theSummitzone

CRBD Gets Ordinance to Increase FAR to 300%

thesummitzone — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:53:34 +0000

The Summit City Council approved an ordinance to increase downtown floor area ratio or FAR from 225% to 300%. In a 6 to 1 vote (Nov 5th meeting) council approved the ordinance drafted by the city planning board to permit property owners in the CRBD zone (downtown) an opportunity for additional development. The ordinance allows for the increase in FAR only if the property owner intends to add residential units to the upper floors.

The master plan re-examination committee and planning board had previously recommended the increase in FAR. However, the recommendation was linked to a downtown parking study and plan to increase downtown parking capacity.

A parking study is expected to be completed by Dec 2008 or Jan 2009. It is expected that the parking study recommendation will lead to an immediate parking solution for downtown.

08-2827 Amend DRO – Central Retail Business

(Increase Floor Area Ratio to 300%)

Former Infiniti Dealership Property Remains Business Zone

thesummitzone — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:27:40 +0000

In a surprising close vote of 4 to 3, Summit City Council voted down the Planning Board’s recommendation to re-zone the Franklin Place property to the R-5 residential zone.

The property owner’s architect presented a concept plan for an appropriate transit-style residential development. Residential neighbors to the East and North of the property were organized in their support of an R-5 designation.

Common Council members voting against the R-5 designation seek an alternative residential designation allowing for greater unit density on this property located next to the downtown (CRBD) and walking distance to the train station.

08-2817 Amend DRO(Rezone Infiniti Auto

TD Bank acquires Commerce Bank in Summit

thesummitzone — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:13:07 +0000

The former Commerce Bank located at 27 Summit Ave is now TD Bank. The signage was replaced around the first of November. The manager is Richard Kosovitz.

Investors Savings Bank Remodels Summit Branch

thesummitzone — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:01:51 +0000

Investors Savings Bank has remodeled the Summit branch located at 393 Springfield Ave. The former Summit Federal Savings Bank branch was taken over by Investors several months ago. This brings to 5 redesigned branches- Washington, Clinton, Dunellen, Berkeley Heights and Summit, recently remodeled by Investors.

CRBD 300% FAR TO BE DISCUSSED

thesummitzone — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 01:41:44 +0000

The Director of Community Services, Beth Kinney, sent a memo to Common Council regarding a recommendation to start the discussions to change the current CRBD zoning ordinance from the current 225% DRO to 300% FAR. The memo promotes the City’s contract planner’s view that the 300% change may be tied to downtown residential development thereby limiting the parking/traffic impact concerns which have stalled adoption of 300%.

Common Council (Sept 16th meeting) referred the matter to the Planning Board for their recommendation.

Parking Services Requests Rate Increase

thesummitzone — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:15:23 +0000

Rita McNary, Parking Services Manager has asked Common Council for an increase in parking fees for resident commuter and downtown employee, leased space and bagged meter/dumpster effective January 1, 2009. The Sept. 16th memo seeks the introduction of 3 ordinances for the increase.

The City Council hearing date is expected to be October 21st.

Memo Link parkingincrease

This action follows the Common Councils approval of a rate increase for non-resident rates for the NJ Transit lot and Broad St East Lot taken up on Sept 3rd.

Maplecrest Realty -Former Riegler Dodge Site Wins Planning Approval

thesummitzone — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:38:01 +0000

The City of Summit Planning Board granted approval of the applicant’s site plan and variance for parking and loading area. The former Dodge Dealership located at 314-320 Springfield Ave will soon be converted to retail use by the property owner. The renovated 88 year old building will have about 8,000 square feet of retail space and permit on-site parking.

Chris Welsh is the architect for the project and Jim Woller represented the owner, Mark Riegler. The decision makes way for a much needed property improvement as well as addition to retail space on Springfield Ave.

Parking Study Public Workshop

thesummitzone — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:03:53 +0000

The City of Summit held a public meeting at the Lawton C. Johnson Middle School on September 23rd. The meeting was a short presentation by the Desman Associates on the status of the study and to solict comments and ideas from the public.

The preliminary assessment from their research indicates Summit Downtown needs more parking spaces and an administrative ”systems” overhaul. The planners referred to our current approach to management as a”punitive system” and indicated other options may better serve the public.

The parking space shortage is most acute at 1 PM week days.

Desman’s presentation was well prepared and they seem capable of solid research and sound recommendations. City staff attended as did representatives from City Council. Several downtown property owners attended as did representatives from SDI, Summit Chamber of Commerce and several Summit residents.

Study results are expected sometime in December 2008.

Claremont Realty Group Opens in Summit

thesummitzone — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:16:39 +0000

Summit’s Newest Residential Real Estate Brokerage, Claremont Realty Group has opened at 35 Beechwood Rd Suite 2C. This is a temporary location until their office space is completed in the Claremont Corporate Center at 535 Springfield Ave.

The Broker of Record and Managing Principle is Janet George. For more information visit: www.claremontnj.com

The Promenade at Summit Names Retail Tenants

thesummitzone — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:03:19 +0000

A special ribbon cutting ceremony was held on September 22 for The Promenade at Summit a mixed-use development located 545 Morris Ave. across from the newly renovated state-of-the-art Schering-Plough office campus.

The Promenade features a retail level, 22 condominims and 7 single family homes. The retail tenants are a new Drug Fair, a Union Center Bank branch, and a Dunkin-Donuts quick-service restaurant. Residents and shoppers have ample parking with easy access to Route 24/I-78 and a few block from the Summit Train Station in Downtown Summit.

The Promenade is developed by Diversified Properties a well established developer of upscale projects in the Northeast.

For additional information visit: www.545morrisave.com www.545morrisave.com/news.html