RESIDENT ACTION COALITION
WINTER REPORT 2020
ALL EYES ON MOORESTOWN MALL
Introduction
The Resident Action Coalition had many successes in 2019. First, we were able to have the 100% affordable housing project moved to a safer location. The new project is planned for Harper Drive. Disappointingly, the Harper Site was given to Pennrose without the usual request for proposals. MTC awarded them an uncontested development proposal worth millions thus rewarding Pennrose for suing individual Moorestown residents.
Under the leadership of member Greg Lane, we have signage for not blocking the box which significantly reduces gridlock for our residents coming out of Haines Drive and onto Pleasant Valley Road. The intersection is still dangerous and there are still accidents with the left turn. We are exploring options with the state government to alleviate this problem as Route 38 is not under township jurisdiction.
RAC Board Meeting
The last Board Meeting was held January 14, 2020.
New Administration, New Leadership Style
With Nicole Gillespie as new mayor, there have been some significant changes. The first major change occurred during Moorestown Town Council’s January reorganization meeting. Mr. Mike Locatell and Ms. Victoria Napolitano both voted “no” for Ms. Gillespie as mayor. They cited that the appointments to the town’s boards and committees were unusually partisan.
Most notably, the 2019 Planning Board Chairperson, was not reappointed. Instead, he was replaced by a female alternate because the board needed female representation. Although there is no argument that a woman needed to be on the board, it is highly irregular that an alternate would replace the board chair, especially when the position wasn’t renounced. With his dismissal, the Planning Board has lost a critical thinker with strong institutional knowledge of the board, its processes, and abilities. We look forward to working with the 2020 chair.
There have been lots of rumors surrounding the Planning Board reorganization decision. What we know for sure is that a representative from PREIT, the group that owns both the Moorestown and Cherry Hill Malls, is very interested in talking to MTC. At the last council meeting, the rep said they want to turn the mall into hotels and motels. We also know that the underground nature surrounding Affordable Housing has stripped many of our boards and committees of their usual functionality.
MX-1 is the new proposed zoning for the Mall. With that zoning change, Moorestown will begin with at least 1,065 units of which 213 are low income. MX-2 is the new zoning at the K-Mart site. Out of the 390 new units, 78 will be low income. To meet our affordable housing needs, Moorestown must also increase traditional development across the township by 80-87% overall. There is also talk of converting the buildings on Route 38, across from Strawbridge Lake Park, into multi-unit homes.
Will Moorestown stay a small town as we plan for thousands of new residents? Will it have enough mini-parks going forward when we are currently in a mini-park deficit throughout the township? As usual, MTC is moving full steam ahead. The current ordinance, 2-2020, which had a first reading Jan. 27, was found consistent with the Master Plan with recommendations by the Planning Board Feb. 6. Second reading is set for this Monday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 pm. Any questions or concerns, this is the meeting to attend!
Affordable Housing Ordinances At a Glance
2-20202 An Ordinance Of The Township Of Moorestown Amending Chapter 180 Entitled “Zoning” Of The Township Of Moorestown By Creating The MX-1 And MX-2 Districts In Furtherance Of The Fair Housing Act. MX-1 will begin with at least 1,065 units; 213 low income. MX-2 will begin with 390 new units, 78 low income.
33-2019 This ordinance established zoning with respect to 17.8
acres of Block 8801, Lot 3.01, the Diocese Site (property located on Centerton Road next to the BurlingtonCounty Agricultural Center). The zoning allows construction of 83 town houses, 17 of which would be restricted affordable housing.
214-2019 This resolution authorizes the execution of a formal agreement with MRD Moorestown, LLC setting forth the agreement of the parties as to the development of 173 units of housing at 118 West Route 38, (35) of which will be designated as affordable.
215-2019 This resolution authorizes the execution of a formal agreement with Pennrose LLC designating them the developer of the Harper Site – a site where 75 units of affordable housing will be built to help meet the Township’s constitutional obligation to provide affordable housing. Basically, Pennrose frivolously sued our neighbors (our neighbors’ had a strong case as the ruling was upheld by a judge) and MTC rewarded Pennrose with a multi-million dollar development deal bypassing the usual request for proposals (RFPs).
38-2019 This ordinance will establish zoning with respect to property located at 200 W. Camden Avenue (Block 1200, Lots 5 and 6, the Lenola Shopping Center Site.) The zoning would allow construction of 60 housing units, 20% (12) of which would have to be restricted as affordable housing.
Closing Thoughts
The Resident Action Coalition does not yet feel prepared to quit our important work. The Moorestown Mall and its redevelopment strategy is very important for our members. The new administration has cited “transparency” as one of its hallmark measures but there have been 22 closed session meetings since April 2019 with two in January 2020.
Our members make it a priority to attend MTC and Planning Board meetings. These developments continue to be closely monitored. If you haven’t been to a meeting lately, or ever, we invite you to join us there.