Discussion Of Moorestown Mall As An Area In Need Begins Thursday

MOORESTOWN, NJ — A discussion on the possibility of designating the Moorestown Mall as an area in need of redevelopment goes before the Moorestown Planning Board Thursday night.

Michelle Taylor of Taylor Design Group will make a presentation during a preliminary hearing, according to the agenda posted on the township website. The meeting will be held virtually.

The meeting comes a week after the mall’s owners, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) entered into a rezoning agreement to allow a proposed apartment complex and hotel on the property. Read more here: Moorestown Mall Owner Anticipates $150M From Apartment Complex, Hotel

In October, Moorestown Council passed a resolution asking the planning board to look into the possibility. The board will conduct two hearings as it explores the status of the property before sending the matter back before council. Thursday’s hearing will be the first.

According to the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association, an area is designated as in need of redevelopment when structures need upgrading and improving, and uses appropriate to a specific area are introduced. An area is designated as in need of rehabilitation when existing structures are rebuilt to eliminate substandard structural or housing conditions, and to arrest the deterioration of the area.

The discussion of exploring this option for the mall first surfaced in February, but the issue temporarily took a back seat during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more here: Moorestown Mall May Be Deemed Area In Need Of Rehabilitation

PREIT's financial struggles were exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, but it recently regained compliance with the New York Stock Exchange after receiving a warning in December. Read more here: Moorestown Mall Owner Back In Compliance: New York Stock Exchange

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Members of the public can participate in the teleconference meeting just the same as if at an in-person meeting. The Chairman will open the floor for public participation in accordance with normal protocol.

To attend the meeting by phone, call 1-201-523-5900, and enter the Conference ID# 378 791 37. You can also call 1-833-450-2679 immediately prior to the beginning of the meeting.
Anyone unable to attend the meeting virtually can email questions or comments prior to the meeting (no later than 4 p.m. Thursday), to PBcomments@moorestown.nj.us. Use “Planning Board Meeting Comments” and the meeting date in the subject line.

The meeting will also be broadcast via live stream on the township’s website. The livestream is not interactive, and you will not be able to participate in the meeting in this format.

The live stream may be accessed by going to www.moorestown.nj.us and clicking on “Live Meetings” in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage. This will bring you to the “Agendas, Minutes, Meetings & Recordings” page. Once there, click on the “Township Planning Board Meeting” link of the meeting you wish to watch.