Community Voices: A Resident’s Perspective on Affordable Housing and Flooding in Berkeley Heights
by Luann Alario The following is a firsthand account from a Berkeley Heights resident, who has lived in town since 1986 and recently began attending public meetings. It reflects her direct experience and concerns shared during Planning Board discussions. I’ve been a resident of Berkeley Heights since 12/1/86, and attending town meetings is a new experience for me. And it’s...
Curse of the PILOT
Bruce Paterson is a Resident of Garwood, NJ As an existing homeowner, the question arises why our property taxes continue to soar; especially after watching so many high-density luxury-rate residential complexes being built in the last 5-10 years. You can chalk it up to the “curse of the PILOT”. Although occurring statewide, we will look at our local area as...
Berkeley Heights Mayor and EVERY SINGLE MEMBER of the Town Council Writes to Legislators to Stop OPRA and Housing Bills
Dear Members of the Legislature, By way of introduction, I am the Mayor of Berkeley Heights Township. Over the last 30 years, I have “grown up in politics” in Democratic politics in Union County. So, I am no stranger to how the process of government and politics works in this State. I am also a proud Democrat who was overwhelmingly...
Bill Reforming Affordable Housing in NJ Introduced
Yesterday new Affordable Housing Legislation was introduced into the State Legislature. Supporters indicate that this legislation would replace COAH and establish a more organized pathway for municipalities to meet affordable housing obligations. Main Features of the legislation include: -Mediation panels aimed to reduce litigation between municipalities and developers. -Immunity for municipalities demonstrating a “good faith” effort in meeting their Affordable...
Resident Comments on Redevelopment Study Approved by the Council during the 11/21/2023 Berkeley Heights Council
An informative exchange involving a resident during the 11/21/2023 Town Council Meeting. One note is the response to the question on how these properties were decided on by citing one property owner’s request without clarifying how the other properties were decided upon. This was repeated throughout the whole meeting when asked. Also, we notice that we are no longer able...
Susan Poage Emerges as The Strongest Voice of Reason on the Berkeley Heights Town Council this Year
Last night, the Council approved a controversial 11th-hour measure to fund a redevelopment study involving multiple properties. Much like the surprise hike to the cost of the Municipal Building under the Woodruff Administration, this information occurred immediately after an election was decided. Why would such important matters be kept from the public and candidates? Wouldn’t bringing this up during the...
11/21/2023 Town Council Meeting – Questions On Redevelopment Studies
On the town council agenda tonight: “2. Resolution directing the Planning Board to undertake an investigation to determine whether all or a portion of certain properties identified on the tax map as Block 702, Lots 4,6, 16, constitute a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment. (458, 414-424 Springfield Avenue, and 230 Sherman Avenue)” This is the state statute, Section 52:27D-302...
What does “Stop the Overdevelopment” Mean for Berkeley Heights
– Edmund Tom Maciejewski Over the past half-decade, Berkeley Heights Township Council has sanctioned the construction of over 1400 apartments. While labeled as “Smart Development” by some, I see a stark reality of overdevelopment and urban sprawl. Forests have been razed, drainage problems have escalated, and the council has liberally granted tax abatements via PILOTs (Payment in Lieu of Taxes),...
Council Members Respond to Feedback on the Berkeley Heights Affordable Housing Concern
Council Members Poage, Varenerin and Kingsley respond to feedback on remaining Affordable Housing obligation discussed during the 09/19/2023 Town Council Meeting. I sent an email last night requesting that expressing my displeasure at the Council’s response to suggestions made at the meeting to consider other alternatives to Developers in resolving the remaining Affordable Housing Obligation. Below are the responses I...
Candidate Comments During the 09/05/2023 and 09/19/2023 Town Council Meetings: Margaret Illis (D)
Comments on the Affordable Housing News and Littell-Lord Bids In this clip, 2023 Town Council Candidate Margaret Illis (D) speaks on the Littell-Lord Renovation (agenda item on rejected bids) and on the announcement that the town still has to allow for 30 more Affordable Housing units (a total of 115 additional apartments). We are going to start with the 09/19/2023...
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