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Commissioner reports tree removals at 750 Walnut; residents question PILOT revenue and student costs
Summary
Commissioner Andrews reported contractor removals of dead and planted trees at the 750 Walnut development site and said the township expects future pilot payments and commercial tax revenue. A resident questioned whether the project will be revenue-positive after school and infrastructure costs.
Commissioner Andrews reported at the April 22 Township Committee meeting that contractors at the 750 Walnut development site recently removed 38 trees that had been planted the prior year and identified about 10 mature trees on the berm that are dead or dying and will be removed.
“And those trees are located on the berm itself between the two driveways,” Andrews said, adding that Hartz (the developer) could begin removing the trees and that he and the mayor will follow up during an upcoming engineering meeting to press for replanting.
Andrews and other committee members said the township expects future revenue from the commercial portion of the 750 Walnut project and from pilot payments that will become available once development is finalized. Mayor Terrence Curran said forward projections indicate the development will “help the township,” but he did not provide a detailed revenue estimate during the meeting.
During public comment, a resident identified as Mr. Thilly questioned the financial picture, saying the development’s commercial portion was expected to generate about $900,000 annually and pilot payments about $600,000, for roughly $1.5 million total; he also said additional school-related costs and infrastructure needs would reduce that benefit. The resident prefaced his figures as estimates and asked the committee to substantiate revenue claims before relying on them.
The committee also noted separate site concerns: Andrews said an installed crosswalk in the area had pooling issues; engineering staff devised a drainage fix that will require a resolution at a future meeting to authorize minor repairs. Andrews said the committee expects Hartz to replant trees that died after last year’s plantings as well as replace trees that were removed because they were mature and dying.
Ending
Committee members said they will follow up at engineering meetings and with the developer to seek replanting and to authorize the small drainage repairs needed at the crosswalk. Residents with further questions were advised to raise them during upcoming workshop sessions or to contact township staff.
