Jones Lang LaSalle
Gilmore signs veto of council vote
Hamilton Mayor Glen Gilmore met with supporters and signed a veto of council's decision last night to rescind the redevelopment plan for the northwest portion of the township. About 50 supporters, mostly union workers, witnessed the mayor sign the veto at the American Metro development near the Hamilton Train Station.
After more than three hours of tense and emotional debate last night, the council voted to rescind the redevelopment plan that governs construction in the township's northwest portion. As expected, the vote was 3-2 for repeal with Republican Councilmen Tom Goodwin, Dennis Pone and David Kenny in favor and Democrats Ed Pattik and Shannon Cenci opposed.While the Republicans had the three votes necessary to rescind the plan, they are not likely to have the fourth vote necessary to overturn Gilmore's veto.
The plan for the 1,000-acre redevelopment zone was approved in 2004 as part of Gilmore's push for development around Hamilton's NJ Transit station. The plan sets the parameters for three projects either proposed or already under construction in the area: 450,000 square feet of office space and 680 condominiums, townhouses and apartments on the American Standard site and a mixed-use development at the train station.That station development, jeopardized by the repeal, calls for an additional 300 residences, 200,000 square feet of office space, 125,000 square feet of retail space, a 200-room hotel, 100 long-term stay suites and a 1,280-space parking garage.
Estimates have shown the developments could mean as much as $10 million in revenue to the township and officials are eager for the tax relief it would mean. Only by developing the project with the housing can the township realize the windfall, officials have said. More than 200 residents were at the meeting last night and emotions ran high as many had their say. Several times, the gathered crowd erupted into applause or shouts as people on each side of the issue presented their views.
-- Contributed by Staff Writer Darryl Isherwood
Gilmore signs veto of council vote
Hamilton Mayor Glen Gilmore met with supporters and signed a veto of council's decision last night to rescind the redevelopment plan for the northwest portion of the township. About 50 supporters, mostly union workers, witnessed the mayor sign the veto at the American Metro development near the Hamilton Train Station.
After more than three hours of tense and emotional debate last night, the council voted to rescind the redevelopment plan that governs construction in the township's northwest portion. As expected, the vote was 3-2 for repeal with Republican Councilmen Tom Goodwin, Dennis Pone and David Kenny in favor and Democrats Ed Pattik and Shannon Cenci opposed.While the Republicans had the three votes necessary to rescind the plan, they are not likely to have the fourth vote necessary to overturn Gilmore's veto.
The plan for the 1,000-acre redevelopment zone was approved in 2004 as part of Gilmore's push for development around Hamilton's NJ Transit station. The plan sets the parameters for three projects either proposed or already under construction in the area: 450,000 square feet of office space and 680 condominiums, townhouses and apartments on the American Standard site and a mixed-use development at the train station.That station development, jeopardized by the repeal, calls for an additional 300 residences, 200,000 square feet of office space, 125,000 square feet of retail space, a 200-room hotel, 100 long-term stay suites and a 1,280-space parking garage.
Estimates have shown the developments could mean as much as $10 million in revenue to the township and officials are eager for the tax relief it would mean. Only by developing the project with the housing can the township realize the windfall, officials have said. More than 200 residents were at the meeting last night and emotions ran high as many had their say. Several times, the gathered crowd erupted into applause or shouts as people on each side of the issue presented their views.
-- Contributed by Staff Writer Darryl Isherwood
posted by Jones Lang LaSalle NJ News Blog at 4:59 PM
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