There shall be a Township Redevelopment Agency, which shall
be appointed pursuant to and shall have such powers as are provided
by N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq., the Local Redevelopment and Housing
Law, and by other ordinances of the Township pertaining to redevelopment
of the area of the Township commonly known as the "Town Center."
A.
It is hereby declared that there exists in the Township an area commonly
known as the "Town Center"; that the area is a blighted area or area
in the process of becoming blighted, as defined by N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-3,
by reason of inadequate planning of the area; that such area has been
and will continue to be harmful to the physical, social and economic
well-being of the community, necessitating excessive and disproportionate
expenditure of public funds for the safeguarding of the health, safety,
morals and welfare of the citizens of the Township; and that the clearance,
planning, construction and redevelopment of the area will promote
the public health, safety, morals and welfare, stimulate the proper
growth of the area, preserve existing values and maintain taxable
values of properties within or contiguous to the area, and encourage
the sound growth of the community.[1]
B.
Therefore, as a matter of legislative determination, it is hereby
declared to be the policy of the Township to promote the health, safety,
morals and welfare of the citizens of the Township by the creation
of the Township Redevelopment Agency for the purpose of replanning
such area commonly known as the Town Center and of holding, redeveloping
or disposing of the area in such manner that it shall become available
for economically and socially sound development by private or public
enterprise, or by a combination of both.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
The Township Redevelopment Agency.
The Council of the Township.
The Township.
The Township Town Center project.
The area of the Township commonly known as the Town Center.
Any person or public agency that shall enter into or propose
to enter into a contract with the agency for the redevelopment of
the area or any part thereof under the provisions of this article.
The clearance, replanning, development and redevelopment;
the rehabilitation of any improvements; and the construction and provision
for construction of commercial, industrial, public or other structures
and the grant or dedication of spaces as may be appropriate or necessary
in the interest of the general welfare for streets, parks, playgrounds
or other public purposes, including recreational and other facilities
incidental or appurtenant thereto, in accordance with the Master Plan
or any part thereof or redevelopment plan approved by the Council.
The area commonly known as the "Town Center."
The plan for redevelopment of all or any part of the redevelopment
area.
[Amended 3-19-2008 by Ord. No. 08-010]
A Redevelopment Agency is hereby established consisting of nine
Commissioners. The Council shall appoint six Commissioners, the Mayor
shall appoint two Commissioners, and the Commissioner of the State
Department of Community Affairs shall appoint one Commissioner. The
terms of the Commissioners appointed by the Council and Mayor shall
be for five years, except that, of those first appointed, two shall
serve five-year terms, one shall serve a four-year term, one shall
serve a three-year term, one shall serve a two-year term, and one
shall serve a one-year term. Any Commissioner appointed by the Mayor
or the Council shall be a resident of the Township at the time of
appointment. The terms of these Commissioners shall continue until
their respective successors are appointed and have qualified. The
Commissioner appointed by the Commissioner of the State Department
of Community Affairs shall serve at the pleasure of the Commissioner
of the State Department of Community Affairs.[1]
At its organizational meeting, the Redevelopment Agency shall
provide for regular meetings at a time and place within the Township.
The resolution may provide that, when such a day falls upon a legal
holiday, the meeting shall be held on the same hour on the next succeeding
day that is not a legal holiday.
The Redevelopment Agency, at its annual organizational meeting,
shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman from among the Commissioners,
to serve for one-year terms each and until the election and qualification
of their successors.
The Redevelopment Agency may employ a secretary, technical experts
and such other officers, agents and employees, permanent and temporary,
as it may require, and shall determine their qualifications, duties
and compensation. The Agency may call upon the Municipal Attorney
or may employ its own counsel and staff for such legal services as
it may require.
No Commissioner or employee of the Redevelopment Agency shall
acquire any interest, direct or indirect, in any project or redevelopment
area or in any property included or planned to be included in such
area, nor shall he have any interest, direct or indirect, in any contract
or proposed contract for materials or services or in any property
to be furnished or used in connection with the project or redevelopment
area. If any Commissioner or employee of any agency owns or controls
an interest, direct or indirect, in any property included or planned
to be included in the project or redevelopment area or in any contract
or proposed contract, he shall immediately disclose the interest in
writing to the Agency, and such disclosure shall be entered upon its
minutes. Failure so to disclose such interest shall constitute misconduct
in office. Upon such disclosure, such Commissioner or employee shall
not participate in any action by the Agency affecting such property
or contract.
A Commissioner of the Redevelopment Agency may be removed by
the Council for inefficiency or neglect of duty or misconduct in office,
provided that he is served with a copy of the charges at least 10
days prior to a public hearing thereon and is afforded an opportunity
to be heard at such hearing, in person or by counsel. In the event
of the removal of any Commissioner, a record of the proceedings, together
with the charges and findings thereon, shall be filed in the office
of the Municipal Clerk.
The Township shall make an estimate of the amount of money required
by the Redevelopment Agency for the administrative and other purposes
of the Agency and may appropriate and advance such amounts to the
Agency and as it deems necessary. The Agency shall:
A.
Annually submit to the Township an estimate of all income and expenses
for the redevelopment project, which shall include all its indebtedness,
including payments necessary to meet interest and principal payments
on bonds issued pursuant to this article. Such estimate shall be subject
to such changes as the Township may prescribe. No such estimate shall
be effective unless it is approved by the Council, and no expenditures
or disbursements for any redevelopment project shall be made by the
Agency except in accordance with an estimate, or any amendments or
modifications thereof, so approved by the Council.
[Added 1-20-2004 by Ord. No. 04-005]
The Township Redevelopment Agency, established pursuant to the
"Redevelopment Agencies Law," P.L. 1949, c. 306 (N.J.S.A. 40:55C-1
et seq.), repealed by the "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law," P.L.
1992, c. 79 (N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq.), shall continue to exercise
its redevelopment functions and powers in accordance with the Local
Redevelopment and Housing Law, as amended from time to time. The Redevelopment
Agency shall conform to and also be subject to the requirements of
the "Local Authorities Fiscal Control Law," P.L. 1983, c. 313 (N.J.S.A.
40A:5A-1 et seq.).
[Added 1-20-2004 by Ord. No. 04-005]
In addition to all such powers as are specifically granted to
the Redevelopment Agency pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq., and
as may otherwise be generally allowed pursuant to other applicable
statutes, regulations and ordinances, the Redevelopment Agency shall
also have the power and authorization to:
A.
Implement and carry out the components of all current and future
redevelopment plans and projects.
B.
Inquire into, survey and publicize the extent, advantages and utility
of vacant land and other dormant and underutilized properties located
in the Township.
C.
Classify such land and properties according to their adaptability
for the establishment and development thereon of various types of
economic activities.
D.
Study and analyze business trends, requirements and developments
to ascertain the opportunities for economic expansion in the Township.
E.
Advertise the business advantage and opportunities and the availability
of suitable sites and facilities in the Township and otherwise initiate
and pursue appropriate efforts to encourage and accomplish economic
development and expansion within the Township.
F.
Cooperate with other Township departments, agencies, committees and
local civic organizations to promote, encourage and assist economic
development within the Township.
G.
Arrange for the sale or lease of the Township's vacant lands to businesses
whose location thereon is best calculated, in the judgment of the
Redevelopment Agency, to advance the interests of the Township and
its citizens.
H.
Exercise such other powers as may be reasonably necessary and appropriate
to accomplish its purposes and goals in accordance with applicable
laws and regulations.
