The May 17th municipal meeting had the governing body approve to send the redevelopment plan for 10 West Westfield Avenue to the Municipal Land Use Board (MLUB) for their review under Resolution 173-18.
10 West Westfield Avenue – comprised of block 610, lots 1 & 3 – is more commonly known as the Sullivan property at the intersection of Westfield Avenue and Chestnut Street.
The 12-page document was prepared by Benecke Economics and confirms previous reports that stated the development would have 370 residential units. If the developer dedicates a minimum of 1,200 square feet of public office space on the ground or second floor free of charge or at a nominal lease rate, then the complex can have 380 units.
The six-story complex will have an open-air courtyard, and have 4,800 sq. ft. dedicated to commercial use on the ground floor. Listed in the plan was 1,000 sq. ft. dedicated to retail-permitted business, 1,200 sq. ft. for professional/business offices, 1,200 sq. ft. for a bank, and 1,200 sq. ft. for a restaurant.
The plan ends with a provision that if an affordable housing obligation is generated, it shall be addressed in the Redevelopment Agreement at the maximum rate of 15% of the total number of residential units (56 to 57 apartments) with preference to be given to veterans housing.
In the resolution, the Municipal Land Use Board has 45 days to review and provide its recommendation back to the governing body. If it is not done within that time frame, council shall be relieved of the requirement to obtain a Land Use Board Report.
At the May 17th meeting, the resolution was approved with only Councilman-At-Large Joseph DeIorio voting in the negative. He stated, “While I appreciate some of the items that are within this plan, I do have some concerns over . . . height and density. I’m not quite sold right now that it’s a plan that will give the borough the maximum benefit but, at the same time, I’m not closing my thoughts and mind to voting in the affirmative at a later time depending on what transpires with the Municipal Land Use Board.”
The councilman added that he and council were notified by Benecke that the plan could be changed even after the MLUB conducts its review and provides recommendations to the governing body.
The Municipal Land Use Board has the review of the Redevelopment Plan on the agenda for tonight’s meeting. It is set to start at 7 p.m. in the Roselle Park Municipal Complex located at 110 East Westfield Avenue.
A copy of the Redevelopment Plan is available below:
Download the Redevelopment Plan for 10 West Westfield Avenue (link)