Planning Board Re-Examines Borough's Master Plan

Informal discussion regarding the re-examination of the borough’s master plan continued during the  Planning Board meeting Wednesday night where two representatives of the engineer group Remington and Vernick of Haddonfield went over details of the draft with the planners.

Every six years the borough re-examines its master plan. Currently the borough’s planners are working with the engineers on recommendations for the plan which serves as a blueprint for future plans and projects. Planning board members expect to have more informal discussions with the engineers before the plan is ready to be presented for public hearing.

Engineers Christopher Brown and George Stevenson outlined some of the recommendations in the draft which include adding a green building and environmental sustainability plan for any future ordinances that would speak to renewable energy. Stevenson explained that whether it’s a new plan or an enhanced one it’d be in the borough’s best interest to include this in the master plan.  

Some other suggestions included going into a comprehensive tree management plan for the central business district and to incorporate more intensive landscaping to add to the beautification of the borough.

As for redevelopment, the engineers cited areas of the borough deemed in need of improvements and answered planners’ questions as to what the process would be.

Stevenson explained that if certain criteria is present that deems an area in need of redevelopment the planning board can designate the area as such in the master plan and this recommendation can go to the governing body who can act on it if the borough chooses. However just because the area has been designated in need of redevelopment in the master plan does not mean that the borough then has to   act on it. The master plan works as a foundation for the future, the engineers said.

Regarding the master plan Mayor Rose Heck stated that they can take advantage of the fact that they can look towards the future of Hasbrouck Heights and come up with ideas for the betterment of buildings that are aging and in need of upgrades.

Other suggestions for redevelopment area designation included the area on Terrace Avenue near Washington which was formerly Sylvester’s Restaurant.  Henry Dobelaar, board chairman, said the board would like to see that area be redeveloped into some viable real estate for the community.