Etra Minutes 20070404

Ewing Township Redevelopment Agency (ETRA) 2 Jake Garzio Drive Ewing, New Jersey 08628 Minutes: April 4, 2007 Submitted by: Anthony P. Carabelli, Jr., Executive Director Public Notice and Attendees a. The meeting of the Ewing Township Redevelopment Agency (ETRA) convened with the reading of the “Sunshine Law” statement by Chairperson Janet McLaughlin at 7:10pm. b. Attendees: Chairperson Janet McLaughlin, Vice Chair Robert Kull, Phil Vecere, David Rose, ETRA Executive Director Anthony Carabelli, Councilwoman Kathy Wollert, Councilman Bert Steinmann, Planning Board Chair Dick Owen, Economic Development Chairperson Ron Prykanowski, Vice President of The College of New Jersey Pat Boatwright and Planner Chuck Latini of Heyer Gruel and Associates Public Comment Heyer, Gruel & Associates Update Chair Janet McLaughlin introduced and handed over the presentation to Mr. Chuck Latini of Heyer, Gruel & Associates to discuss his progress in revising the Redevelopment plan. Mr. Latini introduced himself to the members in attendance and began by updating attendees on the redevelopment area. In beginning his presentation, Mr. Latini emphasized the opportunities that await this area and pointed out the specific sub-areas. He highlighted its current strengths commenting on the numerous parks, longstanding businesses, diverse neighborhoods and nearby Farmer’s Market. Utilizing several maps, Mr. Latini addressed the opportunities that await each specific sub-area. Though the perimeter of the redevelopment area designation will remain the same, Mr. Latini proposed new sub-area borders and the addition of new sub-area 8. Mr. Latini emphasized the need to reduce the amount of curb cutouts along Olden Avenue. In referencing this topic, Mr. Latini highlighted a map of Olden Avenue envisioning a reduction of the current egresses from 38 to a more manageable 17. Currently, there exists an average of only 42.5 feet between each curb cutout. He commented on a plan of providing both a regional and local flow of traffic to make this vision a reality. Chair McLaughlin, Vice Chair Kull and Mr. Latini touched on a recent meeting that they had with some of the businesses owners on Olden Avenue in order to provide information and receive feedback on this plan. Chair McLaughlin addressed the members stating her recent conversation with the County on a speed limit reduction for this street. She had received assurances that this reduction from 40mph to 35mph will take place shortly. Mr. Latini touched on the need for Olden Avenue to offer more mixed use concepts. In doing so, the new Redevelopment plan should seek to incorporate potential businesses on the first floor with housing and/or more commercial opportunities on the additional 1

floors. At this point in the meeting, Chair McLaughlin mentioned the need to accommodate a growing student housing situation in the Township. She stated that the students are an untapped resource for Ewing and commented on the importance of having these individuals become permanent residents of the Township contributing more to the economic productivity of the area. One means of accomplishing this goal would be to provide additional housing and mixed use opportunities for students. Ms. Boatwright of the College of New Jersey commented that she would welcome the possibility of working with the Township in solving the student housing issues and was impressed by the housing ideas addressed along Olden Avenue. Attendees emphasized the need for all neighboring colleges to support completely pending developments. Chair McLaughlin stated to Ms. Boatwright that she will continue to inform her of the Agency progress in this endeavor. Mr. Carabelli was asked to find out the extent of a pending County bus loop designated to run through Olden Avenue and Spruce Street. Mr. Latini suggested a better traffic flow and road network for the Redevelopment Area. He mentioned the need for a median and/or pavers along some portions of Olden Avenue. New road access connections in various sub-areas would allow the neighborhoods to reconnect to commercial areas and other neighborhoods. Mr. Latini emphasized that these roads would not occur in the immediate future but would represent a long term vision of the Agency’s road connectivity. The Agency also touched on the environmental concerns of the Redevelopment area. He suggested the importance of improving the quality of the Shabakunk Creek and utilizing energy star buildings for future projects. In creating a draft plan for the members review, Mr. Latini mentioned an important component of this revised plan. He stated that his firm does not recommend the current “overlay” status of the Redevelopment plan. Instead, Mr. Latini would like to see the concepts expressed in the revised plan adhered to by all future developers in the Area. The Agency members supported this idea. The Agency discussed the issue of code violations in the redevelopment area and the need for a list to provide accountability to these unresolved concerns. Mr. Carabelli will work with the Construction Office on three violations per month. MOTION Re: Adjournment of Meeting First – Janet McLaughlin Second – David Rose The Board unanimously supported the motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:05pm

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