Christopher Awe

The meeting agenda includes the consideration of multiple development applications. Old business involves a major subdivision, site plan, and variance requests for properties at 32 Hamilton Street and 433 Park Street. New business includes requests for site plan and variance approvals for a four-story mixed-use building at 21 N. Park Street and an extension request for project approvals at 304 Park Avenue.

The board reviewed several land use applications, including a request by Pardo Construction Group Inc. for a major subdivision and site plan to build single-family dwellings, and a request by Rowland Cherry for a bulk variance to convert a two-family dwelling into a three-family dwelling. Under new business, the board evaluated an application from 21 N. Park Street LLC for site plan approval and variances to construct a four-story mixed-use building, and a request from 304 Park Ave Investments, LLC for a second one-year extension on previously granted site approval and variance relief for a five-story development.

The Planning Board discussed proposed amendments to several redevelopment plans, including the Central Avenue Commercial subdistrict of the Transit Village District, the Scattered Sites Redevelopment Area, and the Sussex Area Redevelopment Plan. Additionally, the Board reviewed applications for an amendment to an approved site plan to reduce residential units at 418-430 William Street and a request for site plan approval and bulk variances to construct a senior living community at 148-152 N. Arlington Avenue.

The meeting agenda addressed redevelopment plans, including amendments to the East Orange Scattered Sites Redevelopment Plan and property transfers in the Transit Village and Greenwood redevelopment areas. Bond resolutions were proposed for the Brick Church Station Redevelopment Project. Financial matters included payroll authorizations, tax refunds, contract awards for vending services and technical infrastructure, and a memorandum of agreement with the Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association. The Council discussed public works items such as designating commemorative street names, adopting a Vision Zero policy, and various proclamations for Earth Day, Arbor Day, and National Public Works Week. Additional business included ordinance readings related to city code amendments, budget appropriation limits, and the establishment of new stop intersections.

The board discussed the pending Memorandum of Understanding for an interim Health Officer and reviewed findings from the Community Health Assessment, which indicated high levels of diabetes, strokes, and cardiovascular diseases. Concerns were raised regarding the regulation of smoke and vape shops, as well as a lack of communication among city departments concerning the opening of a new dispensary. The meeting also covered grant compliance status, including the NACCHO and HIV grants, personnel challenges for the PrEP program, budget constraints, and potential relocation of the WIC division to a new facility. Additionally, there was a discussion on transitioning to electronic health records for the Substance Abuse Division, the importance of revenue generation from Vital Statistics, and community fears regarding recent immigration enforcement activities.