Lawrence, New Jersey Development News

3641 Lawrence Road Designated as Area in Need of Redevelopment

The Township Council considered a resolution to designate the property at 3641 Lawrence Road (Block 6601, Lot 2) as an area in need of redevelopment. This designation is consistent with settlement agreements reached with the property owner and Fair Share Housing Center concerning affordable housing obligations. The designation process involved a study by the planning board, which found the property met two criteria for redevelopment: A (substandard, unsafe, unsanitary, dilapidated, or obsolescent buildings) and D (buildings or improvements detrimental to health, safety, morals, or welfare due to dilapidation, obsolescence, faulty arrangement, lack of ventilation, sanitation, light, excessive land coverage, deleterious land use, or obsolete layout). These criteria were met due to the disrepair of the main house and garage, fire code violations, lack of property maintenance, evidence of vandalism, lack of access for emergency vehicles, and decommissioned septic systems. The council's decision tonight is solely about the designation, with further steps including the adoption of a redevelopment plan and site plan applications. [cite: 45-163, 170-287]