Moorestown To Investigate Mall As Area In Need Of Redevelopment

MOORESTOWN, NJ — The planning board in Moorestown will look into the possibility of designating the Moorestown Mall as an area in need of redevelopment following a decision made at Monday night’s council meeting.

Moorestown Council passed the resolution asking the planning board to look into the possibility with a 5-0 vote. The board will conduct two hearings as it explores the status of the property before sending the matter back before council.

Council will also consider looking into a similar designation for the old Kmart site in the future. A resident asked council to look into the old Kmart site during the public comment portion of the meeting.

“There’s no rush (to do Kmart), but there is a cost to it,” Township Solicitor Kevin Aberant said, adding that could be considered in a separate resolution later. “We should move on (the mall plan) tonight.”

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. PREIT had been moving the mall in a new direction, with the addition of businesses such as Joe Italiano's Maplewood, Hash House A Go Go, The Yard House, Sierra and HomeSense. Read more here: Moorestown Mall May Be Deemed Area In Need Of Rehabilitation

This topic and the overall issue of affordable housing have taken a back seat to the coronavirus pandemic, but township officials have been making decisions on these issues with the next compliance hearing looming at the end of November.

Along those lines, Moorestown Council approved a proposed ordinance on second reading concerning the acquisition of 307 Harper Drive. Last year, council approved the re-zoning of 307 Harper Drive to allow for the construction of a 76-unit complex that includes 75 affordable units.

The 3.12 acre site will include a mix of townhouses and multiple dwellings on three acres of land. In December, council approved the purchase of the property so construction can begin.

However, in order to ensure there is adequate space for the construction on Harper Drive, the township has entered into a contract to acquire an additional 0.56 acres of land near the site, on Route 38.

It also acquired a 60-foot wide strip of Lot 4 adjacent to the boundary between Lots 3 and 4. In March, the planning board approved the township's application for a minor subdivision to permit a lot line adjustment of the boundaries between Lots 3 and 4.

The proposal approved Monday night shows the township will also be acquiring the 60-foot strip. Read more here: Moorestown Focuses On Affordable Housing With Hearing Looming