Council authorizes Planning Board studies of Morris Canal plan and abandoned properties list

Planning staff brought two land‑use items before the caucus: a request to authorize the Planning Board to study amendments to the Morris Canal Redevelopment Plan (Berry Lane Park North) following an April community meeting, and a separate resolution asking the board to investigate a set of tax map parcels as potential areas in need of redevelopment with condemnation authority.

Matt (City Planning) said the amendment request follows community feedback collected in April and a survey of neighborhood priorities; he noted a contract purchaser (NRP Properties LLC) had met with the community and that the study would begin the public outreach process required under state redevelopment law. Councilors flagged that community benefits such as a rec center were a recurring concern and asked whether removing a rec center clause was being proposed; Planning staff said outreach will determine possible changes and that any amendment must return to the council as an ordinance after Planning Board review.

On the abandoned properties list, staff told councilors the list was submitted by the Division of Housing Preservation and that the intent is to inventory conditions, remove ineligible parcels from any designation, and explore rehabilitating properties for affordable housing or to support homeless services. Council members emphasized that site visits are needed and requested that properties with active permits or known buyers be flagged and potentially removed from any condemnation path.

What’s next: Planning staff will conduct site visits, refine the list and hold public outreach. Any ordinance amending redevelopment plans or designating areas in need of redevelopment would return to the council for a vote after Planning Board hearings.