valenti Secretary, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment Township of Berkeley Heights 29 Park Avenue Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 Phone: 908-464-2700, Ext. 2124 Fax: 908-464-3791 ($156.64) 019256