Princeton Borough & Township Residents Vote to Consolidate

On November 8, voters in Princeton Borough and Princeton Township overwhelmingly approved a referendum to merge governments and become one municipality. The decision to put consolidation on the ballot came after extensive debate and review of the issue over the last 18 months. Independent research group, Center for Government Research, conducted an in-depth 75-page consolidation study that revealed that over $3 million in savings could be realized if the two municipalities merged. To view the report in full, visit http://www.cgr.org/princeton/docs/Princeton%20Consolidation%20DCA%20Fiscal%20Report%20with%20Appendix.pdf

Approval of the referendum is the first step in a detailed process to consolidate the two municipalities. The two governing bodies are expected to come up with a transition plan and appoint an implementation task force that is comprised of a mix of borough and township residents, elected officials and municipal staff. The consolidation report will serve as a road map for the Task Force, which will be charged with guiding the consolidation process; creating the new united borough form of government; overseeing the merger of the two police and public works departments; and establishing the frameworks for the advisory planning districts.

Twenty percent of the transition costs incurred during the transition period are expected to come from the state under a consolidation incentive program supported by the Christie Administration (for more information on the incentive program, visit http://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/552011/approved/20110930a.html); the remainder will come from the two municipal budgets. For the latest information on the Princeton Borough and Township consolidation process, visit http://www.cgr.org/princeton/.

Robbinsville Adopts Redevelopment Plan for Portion of Matrix Business Park

In late October, the Robbinsville Township Council approved a redevelopment plan for a 176-acre section of the Matrix Business Park near Old York Road that includes a five-year property tax abatement to spur development in the area.

The Southeast Industrial Area redevelopment zone is comprised of nine mostly vacant lots located between Interstate 195 and Gordon Road near the township's border with Upper Freehold along Old York Road (Route 539). The remainder of the 434-acre Matrix Business Park is not in the redevelopment zone. The recently-approved redevelopment plan expands the types of permitted uses in the zone to include solar farms and data processing centers. The office buildings, warehouses, light manufacturing and flex buildings that were permitted under the land's prior Planned Commercial District zoning could still be built there as well.

The Township established a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) program for the area, which will help encourage development and offset the expense of an environmental cleanup that must be done before a 64-acre section of the tract closest to Gordon Road can be developed. The PILOT program only applies to the nine lots in the redevelopment zone, not the entire Matrix Business Park.