The Township of Clark Council on July 21 adopted an ordinance consenting to the transfer of a 39-unit Westfield Avenue project to a new developer and accepted a 2% transfer fee associated with the assignment. The transfer ordinance (25-23) was adopted by roll call, with Council member Hunt recorded as abstaining.

Planning and legal staff explained the measure simply transfers existing finance and pilot agreements from the current developer to a new builder who will complete the project. "This is just to transfer the 39 unit project on Westfield Avenue to a new builder, and it also comes with a 2% transfer fee," a municipal official said during discussion.

Separately, the council introduced Ordinance 25-25, an amended and restated Westfield Avenue redevelopment plan that adds the Citizens Bank property to the redevelopment area. The ordinance authorizes the town to designate properties as an area in need of condemnation redevelopment under criteria including substandard or unsafe conditions, vacancy and obsolescence and to pursue smart-growth opportunities; the public hearing for the ordinance is scheduled for Aug. 18.

Officials said one building on the block has been vacant since May 2007 and another since March 2023, and that the addition of the Citizens Bank lot would allow the township to pursue cohesive redevelopment strategies for the corridor. No changes to tax or pilot structures were adopted at the introduction stage; final approvals and any financial details will be addressed at the public hearing.