Clark Township Council adopts recreation-fee change, accessory-structure rules and $996,300 bond; names redeveloper for Westfield/Broadway site
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Summary
At its Nov. 17 meeting, the Township of Clark Council unanimously adopted three ordinances — changing how recreation program fees are set, updating accessory-structure rules (sheds/gazebos/pools) and approving a $996,300 bond for storm damage repairs — and approved a resolution naming Clark Broadway Associates LLC as conditional redeveloper for properties on Westfield Avenue and Broadway.
The Township of Clark Council on Nov. 17 unanimously adopted three ordinances and approved a redevelopment resolution, moving forward with routine local rule changes and a bond to repair storm damage.
Council President Bill Smith opened the night’s public hearings and recorded no public comment on Ordinance 25-31, which amends Chapter 145 to allow the council to set recreation program fees by resolution rather than by ordinance. Business Administrator Jim explained the change was intended to give the administration flexibility to adjust program costs by resolution while retaining council oversight. The ordinance was adopted by roll call with all members voting yes.
The council also adopted Ordinance 25-32, which clarifies rules for residential accessory structures and consolidates pool regulations. Jim said the ordinance increases the allowable square footage for certain accessory structures to 200 square feet and preserves existing setback requirements. The measure passed on a unanimous roll call.
Bond Ordinance 25-33 was approved to appropriate $996,300 for infrastructure projects related to storm damage. Jim told the council the funds will pay for repair of a retaining wall off Oak Ridge near the park, storm drain repairs and installation of a gabion retaining wall off Deerwood — work identified after damage from the July storm. The ordinance was adopted by unanimous roll call.
During the consent agenda, council approved routine transfers and items including a $600,000 capital project program revenue insertion and an appointment to the volunteer fire department. The consent agenda also included a tax appeal settlement for Block 142, Lot 4.0101 with credit issued in the amount of $193,410.67.
Separately, by resolution the council named Clark Broadway Associates LLC as conditional redeveloper for properties identified as Block 105, Lots 1.0120, 01 and 26.01 (listed on the agenda as 52 and 56 Westfield Avenue and adjacent Broadway parcels). Mayor Angel Albanese and the business administrator said the designation is conditional on closing and developer qualifications; the developer is expected to present planning materials to the planning board on Dec. 4.
Council members and administration emphasized that the redeveloper designation is a procedural step to allow the property to be included on the planning board agenda and that any sale or tax-abatement agreement (such as a PILOT) would require separate approvals. The meeting record shows unanimous roll-call votes for the three ordinances and the redeveloper resolution.
The council set public hearings for several introduced ordinances (25-34 through 25-38) on Dec. 15 and closed the meeting after routine closing remarks and community announcements.
