Barrington Bulletin
The most complete and most convenient source for news and information about the borough of Barrington, N.J.
Council authorizes preparation of plan for St. Frances de Sales property
Borough council has OK’d creation of a rehabilitation plan for the St. Frances de Sales property along Willmont Avenue in Barrington, according to a resolution passed this month.
The resolution notes the property was determined to be an area in need of rehabilitation by Bach Associates of Haddon Heights, then names the group to prepare the rehabilitation plan. Steven Bach is the planning board’s appointed engineer.
According to state statute:
“Rehabilitation” means an undertaking, by means of extensive repair,
reconstruction or renovation of existing structures, with or without the introduction of new construction or the enlargement of existing structures, in any area that has been determined to be in need of rehabilitation or redevelopment, to eliminate substandard structural or housing conditions and arrest the deterioration of that area.
I’m confused…who owns the property? The borough?
I’ve reached out to the borough for clarification, as the state rules are quite vague. It appears the municipality does not need to be the owner of the property. The municipality just needs to find the property is in disrepair and is underused/abandoned, and that rehabilitation will benefit the community. (http://www.state.nj.us/dca/lgs/authreg/statutes/40a_12a_1.pdf)
At this time, a plan will be created to rehabilitate the property. That plan will need to go before the borough council, and there will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the plan if they so choose.
Would someone please explain what this means? The borough has so many unfinished projects as it is why start another one?