Belleville residents protest redevelopment in 4th ward

A plan to redevelop a combination of residential and industrial properties abutting a railroad in Belleville’s Fourth Ward has residents up in arms, as several homes would be torn down should the developer’s design come to fruition.

In a split vote this past September, the Township Council declared the properties at 91 Terry St. and 371-381 Cortland St. a “non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment,” something that under New Jersey law takes the planning for an area out of the Planning Board's jurisdiction.

Vincent Frantantoni, a community activist and former Belleville commissioner, sees the problem as resting in the 1985 state law that allows local governments to amend ordinances widening the parameters of what are allowed to be considered areas in need of redevelopment.

“I blame our state legislators,” Frantantoni said during an interview at his home Nov. 30, during which he presented an architect’s drawings for the property, which he had obtained through a public records request. “They created this provision for an ‘area in need of redevelopment.’”

He objects to the portion of the law stipulating a redevelopment area that may include “lands, buildings, or improvements which of themselves are not detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare but the inclusion of which is found necessary,” for the redevelopment.

During a meeting of the Township Council on Nov. 29, residents continued to voice their disapproval of the redevelopment plans.

“There has been no discussion from the four council members who voted in favor of the redevelopment for Cortland Street despite the overwhelming evidence presented by members of the public detailing the objections,” Brighton Avenue resident Mary Higgins said.

In a heated exchange with the governing body, Higgins demanded to know why Councilmen Joseph Longo, Steve Rovell and Vincent Cozzarelli voted for the ordinance.

“In my opinion, it’s the best thing for the town,” said Cozzarelli.

Cortland Street resident Bob Schmitt, too, demanded more specifics.

“If I were a councilman, and I knew there were a family or two families who were going to lose their homes if this development went through, I’d like to know a reason,” he said.

Mayor Raymond Kimble said that the municipality has not taken the land by eminent domain, as has been the case in other places in the municipality. Portions of the property in question were sold to a developer.

Kimble later noted that the municipality will bring in more tax revenue.

In an interview afterwards, Township Manager Mauro Tucci addressed the matter.

“It’s an emotional issue,” Tucci told the Belleville Times. “Folks have lived there a long time and change is hard, but development is necessary.”

Council member Steven Rovell argued the land needs to be redeveloped no matter who lives there.

“Forty diesel trucks sitting in your backyard, illegal business sitting in your backyard?” Rovell asked during the meeting.

Jeff Mattingly, who operates a custom-cabinetry business at 89 Roosevelt St., the area in question, disputed Rovell’s claim.

“These trucks start up and leave. They’re not sitting there 24 hours a day,” he said.

Email: kadosh@northjersey.com