Town Center Designation Would Give Lacey Businesses A Boost, Committeeman Says

From the vantage point of Route 9 in Forked River, Lacey appears to have plenty of retail, even big box stores like Home Depot.

But the township could be even more business-friendly if it had the State Planning Commission's "Town Center" endorsement, Township Committeeman Gary Quinn said at the April 25 Township Committee meeting.

"The plan endorsement is something the town does not have at the current time," Quinn said. "It makes it difficult for development."

Without the Town Center designation, business properties in Lacey are limited to developing 30 percent of their sites. That number would jump to 70 percent with the designation, Township Administrator Veronica Laureigh said after the meeting.

That includes the Oyster Creek Generating Station property. Since the plant is slated to close in 2019, Lacey needs to attract another utility company to take its place on the Oyster Creek site, Quinn said.

"Without the plan endorsement, any future company is limited to 30 percent," Quinn said.

Lacey lost its plan endorsement in 2004, Laureigh said.

"The committee has a mission statement to move forward," Quinn said. "Not only for tax reasons, but for jobs for the people."