City: East Third/Richmond Project Must Meet Plan

Just as a 150-unit development proposal was nearing approval Thursday, a last-minute letter from the city's attorney changed things.

Planning Board attorney Michele Donato said a redevelopment plan exists for the site and the applicant, Crown Real Estate Holdings, must meet qualifications as a redeveloper in order to proceed, Elnardo Webster II, the applicant's attorney, said his client is the property owner, not a redeveloper.

Donato said the letter, received only that night, means because the plan is in place the company will have to enter into a contract with the Union County Improvement Authority or the City Council, if the UCIA is no longer the designated entity.

"It's very unfortunate that the letter came in as late as it did," Webster said.

The East Third/Richmond redevelopment plan dates back to 2006. The designated redeveloper, Capodagli Property Company, and the UCIA could not agree on terms of a contract and Capodagli was allowed to withdraw in 2008. However, the plan is still on the books, along with several others that are dormant.

Crown Real Estate Holdings began meeting with the Planning Board in March and returned in following months. Webster also met with the Planning Division's new Technical Review Committee for guidance. The board heard from Webster and several experts Thursday on issues regarding a proposed "sub-surface" parking garage for the 125-unit building, various amenities including a gymnasium, storage space for tenants and a perimeter fence.

The former Cozzoli Machine Company site must also undergo environmental remediation required by the NJ DEP before construction. That is separate from any Planning Board oversight

Regarding the redevelopment plan, it can be rescinded, Planning Director William Nierstedt said after the meeting. The UCIA early on promised to keep the City Council informed on all its redevelopment projects, but not much was heard in recent years. In 2013, the city and the UCIA reached a settlement on costs associated with projects, but the status of several other redevelopment plans is unclear.

Despite all the complications for the East Third/Richmond site, Webster said after the meeting the company expected to start construction in March 2016 and complete the project in 2017.

--Bernice