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Edison council tables change to subcommittee and adopts revised Amboy Avenue redevelopment ordinance
Summary
Councilmembers split over redevelopment changes for Amboy Avenue; Ordinance 2,233 was tabled and a subcommittee formed, while Ordinance 2,234 amending the Amboy Avenue redevelopment plan was adopted after public comment and roll-call votes.
The Edison Township Council on Sept. 25 tabled Ordinance 2,233 and formed a subcommittee to revisit proposed changes to redevelopment rules on Amboy Avenue, then approved Ordinance 2,234 — a separate amendment to the Amboy Avenue redevelopment plan — after a contentious public hearing.
Councilmember Poynter moved to table Ordinance 2,233 and asked the council to form a subcommittee to review minutes and other materials and return recommendations. After discussion over membership and procedure, the council voted to table the ordinance and appointed a subcommittee chaired by John Pointer with Margo Harris among its members.
The public portion for Ordinance 2,234 drew several residents who said the changes unfairly favored four-story development and that the process lacked broad outreach. One public speaker said, "They're stealing all the resources from this town" and urged the council to withhold approvals for redevelopment that would allow taller buildings in the Clara Barton area.
Council debate split along familiar lines. Councilmember Coyle said the ordinance was driven by a narrow group and criticized the outreach: "We did a once over, we were pushing this through" and "we're rushing for the few who show up to microphone." By contrast, the council vice president said the ordinance, while imperfect, should be codified promptly to slow ad-hoc development: "They are willing to accept the fact that the perfect is not the enemy of the good," and said she would vote yes.
Pointer, who said he has lived on Amboy Avenue and supported the half‑story distinction, argued the changes set the right conditions for future, lot‑by‑lot development and that some details could be updated later.
After deliberation the council voted to adopt Ordinance 2,234 on a roll call: Brasher Yes; Quayle No; Harris Yes; Patil Yes; Poynter Yes; Schmuel No; President Patel Yes. The ordinance will be implemented according to the normal ordinance-adoption timetable.
The tabling of Ordinance 2,233 and formation of a subcommittee were recorded as separate formal actions; the subcommittee will review public input and council suggestions and report back to the council for further action.
