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Courthouse Square Plan Moves Closer to Approval - TAPinto.net

FLEMINGTON, NJ - Flemington Council inched further toward approving a new redevelopment plan for the Union Hotel at a meeting Tuesday, making minor tweaks to it which will require another vote before it can be finalized.

After years of negotiation, Courthouse Square developer Jack Cust and the borough came to terms with a scaled-down version of plans that were approved in 2017, in hopes of addressing residents’ concerns that the proposal was too large for the space and wasn’t in keeping with the two-story Victorian homes along Spring Street and Bloomsbury Avenue, which border the project.

The revised plans eliminate proposed medical and educational space, reduce the number of apartments and retail space and bring down the building height to just over 63 feet, while retaining the police building, 78 Main Street where the Potting Shed is located and the former Hunterdon County Bank building sits.  It calls for renovating the Union Hotel, which will hold 100 hotel rooms, a restaurant and a pub.

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The plan also calls for electric car charging stations, possibly a rooftop restaurant, solar energy panels and space for holding outdoor events.

At a meeting earlier this month, the council introduced an ordinance approving the new plan, referring it then to the planning board to review it to be sure it complied with the master plan. The planning board agreed that the new plan “substantially” met master plan requirements, but suggested amending it in two ways.

One was to require that if a building is ever erected on the former Flemington Furs site – which is currently proposed as a parking lot – that it be a “visual terminus,” meaning a building with visually appealing architectural elements such as elaborate windows, balconies or a tower. The building itself can’t be any more than four stories, but an architectural element such as a spire could exceed the borough’s height requirement.

The council agreed unanimously to include that revision Tuesday night, which means that the ordinance will need a subsequent vote and public comment period at its next meeting Oct. 13 before the plan can be finalized.

The planning board also recommended requiring the developer to include sustainable and environmental building features, such as bike parking and paths. The current plan only encourages the developer to do so.

While the measure had support of councilmen Chris Runion and Michael Harris, other council members questioned how far those requirements should go and how much it would increase the cost of the project.

“Requiring green development designations can have a significant impact on a project’s pro-forma,” said planner Elizabeth McManus.

"I fear if we put (green building) requirements in here, we're going to go back to a 90-foot tall building," added Mayor Betsy Driver.

Runion said he believes requiring it is the only way to get it done.

"If we don't require them, I don't see it happening,” he said.

Some of Runion’s concerns were echoed by residents who said they want to see more grass along Spring Street.

"I see dogs in the picture and I don't see a place for dogs to do their thing," said resident Joanne Braun, referring to one of the exhibits McManus provided in her presentations.

“The project as proposed is still not appropriate for this town," added resident Lois Stewart, who also cited the lack of grass along Spring Street.

Flemington Community Partner Executive Director Robin Lapidus said other accommodations can be made for pets, such as stations with bags for cleaning up after them.

“Having a plaza on Main Street will greatly enhance any kind of tourism,” she said.

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Courthouse Square Plan Moves Closer to Approval - TAPinto.net
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