Sunnymead Landfill Redevelopment Plan Gets Approval From Hillsborough Planning Board

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A redevelopment plan for the Sunnymead Landfill is getting the approval of the Hillsborough Planning Board.

The Planning Board voted on June 11 to recommend adoption of ordinance 2026-07, which would establish the Sunnymead Landfill Redevelopment District and adopt a redevelopment plan for property on Sunnymead Road identified as Block 182, Lots 6 and 7.02.

The action came after the Township Committee referred the ordinance and plan to the board for review under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law.

Planning Director David Kois said the proposal covers about 14.83 acres, including the former Sunnymead Landfill and adjacent land in a non-condemnation redevelopment area.

He told the board they were not reviewing a development application. Instead, he said, the board was being asked to determine whether the redevelopment plan was consistent with the Hillsborough Township Master Plan and to send a recommendation back to the Township Committee.

"As outlined in my memo, it is my professional opinion that the redevelopment plan is substantially consistent with and designed to effectuate the goals and objectives of the Hillsborough Township Master Plan," Kois said.

He said the plan encourages reuse of "a previously disturbed property within an established industrial corridor" and directs development to a site already served by infrastructure.

Kois also said the plan requires compliance with landfill closure and post-closure requirements and is intended to protect monitoring systems, remediation measures and other safeguards tied to the former landfill.

He said the framework also supports future investment and employment-generating uses on a property that has long been constrained.

The ordinance would then go to the Township Committee for adoption.

If the ordinance is adopted, "it puts the redevelopment plan into effect, which means essentially that becomes the zoning for it," said Kois.

After that, he said, the owner or developer could apply to the Planning Board for site plan approval under the uses and standards in the redevelopment plan, with the usual public notice requirements.

During the discussion, Kois said the former landfill is in the I-1 light industrial district, with industrial uses across the street and south of the site, plus a railroad nearby.

He said permitted principal uses listed in the redevelopment plan include solar energy systems, Class B recycling facilities subject to EPA approvals, office buildings, self-storage, small-scale storage and distribution, manufacturing within enclosed buildings, research and development facilities, contractor facilities, and indoor and outdoor recreation facilities.

No members of the public came forward to comment.

The board then voted unanimously to find the ordinance in conformance with the township master plan and recommend adoption by the Township Committee at its next regular meeting.

Sunnymead Landfill Redevelopment Plan 5.23.2026 - FINAL by Alexis Tarrazi

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