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Orange council approves two Main Street redevelopment agreements and 23-year tax exemptions
Summary
The City of Orange Township council on June 3 approved redevelopment designations, financial agreements and community benefits agreements for two Main Street projects and adopted two ordinances granting 23-year tax exemptions despite resident objections over transparency and affordable-housing provisions.
The Municipal Council of the City of Orange Township on June 3 approved redevelopment designations and financial agreements for two Main Street projects and adopted ordinances granting 23-year tax exemptions tied to those projects.
Council President Wooten moved and the council approved Resolution 312-2026 designating VA 50M Urban Renewal LLC as redeveloper for multiple properties on Main Street and Oakwood Avenue, and Resolution 315-2026 designating NNJT 2022-0509 LLC as redeveloper for 410 Main Street and 15-17 Lincoln Avenue. Both resolutions passed by roll call (each recorded as six yays, one absent). The council then adopted Ordinance 23-2026 and Ordinance 24-2026, each authorizing a 23-year tax exemption and execution of a financial agreement with the respective redeveloper.
The measures together include executed community benefits agreements (CBAs) approved in separate votes. Business Administrator Chris Hartwyk read amended CBA language onto the record, and the council approved Resolutions 313-2026 and 314-2026 authorizing CBAs for the VA 50M and NNJT projects.
Why it matters: The ordinances authorize multi-decade tax-exemption terms and commit developer contributions through CBAs and financial agreements; council approval allows the projects to proceed toward implementation and triggers negotiated obligations such as developer contributions and hiring commitments.
What council members said: Council members who supported the measures framed them as necessary to advance redevelopment and secure public benefits. Councilwoman Hilbert raised traffic and scale concerns specific to the NNJT site (the former PNC Bank) and recorded a no vote on one measure, citing lack of affordable units. During the ordinance vote for the VA 50M project, the clerk recorded "four yes and two no" before stating the ordinance passed.
What administration said: BA Chris Hartwyk summarized the CBA language on the record, including a provision that any portion of a voluntary community benefit contribution remaining after the Washington Street firehouse rehab "shall be used at the sole discretion of the City Council for any lawful purpose." Hartwyk also noted that the financial agreements were structured for a 23-year term.
Public reaction: Several residents who spoke during the public-comment period urged greater transparency, questioned the length of tax exemptions and asked for clearer formulas tying additional properties (for example, an added parcel at 58 Main Street) to proportionate increases in community benefits. Alicia Rodriguez, a resident, asked whether the council had been shown feasibility studies justifying 23-year terms and urged an ordinance or committee to standardize CBA negotiation and public input.
What happens next: The ordinances passed first reading and will have final reading on the council’s June 16 meeting. Implementation steps include execution of redevelopment agreements and the administrative steps required before construction or tax abatement schedules take effect.
Ending: With approvals secured, the administration and redevelopers can finalize contracts and the council will return on June 16 for final readings and any remaining formal actions.
