Redevelopment plan changed for Center Circle plan

City Council is expected to approve an ordinance that would amend the Central Business District (CBD) Redevelopment Plan, allowing a proposal for 219 units on the Center Circle property on Main Street. The Planning Board recommended the approvals last month.

The proposed ordinance (O-29-16), introduced at the Oct. 11 meeting, would amend the Central Business District (CBD) Redevelopment Plan to “effectuate redevelopment” of the Center Circle property. Part of the 3.5-acre Center Circle property (Block 305, Lot 5.04) falls within the M-X subdistrict in the Redevelopment Plan and the ordinance would add Block 305, Lot 5.02.

A public hearing and final approval of the ordinance is scheduled for the Nov. 10 regular meeting. In the meantime, the Planning Board approved a resolution at its Oct. 25 meeting recommending approval of the amendments.

UPDATED: The Nov. 10 regular meeting was canceled and rescheduled for Nov. 21, when the ordinance was approved unanimously, with no questions or comments from the public or City Council members. The application could comeĀ before the Planning Board as soon as itsĀ Dec. 20 meeting.

The redevelopment plan would be amended for density and impervious surface, among other things, to conform between city codes, according to Leonard Bier, executive director of the Redevelopment Agency.

Center Circle.1255 Main St.Front elevation

The Redevelopment Agency was presented with a new concept plan for the Center Circle property in August. The 219-unit proposal would continue a pattern of five-story developments downtown. There would be parking to accommodate 196 cars but no retail included. An application could come before Planning Board as early as the Dec. 20 meeting.

The redevelopment plan currently allows for the following on Lot 5.04:

  • Minimum lot area: 30,000 square feet
  • Minimum lot width: 75 feet
  • Minimum lot depth: 200 feet
  • Minimum building and parking setbacks: none required
  • Maximum residential density: 143 units/acre
  • Maximum building heights: 5 stories, including 1 parking level/80 feet
  • Maximum building coverage: 100 percent
  • Minimum number of parking spaces: 1/unit

The ordinance adds the following requirements of Lot 5.02:

  • Minimum lot area: 150,000 square feet
  • Minimum lot width: 200 feet
  • Minimum lot depth: 200 feet
  • Minimum building and parking setbacks: 5 feet, excluding driveways to parking under building
  • Maximum residential density: 65 units/acre
  • Maximum building heights: 5 stories, including 1 parking level/80 feet
  • Maximum building coverage: 60 percent
  • Maximum lot coverage: 90 percent
  • Minimum number of parking spaces: 1.25 spaces/unit
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One thought on “Redevelopment plan changed for Center Circle plan”

  1. When will the construction of all these apartments stop??? Is rahway being turned into a congested small town. City??? And who’s benefiting from your business ventures. Every time I look around there’s an apartment being built. I’m sure in years to come the park on Elizabeth ave will be converted to build another apartment complex. I am a home owner and I have children and would love them to enjoy some green space and not so much congestion

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