Yes, today:
Can that rescue arrive in time to save this little town?
Category: Main Street
-
You’ve been warned
You first heard about the Ivy on River Road and the new building on Main Street too late to make your opinion count?
Love it or hate it, the time to weigh in is BEFORE they break ground.
Consider the NEXT two big decisions facing Chatham Borough:
First, how will the Borough satisfy its affordable housing quota (RDP) for the next ten years?
That’s something the Planning Board must decide before the end of June. So far they haven’t let us in on their thinking.
What are the options? What do they have in mind? How many new apartments can we expect? Where might they be built? What will they cost us in higher taxes, more traffic & environmental issues, and lower quality of life?
https://www.chathamborough.org/resident/calendar/mayor-council-meeting-23-1745879400
Second, what about the Council’s upcoming Redevelopment Plan for River Road, a 500-unit project, TWICE the size of the Ivy, and almost certainly property tax-free?
https://chathamchoice.org/2025/02/things-fall-apart/
Why would the Mayor & Council pursue such a thing, knowing the project is NOT needed to satisfy the Borough’s RDP affordable housing quota and would NOT count toward the quota?
Of course the project would enrich the lucky redevelopers, but would it benefit Borough residents in any way? If so, how exactly?
If you care about the future of your hometown, you will start asking those questions before it’s too late, or at least observe a meeting to show you care.
Go to the Council meeting at 7:30 pm this Monday, April 28 at Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level. You need not speak or even stay to the end.
Can’t be there in person even for 15 minutes? It’s easy to Zoom in and watch: https://www.chathamborough.org/resident/calendar/mayor-council-meeting-23-1745879400
Email the Mayor & Council:
Cdempsey@chathamborough.org
Jmathiasen@chathamborough.org
Kkoronkiewicz@chathamborough.org
Itreloar@chathamborough.org
Jstrickland@chathamborough.org
Bhargrove@chathamborough.org
Khay@chathamborough.org
Get the facts, so you can decide for yourself.
-
Postponed to Dec. 20!
Would you like to see a convenience store/gas station in Chatham’s Main Street Historic District?
Should our Zoning Board waive the normal rules to allow that?* **
Come to the public Zoning Board hearing.
NEW NEW Date!
December 20, 7:30 pm, at Chatham Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level.
What’s this all about?
The new owner of the Exxon station on Main Street hopes to add a convenience store that’s inconsistent with our Borough Zoning laws.. To go ahead, he must convince the Zoning Board that adding that store would be good for Chatham.***
The applicant operates a similar gas/convenience store that’s open 24/7 just over the border in Summit. 18 County Rd 649 – Google Maps
https://www.7-eleven.com/locations/nj/summit/6-river-rd-38126
The main difference is that the Shell/7-Eleven on River Road has a brick facade, instead of the vinyl siding the applicant plans for the TigerMart on Chatham’s Main Street.
https://www.propertyshark.com/mason/Property/4431940/6-River-Rd-Summit-NJ-07901/
https://njparcels.com/property/2018/201/12#google_vignette
By keeping long hours – often all night – convenience stores average 1,400 transactions per day, and most patrons (65%) consume their purchases on the spot. “Litter can be a significant challenge,” notes the trade association that advocates for the industry. @
The Exxon proposal for Chatham would also involve chopping down at least one 20 ft Douglas Fir tree and adding a bigger sign that lights up.** https://ecode360.com/33846367#33846367. https://ecode360.com/6793659
How would a place like that affect Chatham’s historic district or the value of nearby homes on or near Hillside Avenue?
Come to the public hearing, postponed yet again to November 15, 7:30 pm, at Chatham Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level.
That is your chance to get the facts, ask questions, make comments, and show you care about your town.
If you cannot be there in person, you can Zoom or call in. You’ll find the directions by clicking on the Zoning Board Meeting to be posted on the Borough calendar:
https://chathamborough.org/resident/calendar/zoning-board-2-1692833400
The Zoning Board has announced that there will be no further official notice of this proposed project.
* Details about the 0.59-acre property, block 122/lot 2: https://njparcels.com/property/1404/122/2
** Exactly what is the applicant proposing to build? To see the complete application, visit the Clerk’s office at Borough Hall, 54 Main Street or click on “Agenda Packet” for the Zoning Board at this link: https://chathamborough.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1
Or download the basic application (no exhibits or supporting documents):
*** What does the applicant need to prove? https://chathamborough.org/boards/zone
Want more detail? Look at these files:
Any similar situations?
https://casetext.com/case/financial-services-v-zoning-brd-of-adj
@ Source: “Convenience Stores and Their Communities,” published April 2019 by National Association of Convenience Stores, accessed August 5, 2023 at https://www.lilanduseandzoning.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/128/2020/01/How-Stores-Work.pdf
