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Trenton council approves multiple city property sales, including one to a public commenter
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Summary
At its March 3 meeting the Trenton City Council approved a consent agenda that included several sales of city-owned parcels, notably a second-reading approval selling 340 Rutherford Ave. to public commenter Vladimir Castillo for $12,500. Several members recorded abstentions on individual items; no public speakers opposed the sales.
The Trenton City Council on March 3 approved a series of ordinances selling city-owned parcels and carried a broader consent agenda that included personnel and conveyance actions.
At the start of the public docket, Vladimir Castillo introduced himself and described his background as a licensed HIC and registered commercial contractor who has completed grant-funded TURP and ARP projects in Trenton. Later in the meeting Council conducted a second reading and public hearing for Ordinance 26-005, which authorizes sale of 340 Rutherford Avenue (Block 4403) pursuant to NJSA 48:12-13(c) to Vladimir Castillo for $12,500. No members of the public addressed that ordinance at the hearing and the council voted to approve it. The roll call recorded five affirmative votes and one abstention from the council president.
Council also approved a string of additional property-sales ordinances and transfers as part of the consent calendar, including sales identified in the record as Ordinances 26-009, 26-010, 26-011, 26-012 and 26-018 (addresses and sale prices listed in the official docket). Several items drew isolated abstentions noted on the record; council members explicitly moved some items to individual roll call votes when requested.
The agenda also included an ordinance (26-019) rescinding a previously authorized sale and amendments to the Department of Housing and Economic Development code (26-020) to create or adjust an economic development representative position. Conveyances to Mercer County under state statute and other transfers were approved amid questions about process and documentation.
Council members asked administration staff for clearer packet materials on at least one development matter. Councilwoman Feliciano asked for LLC formation documents, the original 2007 resolution referenced in the docket and the specific addresses tied to a disposition agreement related to Vista Center Development LLC; the council requested those documents be provided in writing before the next meeting and tabled or pulled that ordinance for follow-up as appropriate.
What happens next: The approved ordinances will be processed according to the city’s closing procedures and the sale and transfer documents will be recorded in the city’s land records. Council asked staff to circulate requested documentation on the Vista Center matter and to provide notice to prior applicants where a previous sale was rescinded and properties were put back on the market.
Sources: Council meeting March 3, 2026; roll-call votes and clerk’s reading of ordinance titles (city docket).
