UPDATE: March 4, 2023
The Cranford Township Committee Meeting on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 is expected to have a presentation of the North Avenue redevelopment area consisting of properties on North Avenue East, Springfield Avenue and Union Avenue North. A diagram of the redevelopment area is on page 4 of the Redevelopment Plan.
UPDATE: May 17, 2022
Ordinance 2022-11 to adopt the Redevelopment Plan for the North Avenue East Gateway was approved at the May 10, 2022 Township Committee Meeting.
UPDATE: May 1, 2022
The public hearing and vote for adoption of the North Avenue East Redevelopment Plan is scheduled for the May 10, 2022 Township Committee Official Meeting at 7:30 pm.
UPDATE: March 27, 2022
Topology has released a North Ave Redevelopment Outreach Memo of February 28, 2022.
Among many other recommendations, Topology recommends keeping the public parking/open space at the corner of Springfield Avenue and N. Union Avenue and fire station.
Topology’s Draft North Ave Redevelopment Plan Version 2 is available.
UPDATE: November 14, 2021
Topology will holding a Town Hall on the North Avenue Redevelopment Plan at 7:00 pm Thursday, December 9th at the Cranford Community Center on Walnut Ave.
UPDATE: October 1, 2021
Public Engagement Sessions
Cranford Township released the dates for these public sessions. Try to attend at least one of the sessions. Share your ideas, concerns and questions before a plan is finalized. Topology, a planning firm with experience in resident outreach has been hired to do this work.
The planners will seek input on building design, infrastructure improvements, housing options, parking, street and pedestrian improvements, impervious surfaces that may contribute to flooding, and other concerns.
One-on-One Drop-In Times:
October 10 at the Cranford Street Fair, 11 am – 4 pm
October 15 at Eastman Clock Plaza, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
October 16 at the Gazebo, corner of Springfield & North Union, 10 – 11:30 am
October 18 at the corner of Centennial and Lincoln, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Town Hall Meeting
October 19, 7:30 – 9 pm
Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Ave
Open House
October 27, 7:30 – 9 pm
Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Ave
There are also 2 online Surveys:
Redevelopment Preferences Survey –
https:/www.Surveymonkey.com/r/NorthAveSur1
and
Housing and Retail Preferences Survey –
https:/www.Surveymonkey.com/r/NorthAveSur2
If you are unable to participate in any of these sessions you can send your thoughts to the dedicated email address: redevelopment@cranfordnj.org
Additional information is in the September 30 Cranford Township Newsletter.
UPDATE: August 15, 2021
A little more information is available for the North Avenue Gateway redevelopment “public engagement” process:
- An online survey is scheduled to be posted towards the end of August.
- Drop-in sessions around town for residents will be in September.
- There will also be “Stakeholder” meetings with various civic organizations and Township boards and committees.
Once all the information is collected, there will be a Town Hall presentation with Q&A and a Public Forum with presentation and small group discussions.
Dates and Times will be posted along with locations.
UPDATE: July 21, 2021
With pressure from Cranford residents, the Township Committee reversed its position on the timing of community input for the plan.
Topology NJ LLC will be preparing the Redevelopment Plan. They released an outline for a “Public Engagement Plan” to occur during preparation of the draft instead of after.
Specific dates and locations for each phase of Community Engagement are expected to be posted soon.
This project, part of the Fair Share Plan, in general calls for a 3 story mixed-use development with up to 42 total units with 8 of those affordable housing units.
An image of the overall project area is on page 35 of the Fair Share Plan. Some of the properties within the project area are not included. The Fire House is excluded.
These are the affected properties (exclude the Fire Department)
In July of 2020, the Planning Board contracted with Maser Consulting to do an investigation to determine if the area qualified as a “Condemnation Area in Need of Redevelopment”. The conclusion is that the area does qualify. Here is the Maser Report.
This page on Cranford’s website contains FAQs for the project from August 2020.
In February 2021 the Township Committee solicited “Expressions of Interest” for the North Avenue Gateway Redevelopment Area (RFEI) outlining the parameters of the proposed project and what properties within the target area are included. The request Cranford sent out is Request for Expression of Interest
The Review memo and responses are on the Cranford website North Ave Gateway page.
According to the June 19, 2021 Cranford Township News, the Township Planner will begin preparing a Draft Redevelopment Plan. The first community meeting is expected to be in September 2021.