Highland Park Mirror

MY TURN / JEFFREY AARON

The re-zoning of the YMHA lot concerns everyone. The outcome could affect traffic, the environment, schools, and taxes. The issue will return, since the new owner profits from building as many units as possible.

The positions of Highland Park Citizens for Responsible Riverfront Development (HPCRRD) are as follows.

Highland Park Citizens for Responsible Riverfront Development supports retaining the current zoning only, in light of the issues that we have been speaking of, including traffic issues, safety issues, density, loss of open space, etc.

Highland Park Citizens for Responsible Riverfront Development opposes any re-zoning in accordance with the provisions for that lot that are in the current master plan, which would also be unacceptably dense residential construction for the area. Should a compromise be put on the table, HPCRRD will consider such a proposal at that time.

Highland Park Citizens for Responsible Riverfront Development vigorously opposes the plan recommended by the Borough hired professionals, presented on December 21, 2006, which, in tier three zoning, allowed density and height in excess of the master plan, which is already too dense. Our opposition is in recognition of the likelihood that developers will utilize the highest tier to obtain maximum profit, especially in light of the original proposal by the YM-YWHA, which was far in excess of tier three.

Despite these positions, we presented a plan that called for 90 residences, plus the Y. Most of our many supporters felt 90 units was much too dense; nevertheless, our plan was a compromise to enable the Y to remain, and to avoid a truly extreme plan.

Had the developer's plan been reasonable, there might have been no significant opposition. How such extremes garnered support of the Y executives in their financial situation is worth considering, since such a plan would not likely meet approval and thus lead to their departure, which no opponents sought.

Our current position, in light of the sale, is that there is no longer any need for compromise. We withdrew our plan in favor of our position against rezoning.

The most recent US census shows that Highland Park has the highest ratio of housing units per square mile of any Middlesex County municipality. Recent traffic gridlock at our intersections demonstrates that the traffic survey of 2005 is stale. The survey was done prior to development plans for the Cenacle site and prior to a consideration of possible development on Cleveland Avenue, all situated along the hot spot for traffic problems, pollution and vehicular and pedestrian accidents.

There should be no consideration of rezoning of any sizable property which would increase residential density pending a Borough-wide analysis of wise growth, as well as so-called "smart" growth, to preserve our environment and the small town character of Highland Park.

Since there is no registry of remaining open space in HP, we urge a dialogue including as many citizens and businesses as possible before any changes are made which could cause damage to our town, to our quality of life and possibly to our economy through increased pressure on the school system and infrastructure.

Jeffrey Aaron
President, HPCRRD