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Engineer's recommendation to remove decorative islands sparks debate over Northfield Plaza lights and road paving responsibility
Summary
City Engineer told Council the decorative islands on Northfield Plaza are in the right-of-way and recommended removing them and installing pole lights; Council members raised aesthetic concerns. The Council also learned the County declined to fund Zion/Mill Road paving and recommended the City include it in next year's capital plan.
Engineer Nassar told Council the decorative islands at Northfield Plaza "were in the right of way" and said Atlantic City Electric should address the lighting. He recommended removing the islands and installing standard pole lights after noting the islands were not landscaped and did not provide much illumination.
Council members debated the proposal: some emphasized residents’ affection for the decorative fixtures and their aesthetic value, while others warned that replacing the islands could lead to repeated nonstandard installations. Separately, Mayor Chau reported a letter from County Executive Levinson indicating the County will not pay for paving on Zion/Mill Road and suggested the City budget the work in next year’s capital plan; Engineer Nassar said the City had contributed to the underlying issue and the County declined funding.
Council asked Chief Pollak to examine existing lighting and requested a recommendation from the Police Department before making a final decision on altering the plaza islands.
