MARLBORO – The Marlboro Township Council is directing the Planning Board to investigate whether properties that are junkyards and automobile salvage businesses could be redeveloped for residential uses.
Council members took the action on Aug. 10.
Mayor Jonathan Hornik said the board’s investigation will be undertaken to determine if the 11 sites in question could be redeveloped in order to help satisfy Marlboro’s state mandated obligation to provide opportunities for the development of affordable housing.
Affordable housing is defined as housing that is sold or rented at below market prices to individuals and families whose income meets certain guidelines.
The 11 sites to be examined by the Planning Board are junkyards and car salvage operations.
The sites are Aberdeen Auto Salvage, Baron’s Auto Salvage and P&J Auto, on Texas Road; H&H Auto Wreckers, Insurance Auto Auction and Midway Auto, on Texas Road and Tyler Lane; Marlboro Auto Wreckers and Schechter Enterprises, on Tennent Road; Morganville Auto Wreckers, Spring Valley Road; and B&B Auto Salvage, Route 520.
“When I was elected in 2007, we knew we had a huge affordable housing burden,” Hornik said. “We also knew we had a number of junkyards in town. We want those areas cleaned up and we want to convert those environmentally challenged areas into clean ratables.”
The investigation will examine the conditions at each site to determine if it could be suitable as a location for affordable housing.
“Our goal is to turn a negative into a positive in town,” Hornik said. “My office and the council always try to do what it takes to make Marlboro better. Taking a look at junkyards with the idea of having them cleaned up and turned into a positive aspect is making Marlboro better.”
Township Attorney Louis Rainone said if it is determined there are sites that can be rezoned, the next step would be to create a redevelopment plan stating the uses for a specific property.
Rainone said all of the businesses named as part of the board’s investigation still have an active salvage license. He said any property that municipal officials may want to acquire would not be seized without proper compensation paid to the owner.
In other business, the council approved the construction of a new synthetic turf soccer field at the municipal complex. The project is expected to cost about $970,000.
Hornik said Marlboro received about $194,000 in reimbursement from the New Jersey Green Acres program and he said the Marlboro Soccer Booster Club has committed another $200,000 toward the cost.
According to the township, the synthetic turf soccer field will be constructed next to an existing multipurpose field that is between the municipal complex and the Marlboro Middle School.
“The new field is going to be a terrific addition to our recreation facilities which continue to improve year after year,” Hornik said.
