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Residents urge delay of hill redevelopment amid contaminated-well concerns
Summary
At a Lambertville council meeting, residents and some council members urged postponing decisions on a hill redevelopment project, citing stormwater risks after tree clearing and possible contamination of private wells; the city and state agreed to coordinate a source-investigation meeting.
At the regular Oct. meeting, residents pressed the Lambertville City Council to delay action on a proposed redevelopment project on a steep hill, saying tree removal and added impervious surface would increase stormwater runoff and risk downstream properties.
"Nature brings the rain; man makes it worse," said Jeff P, who lives on Wilson Street, urging the council to reconsider the hill site and to seek alternative locations for affordable housing. Several neighbors described widely varying well-test results nearby and asked for a coordinated source investigation.
Council members and staff said they have been communicating with the state. The mayor and staff reported that the state assistant commissioner for contaminated-site remediation has been contacted and a virtual meeting is being scheduled — likely the week of Nov. 25 or the first week of December — so Department representatives can answer residents’ questions about wells and testing protocols.
Council members also discussed legal and planning constraints tied to the city’s affordable-housing obligations. At an Oct. 3 meeting with planners and the city’s affordable-housing attorney, staff said the five rental units currently required under a settlement tied to the police-station site could rise if the town renegotiates terms with the court or other parties. That potential increase was cited as another reason to clarify the city’s obligations before reintroducing amendments to the redevelopment plan.
Residents asked for more data. Multiple speakers requested the city compile and share well-test numbers and mapping to help identify patterns; staff confirmed the city and county hold submitted results and will coordinate with the state’s source-investigation team.
Next steps: City staff said they will circulate the confirmed date for the state’s virtual Q&A and keep Hill-area residents informed. Council members repeatedly urged patience while court and state processes continue and emphasized that any redevelopment-plan changes would require reintroduction and potentially additional public hearings.
The meeting did not include a final decision on the redevelopment plan; council members said the plan is presently tabled while questions remain.
