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Politics & Government

Amended Ordinance Enables Nursery to Expand into New District

Committee also makes 'technical' changes to other ordinances

A local business no longer needs to seek a zoning variance in order to relocate to the HOO district now that the Township Committee has approved an amended ordinance. 

The governing body unanimously approved an ordinance, 2011-03, Tuesday night allowing nurseries and garden centers in the HOO district. The ordinance, Township Planner Bob Ringelheim explained, enables an existing business, Central Jersey Nurseries, to relocate to the HOO district without the need for a variance.

Because New Jersey Department of Transportation has acquired a portion of Central Jersey Nurseries’ existing property for the Route 206 bypass, the company would like to expand onto other property it owns in the HOO district.

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“It just makes a lot of sense, given what’s happening with that property,” said Committeeman Frank Delcore. “It’s a common-sense approach to the issue.”

The committee also adopted an ordinance, 2011-05, revising an existing regulation regarding the maximum number of permitted residential flats or lofts in the Town Center district. The actual calculation method, Ringelheim said, does not change.

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“It is a technical wording change,” he said, noting that the word “density” had been incorrectly used in the original regulation.

The third ordinance on the agenda, 2011-06, had to be amended. Township Attorney Albert Cruz explained that the ordinance to vacate a portion of Vroom Drive, which would then be sold as an access easement, contains an error in the metes and bounds description.

“It is technical but it is also substantive,” he said.

Committee members voted to introduce an amended ordinance, with a public hearing to be held April 12.

The Township Committee also introduced an amendment to Ordinance 2008-18, reallocating funds that had been originally designated for a Salt Dome Door, which is no longer necessary. The new ordinance (2011-10) would enable the township to utilize the remaining $10,000 available in Ordinance 2008-18 for additional equipment and/or improvements at the Salt Storage Building. A public hearing is scheduled for April 26.

In other business, Deputy Mayor Carl Suraci noted, on behalf of the Credit Card Advisory Committee, that sufficient funds had been generated through the credit card program to award money to the Hillsborough Senior Center for a Wii system to be used for exercising and to Senior Chapter B for a wheeled cart and microphone system.

The Township Committee recognized Hillsborough High School Senior T.J. Guidice for his championship wrestling season and four Somerset County titles.

In light of recent weather conditions, Del Core reminded residents that road conditions and closings are available by going to the Police Department’s website (www.hillsboroughpolice.org) and signing up for the Nixle Alert System, which sends real-time alerts via e-mail, text message and Twitter. Alerts are also announced on radio station 1610 AM.

The local business recycling program is up and running, Mayor Gloria McCauley reported.

“I hope this program will serve as an example to others in Somerset County,” she said.

Additional information on the program is available by calling the Health Department.

McCauley also noted that the number of election districts in the township has been increased by four, bringing the total to 33. Impacted voters will be notified by mail in April prior to the Board of Education elections.

The Township Committee also authorized the hiring of Pamela Borek as Secretary to the Administrator/Clark at an annual salary of $39,000 and April Crossen as Deputy Treasurer at an annual salary of $48,500.

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