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Health & Fitness

Llewellyn Jones comments on Downtown and Development

To the Editor:

As I've walked through the majority of Scotch Plains over the course of this campaign, one of the most common things I've heard is, "Why don't we see more development in downtown Scotch Plains, like what we see in Garwood, or Fanwood?" And while many people would like to see more redevelopment downtown, the sentiment isn't ubiquitous. In fact, development is often one of the biggest causes of contention for municipal governments, and so I want to share my views on this important subject.

With respect to our downtown, I share the sentiment that revitalization is warranted. Which is not to say we don't have some wonderful businesses in town. But the downtown has the potential to be more than it is today.

Several years ago a Special Improvement District (SID) was created, so that the biggest stakeholders in the downtown - the business and property owners - could drive the revitalization efforts. They pay a fee annually to fund the SID budget; it does not come from residential property taxes. Many neighboring towns such as Westfield have very successful SIDs. While the Scotch Plains SID's short history has been a bumpy one, I still believe that vision is the correct one. Unfortunately, my opponent has chosen to kill the SID by defunding it for next year, thereby halting any momentum the SID had.

I have been asked if I would consider adding a SID funding fee to the residential property taxes as well as the businesses. I am opposed to this, as it risks becoming yet another perpetual layer of taxation, locked in outside the control of the council. If after next year's forced hiatus the SID springs back to life and is doing great work, limited only by their budget, I would be open to council funding of SID projects if I felt that would be a good expenditure relative to the other priorities facing the town.

I share a concern of many that we live in a very heavily developed region of the country with few remaining undeveloped tracts of land. Development of properties such as the Shackamaxon property or the currently proposed Shelter Development Assisted Living facility on the Parker Gardens property must always be looked at very closely. From a town budget perspective, the proposed Shelter Development project would add a large ratable without adding children to the school system, making it undeniably attractive. Demographics dictate there will be substantial demand for this type of residential community, and keeping close to family is a valuable option to have. I agree with the town's planner that in this case, the proposed use of this new facility is in fact more in keeping with the R1 residential zone than the current use. 
Despite that, the proposed ordinance is still a change from the current zoning to a much more intense use of the property. It will add more traffic to an already heavily congested stretch of road, and a detailed traffic study must be conducted to understand the implications before proceeding.

This property abuts Terrill Middle School and is unique in its potential for expansion as fields for recreation. It has been a decade now since Union County government through the Open Space Trust Fund (aka your tax dollars) purchased the Sevell Farm on Cooper Rd. That land is now Ponderosa Park and includes new soccer fields. I think Scotch Plains would be remiss not to at least ask, and the County would be remiss not to take a careful look at, making an offer for this parcel of land.

Llewellyn Jones
Candidate for Scotch Plains Township Council

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