From Cory
Storch, City Councilman, Second Ward, Plainfield, New Jersey
Statement at
the December 11 City Council Meeting Regarding the South Avenue East
Redevelopment Plan"
Plainfield
has become business friendly and is attracting more developers than at any time
in the city’s recent history. This is a
positive reflection on the work of city government, especially in the last 5
years. Have we reached the point where Plainfield
does not have to accept developer proposals as is or accept all requests for tax
abatement? I believe that time has come
for Plainfield. We have positioned the
city with more negotiating leverage to have our developers give our residents
what they want. In other words
development that is not just for the sake of development.
Ordinance
2018-28 is before the Council for approval.
I urge my colleagues to reconsider this ordinance. It permits the use of retail convenience with
fuel services. We have existing retail
convenience at the corners of South and Terrill and South and Leland. Why would we add more of the same when for
many years, all Plainfield stakeholders have expressed a desire for the South
Avenue commercial corridor to increase the variety of shopping experiences for
residents and visitors. Why would we
permit fuel services in a transit oriented redevelopment area? Strangely enough a bank without drive through
facility is a permitted use.
There is
much good in the proposed redevelopment plan for South Avenue East. We can correct this major flaw by voting not
to approve the ordinance and sending the plan back to the Planning Board for
revision. City Council has that power
and should use it.
FYI the
ordinance passed by a vote of 6 to 1.
