City Council moved forward with the Arts District Redevelopment Plan, introducing an ordinance to accept the plan and amend the city’s zoning map.

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The governing body unanimously introduced the ordinance (O-17-20) during its June 22 combined meeting. The measure must come up for a public hearing and final approval, likely to during City Council’s next meeting, scheduled for July 13.

The legislation comes a few weeks after the Planning Board unanimously confirmed that the plan is consistent with the city’s master plan. The board recommended one revision, clarifying the definition of eating and drinking establishments and restaurants.

Once the ordinance is approved by City Council, authority over the plan then would shift to the Redevelopment Agency, which could designate a redeveloper and negotiate a redevelopment agreement, under the power of the state’s Local Redevelopment Housing Law.

The Arts District redevelopment area runs from Seminary Avenue to Elizabeth Avenue between Irving and Main streets, and encompasses Central Avenue and Hamilton Street. Under the concept designed by Red Bank-based Heyer, Gruel, and Associates, there would be 136 residential units, including 44 units at the former St. Mark’s Church property and 16 townhouses along Gordon Place and Seminary Avenue. Another 76 units are envisioned within new buildings along the block around Irving, Coach and West Main streets and Elizabeth Avenue.

Last month, City Council accepted the plan and forwarded it to the Planning Board for its review.

The area was designated for redevelopment last summer after City Council directed the Planning Board to undertake a preliminary investigation of six properties, including the former St. Mark’s Church, to determine if they should be declared a condemnation area in need of redevelopment. In June, the Planning Board recommended the area be designated a condemnation area in need of redevelopment and by August, City Council formally designated it as a redevelopment area. The designation authorizes the city to “exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire properties within the study area in the event it is determined that such acquisition is necessary.”

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