All posts by brigidmcmenamin

Take the high road

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The Chatham Borough Council is drooling over the prospect of getting millions in PILOT revenue from the massive, 259-unit rental housing project under construction on River Road.

Those PILOT revenues rightfully belong to the taxpayers of Chatham Borough.

Our Borough Council should use the taxpayers’ PILOT money to lighten our tax burden, not to wield more power.

If the River Road project were subject to regular property taxes, it would increase the Borough’s tax base, possibly reducing our property taxes.

But the BOE wouldn’t get any of that additional tax revenue – not unless the taxpayers voted to give it to them.

That’s exactly what the Council should do with the PILOT payments.

Instead, the Borough Council is negotiating to allocate some of the PILOT money outside normal channels and without public scrutiny or consent.

That prospect doesn’t sit well with longtime Borough resident Bill Heap, a respected Planning Board member and successful businessman.

“PILOT money is our money, and you have an obligation to be transparent,” Mr. Heap told the Borough Council on Jan 23, urging them to run the decision by voters, at minute 36:05: https://chathamborough.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=106

But so far, the Council seems bent on simply divvying up the taxpayers’ PILOT money in the back room and without public scrutiny.

For instance, they’re prepared to hand over some of the taxpayers’ PILOT money to the School Board.

That would be bad for Chatham Borough and for the School Board.

It would deprive the Borough of funds it needs to meet absolute necessities, like new fire apparatus.

Gifting Borough funds to the School District could leave the School Board beholden to the Council and ensnare our schools in party politics.

Our School Board shouldn’t put itself in that position. The School Board already has ways to get all the money it needs.

Even with declining enrollment, the School Board automatically gets 102% of last year’s budget, plus whatever it takes to meet certain other expenses.

With school parents making up the biggest voting block, the School Board can raise additional funds simply asking the taxpayers to vote on that by the normal, aboveboard process of referendum or second question.

Here’s how Bill Heap explained the issue at the December 12 School Board meeting, at minutes 2:27:29 and 2:50:20:

You think that simply giving PILOT payments to the Board of Ed might reduce our property taxes? No. It wouldn’t reduce our taxes at all.

The Board of Ed would get the PILOT money ON TOP of AT LEAST 102% of last year’s school budget, to which they’re entitled by law.

What’s more, at least half of any PILOT funds given to the schools would, in effect, benefit nearby Chatham Township, though it bears none of the burdens associated with the River Road project.

Bill Heap’s argument against allocating PILOT money to the Chatham schools without public consent has the support of Stewart Carr, a civic-minded, longtime Township resident and registered municipal advisor.

Mr. Carr has urged the Board of Ed to “take the high road and not ask the municipality for extra [PILOT] money, but rather ask the taxpayers directly for that money.”

Check out this clip from the Feb 6 meeting of the BOE, at minute 1:26:31

Chathamites who are in-the-know agree that the Borough Council should not spend the PILOT money without the approval of residents:

Do you approve of the Council’s plans to divvy up the PILOT money without consulting the public?

Would you prefer that the Borough Council let us decide how to use our money – or simply use it to reduce taxes?

Don’t wait until it’s a done deal!

Come to the Borough Council meetings on Feb. 13, and Feb. 27, 2023 at 7:30 PM, Borough Hall, upper level, 54 Fairmount Avenue.

Also tell the Mayor & Council here: https://chathamborough.org/government/mayor

Tell the School Board here: https://www.chatham-nj.org/page/63

Time to weigh in on the proposed design for Post Office Plaza

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Alert: this Monday 2/27, the Borough Council will vote on a new site plan that dropped on Friday, adding a surprise third floor to the 2-story project our Council revealed in December, as shown below.

Don’t miss this chance to see and comment before it’s too late to make a difference.

Come to the Council meeting this Monday 2/27, 7:30 pm, at Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level.

8622-1620-Updated-SITE-REV.-2-2-22-2023-1
2023.2.27-BCUW-Chatham-Council-MeetingDownload

What do you think of the proposed design for Chatham’s Post Office Plaza?

View of the proposed building from the railroad tracks
… a slightly different design

You’re going to pay for it, so you’re entitled to have your say!

Share your views now, while there’s still time to make a difference.

E-mail Borough Administrator Steve Williams ([email protected]), Professional Planner Kendra Lelie ([email protected]), and us ([email protected]) with your comments and questions.

Some residents have asked, for instance:

What will the place look like from Bowers Lane, or from the public parking lot?

Will the route along the south side of the Post Office Annex (leading from our public parking lot to Bowers Lane) still be a road, or only an alley?

Should we place the first floor windows a little higher to make the headlights less annoying to first floor residents? Or might taller bushes suffice?

Will there be a sidewalk between the parking lot and the building?

Will the requisite electric charging station take up one of the scarce 17 parking spaces? Will non-residents be allowed to use it?

Where will the new residents park their bikes, scooters, and strollers?

Where will the dumpsters go?

Any potential for trouble with runoff? https://ecode360.com/6793963#6793963

Please comment below and by e-mail to Borough Administrator Steve Williams ([email protected]), Professional Planner Kendra Lelie ([email protected]), and us ([email protected]).

A good starting point for Post Office Plaza

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At last we have some idea what the new apartment house on Bowers Lane might look like:

This is the view from the railroad embankment, alongside which there will be space for at least 17 cars. The short end of the L-shaped building runs along Bowers Lane. We have yet to see the sides that will be visible from the streets and public parking lot.
This is a similar design, but with flatter dormers and a bit more trim

Here’s a glimpse of the proposed floor plan presented by Bergen County’s United Way and Z Plus architects at a public meeting conducted by Borough Planner Kendra Lelie:

Tha is the proposed floor plan for the lower level, which includes seven family apartments and a community room with a prep kitchen.

 

The proposed upper level has eight family apartments, including two three bedroom units.

Of course, that design is only the first step. Our Planner has promised a collaborative decision-making process known as a “charette.”

(Here’s a definition: https://urban-regeneration.worldbank.org/node/40)

Now is the time to ask questions, raise issues, and help choose the ultimate design. You can start by reviewing our Planner’s PowerPoint here: https://onedrive.live.com/edit.aspx?resid=B17AECD7AF3011DE!591&ithint=file%2cpptx

Then contact our Planner ([email protected]) and us ([email protected]) with questions. For instance:

What will the place look like from Bowers Lane, or from Post Office Plaza?

Will the route along the south side of the Annex (from our public parking lot to Bowers Lane) still be a road, or only an alley?

Maybe the windows on the first floor should be a little higher so the headlights in the parking lot don’t annoy residents? Or might tall bushes suffice?

Will there be a sidewalk between the parking lot and the building?

Will the requisite electric charging station take up one of the scarce 17 parking spaces? Will non-residents be allowed to use it?

Where will the new residents park their bikes, scooters, and strollers?

Any potential for trouble with runoff? https://ecode360.com/6793963#6793963

Where will the dumpsters go?

For a more detailed explanation of the proposed design and the process, check out this short video of the meeting:

Here’s how the Tap described the presentation:

https://outlook.live.com/mail/0/inbox/id/AQMkADAwATIwMTAwAC0wMmFmLWFmNDctMDACLTAwCgBGAAADm2aEtb9zqkivM9bdxIhNiQcAvxBBvbpmYUeDFmvpbvi7CgAAAgEMAAAAvxBBvbpmYUeDFmvpbvi7CgAF%2BLOYfQAAAA%3D%3D

What will it look like? That’s YOUR call!

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Yes, we must build a 15-unit apartment house at Post Office Plaza.

But exactly what it will look like is up to us. Borough planner Kendra Lelie has promised a so-called “charette” process, in which all stakeholders work together to determine the outcome.

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/gvchardesc081110.pdf

Care to see some options for Post Office Plaza? Ask questions? Maybe give your opinion?

Come to Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue this Tuesday, December 6 at 7:00 pm.

https://www.chathamborough.org/component/dpcalendar/event/3917

What do you think of the proposal?:

22.12.06-BowersLane.publicopenhouse2Download

Great News

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Yesterday morning, after three tense public hearings, Morris County Superior Court Judge Stephan Hansbury soundly rejected the Kushners’ brazen attempt to cram an unpopular 100-rental unit project on mostly public land behind our Main Street Post Office.

That decision frees Chatham Borough to meet part of its affordable housing requirements by building a 15-unit apartment house there, as our Mayor & Council voted on May 2.

For a quick summary, watch the video of Mayor Kobylarz’s comments in this Tap story:

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/chatham/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Chatham+Borough+Mayor%253A+Court+Finds+that+the+Borough+is+in+Compliance+with+its+Affordable+Housing+Obligations%253B+SV+Suit+Denied&utm_campaign=Chatham+Borough+Mayor%253A+Court+Finds+that+the+Borough+is+in+Compliance+with+its+Affordable+Housing+Obligations%253B+SV+Suit+Denied

For details, check out the records at e-courts, culminating in this final court order finding Chatham in compliance with its affordable housing obligations through September 29, 2026:

Amended-Final-Judgment-of-Compliance-and-ReposeDownload

Will the Kushners accept that outcome and let Chatham build some affordable housing at Post Office Plaza, or will they continue to sue, appeal, and otherwise try to block progress? Stay tuned here and at this FB group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2429255717325924

What’s that huge thing going up on River Road in Chatham Borough??

Redevelopment, River Road, , , ,

https://www.facebook.com/618423460/videos/1332066163997362/

#keepchathamsmall

After the Council approved the Plan for River Road, things got real. .

Believe it or not, there’s a lot more to come:

Source:

https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/1399493/2022-05-27-HEFSP_amendment.finaladopted.pdf

#Keepchathamsmall

Want to see massive overdevelopment like that all over town? Re-elect Karen Koronkiewicz

Want to stop reckless overdevelopment?
https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NJ/Morris/116156/web.303253/#/detail/0014

Like a dog with a bone

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Looks like the Kushners will never give up trying to seize control of Chatham’s Post Office Plaza.

They’re still kicking and screaming to a Morris County Judge, even after he denied them standing, our Mayor announced the timetable for a better plan for that spot, the Borough Council voted to backstop the cost up to $6 million, and the Special Master seemed satisfied.

#keepchathamsmall

Special-Master-letter-to-judge-10-3-22Download

The Kushner partnership SV and FSHC are trying to re-litigate the same issue the judge decided at the last hearing:

On October 12 they filed this with the court:

SV-letter-to-judge-10-12-22Download

On October 21 they demanded that the court reconsider its decision:

FSHC-letter-to-judge-10-12-22Download

Check our what Chatham counsel Jonathan Drill has to say about all that:

CB-Drill-letter-to-Judge-10-12-22Download

FSHC is on their side:

FSHC-Letter-of-10-28-22-re-Report-by-Special-MasterDownload

Will the judge do the right thing again? See for yourself! Monday, Nov. 7, 10:00 am, Morris County Court House, Morristown, NJ