Plannng Board

City of Trenton Planning Board Public Hearing Thursday, October 12, 2023 City Hall Members in Attendance: Charles Romanow, Chair Randy Baum, Vice Chair Markus Green Jeff Halpern Joseph Harrison Anthony Santora Wanda Swiggett Members Not in Attendance: Jonathan Conner Caty Dominguez Patricia Ni’ma-Mohammed Staff in Attendance: Michael Kolber, Senior Planner Thomas Hall, Planning Board Attorney Cherry Oakley, Planning Board Secretary PUBLIC HEARING Current Planning Board Membership (as of 10/12/23) Class Term Ending Date Board Member I (Mayor’s Representative) Mayor’s Term Markus Green II (City Employee) 12/31/23 Anthony Santora III (City Council 12/31/23 Joseph Harrison Representative) IV (City Resident) 12/31/26 Patricia Ni’ma- Mohammed IV (City Resident) 12/31/23 Randy Baum IV (City Resident) 12/31/25 Jeff Halpern IV (City Resident) 12/31/23 VACANT IV (City Resident) 12/31/25 Jonathan Connor IV (City Resident) 12/31/26 Charles Romanow ALTERNATES IV (City Resident) 12/31/23 Wanda Swiggett IV (City Resident) 12/31/24 VACANT 1 The meeting was called to order at 7:18pm by Mr. Romanow. He read the Open Public Meetings Act and a quorum was verified. Approve Minutes September 28, 2023 Member Aye Nay Ab- Motioned Seconded stain Charles Romanow X Randy Baum X Markus Green X Jeff Halpern X X Joseph Harrison X X Anthony Santora X Wanda Swiggett X Memorialize the Resolution 2023-12 the Amended Cannabis Ordinance Member Aye Nay Ab- Motioned Seconded stain Charles Romanow X Randy Baum X X Markus Green X Jeff Halpern X X Joseph Harrison X Anthony Santora X Wanda Swiggett X Mr. Woo Kim, a Principal at WRT Planning and Design Firm, was sworn in. He reviewed the analysis as conducted and authorized by the City Council of Trenton. Referencing a PPT projected to the chamber on a digital monitor. He described the planning grant and planning process used to conduct this study. A CHOICE Neighborhood implementation grant of $50M is being pursued through a HUD grant that has a submission deadline of December 11, 2023. 2 He reviewed the timeline of the work done and the work to be completed. He noted that there were multiple community engagement efforts to listen to the residents in the area and gather comprehensive data in order to complete the study. He noted that in the past few months, Junior One has experienced some “…advanced fire damage” and can no longer support adaptive reuse. He described the unit types in the study area, including affordable homeownership and mixed-income rentals. He reviewed the Statutory Criteria A through H that can be taken under consideration for making a recommendation for a study area. He highlighted that all criteria, except for E & F, were met within this analysis. The demolition of Donnelly Homes would be done through the School Board and what can be salvaged will be salvaged. The City has the right to go to the School Board and ask them to try to salvage as much as possible, such as the carved stonework. Statutory Notice does not go to renters but owners and other ‘interested parties.’ The City has tried to connect with residents through the community engagement process and those types of efforts will continue throughout the process. Mr. Kolber reviewed the community engagement efforts and the resulting document collating all the input received. Mr. Kolber reported that they are going above what is statutorily required to engage and plan with the community in this neighborhood. The City is trying to provide diverse offerings to meet the varied needs in the neighborhood. Mr. Kim noted that the homeownership opportunities are lower than they would want because the HUD program they operate under is for Public Housing, which is based on creating 100% of rental units. However, working with the developer some homeownership is possible. Mr. Kim indicated that the level of vacant units in Donnelly Homes is approximately 10%. Danielle Jones, a homeowner in the study area, was sworn in and asked what this means for her family. Mr. Kim indicated that her home is in the designated area and although her property does not meet the criteria it is needed to effectuate transformation in the area. He noted that one of the 34 units would be an option for her given that she does not want to become a renter. He indicated that there is a process that would be used to navigate whatever would happen with her property and relocation. Mr. Kolber noted that as per requirement, a relocation plan has to be in place or this designation will have no impact. There will be case management services to help with relocation. Ms. Diane Rochelle, resident, was sworn in and stated that she thought this was a really good project. She indicated that the whole street needs to be updated. She noted that the 3 violence in the area has transformed the area over the past 45 years. She noted that Trenton is in need of something to restore the City. She shared her memory of what Donnelly Homes was intended to be and what the area was like when she was growing up. She indicated that homeownership needs to be taught because some people who have not left the area are not aware of how to maintain a home so that it does not deteriorate or reflect poorly on a neighborhood. Mr. Kolber indicated that upon implementation if there is a property that is determined to fall under Eminent Domain then outreach to her will occur and negotiations will begin until there is a resolution that is acceptable to all parties. Mr. Kolber explained if her home needs to be acquired the developer is required by law to offer a fair market price for the home. He assured her that it will not be acquired for no money. He also indicated that the City is interested in the process of transforming this area to work for everyone as pursuing things in court is not the City’s preference. Ms. Jones indicated that she only has $400 of expenses for her property taxes and she is concerned that once this plan is implemented, she will not have an option for relocation that is as affordable. Mr. Romanow asked if there was anyone else who wanted to speak for or against this project. With no answer from the gallery the following vote was set forth: Find that the study area of Donnelly Homes is an Area In Need of Redevelopment Member Aye Nay Ab- Motioned Seconded stain Charles Romanow X Randy Baum X Markus Green X Jeff Halpern X X Joseph Harrison X X Anthony Santora X Wanda Swiggett X Mr. McGill read the Resolution into the record. Memorialize Resolution 2023-13 Donnelly Homes determined to be an Area In Need of Redevelopment Member Aye Nay Ab- Motioned Seconded stain Charles Romanow X Randy Baum X Markus Green X Jeff Halpern X X 4  Joseph Harrison X X Anthony Santora X Wanda Swiggett X Mr. Kolber sought guidance from the Board on the Zoning Ordinance, which he noted was “…inadequate related to the housing in this area” as the Plan will supersede the Zoning in the Area. He described the options the City is trying to choose from for addressing the need to increase building height to accommodate density. The change will be attributable to only 4 multi-family buildings that front onto Martin Luther King Jr. Street in the study area. Adjourned 8:33 PM Respectfully submitted Cherry Oakley, Planning Board Secretary 5