High Bridge council adopts amended 1 Main Street redevelopment plan with 40-year deed restriction for affordable units

Borough of High Bridge — The High Bridge Borough Council on April 11 adopted Ordinance 2024-010, the 1 Main Street Redevelopment Plan, after a public hearing that included detailed presentation from the borough planner and multiple residents’ concerns about historic preservation and unit counts.

Borough Planner Darlene Green presented the plan’s key elements including the addition of ten parking spaces near Main Street, options for using Center Street to ease truck traffic on Main Street, discussion of sewer capacity limits, and proposed credits toward Fourth Round affordable housing obligations. Several residents questioned the plan’s effects on downtown zoning and the preservation of historic building elements; one commenter urged the council to vote against the plan while others urged protections for historic components.

During the hearing the council unanimously approved a motion (Doyle/Graham) to amend the redevelopment plan to add the following deed-restriction language: "However, any affordable units credited towards the Fourth Round Obligation shall be deed restricted for a minimum of 40 years in accordance with P.L. 2024, c.2." The council then adopted the ordinance (motion to adopt Nowell/Graham). The roll-call adoption vote was Doyle, yes; Ferry, no; Graham, yes; Matos, yes; Silvestri, yes; Nowell, yes, producing a 5–1 outcome.

Mayor Michele Lee framed the development as a way to broaden private investment and increase tax revenue for the borough. Residents who spoke during the hearing raised concerns about reducing the downtown business zone footprint, the number of housing units proposed, and preservation costs; several urged private investors rather than borough funding for significant preservation work.

The amendment narrows a legal compliance question by adding the deed-restriction term for affordable units, and was presented to the council as a minor amendment to the Fourth Round obligation; Planner Green asked for the change during her presentation. The council did not vote to acquire the property — council members noted the parcel is privately owned — and discussion focused on the redevelopment plan’s standards and obligations.

The ordinance and its amendment are expected to be reflected in the borough’s redevelopment records and will be part of future planning and permitting steps for the parcel at 1 Main Street.