The Matawan Borough Council approved a resolution authorizing T&M Associates to prepare the borough’s Transit Station Redevelopment Plan Amendment.
This Redevelopment Plan Amendment is a product of the process that began in 2014 and was recently affirmed in the adoption of the borough’s 2015 Master Plan, according to information provided by the borough.
More specifically, the Redevelopment Plan Amendment sets standards for the preservation of areas of the Redevelopment Area with environmental constraints, while allowing higher density and mixed-use development within closer proximity to the train station, including moderate to high-density residential units complemented by various retail, office and civic uses that cater to residents and commuters, according to information provided by the borough.
“I know [the resolution] had to do with some loopholes in the plan itself that we needed to tighten up. So it was just to lay a better foundation so that we can build from there,” Mayor Joseph Altomonte said.
The council approved the resolution during its recent meeting at the municipal building.
These amendments to the Transit Station Redevelopment Plan envision a new neighborhood comprised of a mix of residential, retail, transit and open spaces, according to information provided by the borough.
The main areas will focus on the establishment of a mixed use which includes: retail/residential; pedestrian friendly Main Street corridor; preservation and public enjoyment of the Historic Matawan Train Station; reconfiguration and increase in commuter parking for the train station; new mid- to high-density residential dwellings; linkages that support the revitalization of Matawan’s downtown; and preservation/establishment of private and public open space for enjoyment of new residents, as well as the residents of the borough and the surrounding areas, according to information provided by the borough.
“We are going to be partners with NJ Transit, so there are certain things that they wanted and they expected doing redevelopment for so long that small changes would be beneficial legally for everybody,” Altomonte said.
After T&M Associates revises the current redevelopment plan, Altomonte said the borough “will resign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NJ Transit. We are waiting for them [and] the attorney general has to review all documents for NJ Transit, so that takes a little time. We are trying to speed it up, but usually it is about a three-month process. … Once the MOU is signed on their [behalf], then it can go out to bid and we can get the Transit [redevelopment project] started.”
The Transit Station Redevelopment Area is located in northeastern Matawan Borough and is bounded by the Wilson Creek to the west and north, Atlantic Avenue to the east, across which lies Aberdeen Township, as well as Lake Matawan and residential uses to the south.
The Redevelopment Area is bisected by the New Jersey Transit North Jersey Coast Line, according to information provided by the borough.
For more information about the Transit Station Redevelopment Plan Amendment visit www.matawanborough.com/matawan/General%20Notices/2015%20Train%20Station%20Redevelopment.pdf.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
