9/30/24 Special Council Meeting Blog
Hello Ringwood! On Tuesday, September 30th we held a Special Meeting of the Mayor and Council to examine and vote on four resolutions in regards to determining if the Fieldstone Park Shopping Center should be identified as “a Non-Condemnation Area in Need of Redevelopment.” Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting. We truly appreciated the dialogue and input.
On September 8, 2024 a report was made available to all residents online titled, “The Redevelopment Area Without Condemnation: Determination of Need Study.”
https://www.ringwoodnj.net/filestorage/2500/2516/4086/Redevelopment_Report_%28Fieldstone%29_%2811-20-23%29.pdf
Authored by the planning consultant, the report evaluated whether the Fieldstone Park property met certain criteria required for it to be considered an area in need of redevelopment. Subsequently, the required next step in the process was for the Planning Board to discuss and vote on this recommendation at their meeting on September 25, 2024. The planning Board unanimously felt that based on the report and testimony, Fieldstone Park shopping center should be declared as a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment. Once the Planning Board opined on the matter, it was set into motion and headed to the Council for consideration; this was the subject matter of last night’s meeting.
The Council meeting opened with the Special Counsel (redevelopment attorney) explaining to all residents that the purpose of the meeting was simply for the Borough Council to either support or reject the recommendation made by the Planning Board. The council unanimously voted in support of Resolution 2024-182: designating the property as an area in need of redevelopment.
This DOES NOT include a housing component.
This is only about the Fieldstone Park Shopping Center.
Resolution 2024-183: The council also had to vote on authorizing the execution of a funding agreement with the Azarian Group.
Azarian will give the Borough $25,000 in escrow to cover these past and future expenses. When the escrow account goes down to $10,000, a letter notifying Azarian will go out regarding insufficient funds. Azarian will then deposit an additional $20,000 in the escrow account to cover additional expenses.
This includes paying the planner and lawyer expenses retroactively involved as well as future costs related to this project.
This will NOT cost the taxpayer anything. Azarian is paying for this project.
Resolution 2024-184: The council then voted to authorize the hiring of the planner:
Darlene Green, P.P., A.I.C.P., and Colliers Engineering and Design, Inc were approved to be our planner.
This resolution also instructed the planner to NOT include a housing component.
Resolution 2024-185: The council also voted to authorize the hiring of the financial advisor:
Michael Hanley of NW Financial Group, LLC to provide financial services.
As we looked around the room last night, I couldn’t help but think how many of the residents sitting in attendance have been part of this community for years. Your contributions have helped shape the environment we cherish and love about Ringwood. The council will make its best efforts to work as collaboratively as possible with residents of the community we proudly serve.
We want to focus on the future and hope that everyone can see that we are making every effort to be inclusive. We need to all rally together to spread the word that Ringwood is open for business and that we have incredible opportunities here.
Let’s work together to show that the Ringwood residents are focused in our efforts to support local businesses, revitalize our central shopping center, promote and support local entrepreneurs in an effort to create a thriving community which we all deserve.
Upcoming Date to Note: Special Meeting
October 14th, 2024 at 7:30pm:
There will be a presentation from the Borough’s Redevelopment Counsel and Professional Planner, explaining the redevelopment process. Public Participation is welcomed!
