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.
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:
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:
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:
Let’s say the monstrous development that’s devouring River Road does bring an average of $1.73 million into the Borough’s coffers each year, as the Council predicts.
Care about the plans for Post Office Plaza or the future of Chatham Borough?
Come to the Final Compliance Hearing
Now rescheduled to be heard before the Hon. Stephan C. Hansbury, J.S.C., Monday, November 14, 9:30 am, at the Morris County Courthouse, Morristown, NJ.
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.
If you’d like to see Chatham turned into a densely populated city, then you’ll vote for incumbent Council member Karen Koronkiewicz.
You can count on Karen to try to turn Chatham into a city. She recently voted to sacrifice 100% of our public parking at Post Office Plaza so a rich developer could build a 100-unit, commercial/retail housing project that would have clogged up our streets, and cost taxpayers heaven only knows how much. [Check out Option #2 at https://chathamchoice.org/2022/04/sophies-choice/]
Would you prefer to preserve our small town quality of life? Then you’ll vote for incumbent Council President Irene Treloar.
Irene resisted intense pressure to go along with Karen’s overdevelopment scheme. On May 2, she voted to substitute a modest, 15-unit apartment house, fulfilling our need for affordable housing without destroying what we love about Chatham. [Check out Option #3 at https://chathamchoice.org/2022/04/sophies-choice/]
You can either vote for Irene alone, or cast your second vote for one of the other candidates on the ballot.
Either way, your vote this November will send a powerful message to the Mayor & Council about your vision for the future of Chatham Borough.