Tag: Vacant land

  • Why refuse to consider alternatives?

    Why do our Mayor & Council continue to refuse to consider alternatives to paving over the green, Borough taxpayer-owned parcel right next to Memorial Park?

    The Mayor & Council have formally promised at least one such public meeting to discuss options for the privately-owned project that will replace the Cottage Deli. It’s Wednesday Feb 11.

    There is NO legal reason not to give the same consideration to the permanent disposition of that vacant, green, irreplaceable, Borough taxpayer-owned parcel at 58 North Passaic Avenue.

    Why do our Mayor & Council continue to refuse to schedule a public meeting to discuss alternatives to sacrificing the taxpayer—owned parcel at 58 North Passaic?

    Ask them! Three easy ways to do it:

    1. Email:

    mayorcouncil@chathamborough.org

    bhargrove@chathamborough.org 

    cdempsey@chathamborough.org

    jmathiasen@chathamborough.org

    jstrickland@chathamborough.org

    khay@chathamborough.org

    kkoronkiewicz@chathamborough.org

    mgilmore@chathamborough.org

    mayor@chathamborough.org

    2. Attend or zoom the next Council meeting: Monday, Feb 23, 2026 at 7:30 pm, Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level, or by Zoom, details to follow here: https://www.chathamborough.org/resident/calendar/mayor-council-meeting-6-30-executive-7-30-public-meeting-2-1771893000

    3. Ask at the Cottage Deli meeting: Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026 at 7:00 pm, Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, upper level.

    Heard that the sacrifice of our green 58 North Passaic is a “done deal”? That’s a standard trick known as a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” It’s popular because naive people often fall for it.

  • Is it a dream… or a dud?

    The public meeting starts 7:30 pm TONIGHT, Monday, December 8th, Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue. (Take the elevator to the upper level.)

    Have our Mayor & Borough Council found a good way to resolve the legal challenges to Chatham’s 6/18/25 Master Plan amendment for affordable housing? 

    A possible settlement is on their agenda for the December 8th Council meeting, and the Council may even VOTE on it during the public session, which starts 7:30 pm TONIGHT at Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue.

    Find out.

    The public meeting starts 7:30 pm, Monday, December 8th, Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue. Take the elevator to the upper level.

    Being there counts. Everything else is optional.

    Come as you are. Arrive when you can. Speak only if you please. Leave early if you like.

  • Sworn Testimony

    Myth: It’s over. Chatham Borough must sacrifice the vacant, Borough-owned parcel at 58 North Passaic Avenue to build four apartments right next to Memorial Park.

    Reality: It isn’t over. Once the Judge has ruled on Chatham’s affordable housing plan, the Borough Council can propose an alternative site or project.

    Source: Sworn testimony of Chatham Borough Planner Kendra Lelie at the 18 June 2025 Planning Board Hearing on the new Housing Element of the Borough’s revised Master Plan:

    Q: Planning Board Member William Heap: Kendra, let’s say the Plan is adopted. It is approved. And somewhere down the line, somehow, magically, another piece of land appears. Is there room after approval for a little bit of horse trading? 

    A: Kendra Lelie: So, after the approval from the Court, it is not uncommon that things happen, things change… Maybe something better comes up – and a better opportunity comes up. So yes, it’s a possibility.

    https://chathamborough.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=393 starting at 1:12:20.