Montgomery committee designates about 11.9 acres as redevelopment area

The Montgomery Township Committee voted to designate approximately 11.9 acres of the undeveloped portion of Block 4020, Lot 1, as a non‑condemnation area in need of redevelopment under the New Jersey Local Redevelopment and Housing Law.

Township planning staff told the committee the planning board conducted a preliminary investigation and held a public hearing on June 10, finding the property met the statutory criteria for designation. A staff representative said, “the investigation study did support that the property… be an area in need of redevelopment,” and summarized that the parcel sits inside a broader redevelopment area adopted by the township in 2015.

The staff presentation noted prior phases of the general redevelopment plan have produced mixed uses and affordable housing — citing Montgomery Place, Casa Market and The Grove — while some parcels in the larger area remain undeveloped. Committee members discussed the planning board’s findings during the meeting before the committee moved and adopted the resolution.

On the roll call the measure passed with three affirmative votes and one abstention. The transcript shows the abstention was recorded during the roll call for this item.

What this means next: designation under the local redevelopment law allows the township to pursue redevelopment tools the statute authorizes; specific zoning changes, redevelopment plans or ordinances that would set a purchase price or authorize acquisition would be separate public actions and were not approved as part of this vote.

The committee moved on to other business following the vote.