Under New Jersey’s LRHL, municipalities are empowered to determine whether an area is in need of redevelopment, to adopt a redevelopment plan, and to implement redevelopment projects. The statute requires a multi-step process that must be adhered to in order for the municipal governing body and planning board to exercise these powers lawfully. This process is summarized below:

1. The governing body must authorize the planning board, by resolution, to undertake an investigation of the delineated area to determine whether it meets the criteria set forth in section 5 of the LRHL.

On December 6, 2022 the Township Council approved Resolution 377-22 “Authorizing and Directing the Planning Board of the Township of Lawrence to Conduct a Preliminary Investigation and Hearing, and to make a Recommendation, Whether the Property Designated as Block 3801, Lots 2, 3, 6, 18 and 19 on the Township’s Official Tax Map, Commonly Known as 3131 Princeton Pike, should be Designated as a Non-Condemnation Area in Need of Redevelopment”.

2. The planning board must then prepare a map showing the boundaries of the Study Area and the location of the various parcels therein.

The boundaries of the Study Area and the location of the Various Parcels are provided in the “3131 Princeton Pike, Area in Need of Redevelopment, Preliminary Investigation”, prepared by KMA Associates, dated March 2, 2023

3. The planning board must conduct a preliminary investigation and hold a duly noticed public hearing in order to discuss the findings of the investigation and to hear persons who are interested in or would be affected by the contemplated action. The results and recommendations of the hearing are then referred to the governing body in the form of a planning board resolution.

On March 20, 2023 the Planning Board conducted a public hearing to discuss the finding of the Preliminary Investigation Report (reference above) and recommended that the Property be designated as a Non-Condemnation area in need of redevelopment. The recommendation of Board was memorialized in resolution 10-23, approved on April 3, 2023 and referred to the Township Council.

4. Upon receipt of the recommendation from the planning board, the governing body may act to adopt a resolution designating the area in question, or any part thereof, as an area in need of redevelopment.

On May 2, 2023 the Township Council approved resolution 155-23 Accepting the Recommendation of the Lawrence Township Planning Board and Declaring the Properties known as Block 3801, Lots 2, 3, 6, 18 and 19 to be a Non-Condemnation Area in Need of Redevelopment.

5. Upon designation, the planning board or governing body then authorizes preparation of a redevelopment plan, which establishes the land development goals and objectives of the municipality and outlines the actions to be taken to accomplish these goals and objectives.

The Planning Board, Staff and Professionals are in the process of developing the draft redevelopment plan.

6. The redevelopment plan is adopted by the Governing Body by ordinance after introduction, referral to the Planning Board, and a public hearing.

If the redevelopment plan is approved by the Township Council the plan will become an amendment to the municipality’s zoning district map and zoning ordinance or may be treated as an overlay to existing zoning. Prior to any development activity a major site plan application would have to be filed and approved by the Planning Board.