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.

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

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 (swilliams@chathamborough.org), Professional Planner Kendra Lelie (klelie@kylemcmanus.com), and us (BrigidMcMenamin@msn.com) 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 (swilliams@chathamborough.org), Professional Planner Kendra Lelie (klelie@kylemcmanus.com), and us (BrigidMcMenamin@msn.com).

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

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:

 

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 (klelie@kylemcmanus.com) and us (brigidmcmenamin@msn.com) 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