Ventnor commissioners introduce redevelopment plan for 2.3‑acre professional campus

The Ventnor City Board of Commissioners on March 27 introduced an ordinance to adopt a redevelopment plan for the Ventnor Professional Campus, a roughly 2.3‑acre parcel bounded by Ventnor and Troy avenues that extends toward Winchester Avenue.

Commissioner Lisa Langra described the project as an effort to “revitalize an area that has gone kind of dormant,” saying the concept keeps the historic front brick building for commercial use and would replace the rear two‑story building with residential townhomes. She added the plan envisions preserving exterior parking on Troy and New Haven avenues while increasing downtown residential activity.

Planning staff and project representatives and told the Commission the introduction is the first procedural step. Planner Jim Rella said the next step is for the Planning Board to review the redevelopment plan for consistency with the city’s Master Plan and return a letter with recommendations; the redevelopment plan, once adopted, will be used as the governing land‑use document for site review instead of the normal land‑use ordinances.

Commissioners and staff emphasized the early‑stage nature of the project. Mr. Plaer, a project representative, and other staff described concept drawings showing townhomes tucked behind the commercial frontage and said more detailed site plans and public presentations will follow the Planning Board’s review. Mayor Creel noted the process will include public review: “it’ll go to our Planning Board…they will report back to us with their recommendations,” he said.

The ordinance was introduced for referral to the Planning Board; no final zoning approvals or construction permits were granted at the March 27 meeting. The Planning Board’s findings and any subsequent design submissions will return to the Board of Commissioners for further action.