Long Branch Considers Rehabilitation in Lieu of Redevelopment

 The City of Long Branch has asked its planning board to examine whether the Broadway Arts, Broadway- Gateway and Beachfront South redevelopment zones could be designated as rehabilitation zones.  According to Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider “The ability to have enhanced zoning and planning and the benefits of it are enormous.”  Property owners who spoke at a May 10, 2011, Council meeting were concerned at a potential lack of transparency and harm to taxpayers.

 To designate an area as “in need of redevelopment” the City was required to prove properties were blighted under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law.  To designate an area in need of rehabilitation, there must be proof that a significant portion of structures are in a deteriorated or substandard condition; a continuing pattern of vacancy, abandonment or under-utilization of properties; a pattern of arrears on property tax payments.  A program of rehabilitation could be expected to prevent further deterioration and promote the overall development of the community. 

Rehabilitation areas do provide local government agencies with certain zoning and financing incentives but, significantly, do not authorize the use of eminent domain.  Stay tuned for the outcome of the planning study in Long Branch – the future of these areas may be dictated in the foreseeable future by these efforts.

 For more on this story, please see the following:

 City mulls change to rehabilitation zones, Atlanticville News

 Goodbye To Eminent Domain In Long Branch?, Word on the Shore

 For more on eminent domain in Long Branch, please see the following blog posts:

 Long Branch Owners Win on Appeal

 Rehearing Ordered on Interest Rate Decision in Long Branch Taking

 Long Branch Settlement Spares Homeowners

 The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of Cory K. Kestner, Esq., of McKirdy & Riskin, PA, in the preparation of this article.

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