Planners Want Input From the Public Regarding Master Plan

Planning board members say they want public input in regards to the re-examination of the borough’s master plan, a document that serves as a blueprint for future plans and projects which is required to be re-examined every six years.

The next step in the process is to present the draft of the revised master plan to the public at the May 4 meeting. Residents will have the opportunity to hear the details of the master plan and share their views during this public hearing.  

The planners continued their regarding the plan draft with the engineering group Remington and Vernick of Haddonfield to re-examine the master plans. Wednesday night the planners went over the most recent revisions to the plan which included the additions of areas recommended for redevelopment or revitalization and language that suggests a study for parking in the borough’s central business district.

“We are encouraging the public to make appropriate comments and questions,” stated Henry Dobelaar, Planning Board chairman.

Mayor Rose Heck said she wants to make sure the residents feel that they are as much a part of this as possible. 

During the April meeting, planners discussed some of the areas which should be considered for redevelopment or revitalization such as the Sylvester’s Restaurant location which is currently vacant. Wednesday night planners suggested adding the 180 and 182 Boulevard locations to the list as well. 

Engineers had explained previously that the planning board can cite these locations as recommendations for improvements but it does not necessarily mean they have to be acted on.

Engineer Chris Brown told the planning board that he and Nick Melfi, head of the building department, recently visited all the locations that were cited as areas for redevelopment or revitalization to do an initial review. Mayor Heck asked Brown if he had any recommendations for the sites at this point to which he said that will come later in the next step as more studying will be needed.

The mayor stressed that she is looking into plans for the future beyond the next six years overall looking towards the next 20 to 40 years as she wants to make sure Hasbrouck Heights maintains its level of excellence and high quality when it comes to future development.

The public hearing will be held Wednesday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m.  Dobelaar stated that if the public and the board are in agreement with the master plan it may be adopted that night, but if suggestions come out of the discussion at the public hearing it will be revised and adopted at a later time.