The Planning Board deemed five properties on Esterbrook Avenue as a non-condemnation redevelopment area, sending the recommendation to City Council.

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During its May 25 meeting, the board unanimously (8-0) approved a planner’s recommendation that the five lots meet the criteria for a non-condemnation area in need of redevelopment under the state’s Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (LRHL)

The vote came after about a 15-minute presentation on the Esterbrook Avenue Redevelopment Study (which was detailed in this post last week), with few comments from the public or commissioners.

The study examined five properties along Esterbrook Avenue between Central and Elm avenues: Block 151, Lots 7 and 20-23. Two of the five properties (Lot 21/1430 Esterbrook Ave. and Lot 22/1416 Esterbook Ave.) met the definition of redevelopment on their own. Another two (Lot 20/1436 Esterbrook Ave., and Lot 23/1410 Esterbrook Ave., would not satisfy the criteria on their own, however, given their proximity to other lots and the entire redevelopment area, planners recommended that they be included. “It makes sense for them to be a comprehensive project, it needs to be included to square off the area,” Rachel Fleming of Heyer, Gruel & Associates said.

Pastor William Whitehead of Elm Avenue, the only member of the public to speak during the public hearing, asked whether residents of one of the properties that’s occupied know that it’s being examined and what if they are not agreeable to redevelopment.

Board attorney Karl Kemm replied that all property owners were advised of the hearing by both regular and certified mail, as required by law. Under non-condemnation redevelopment, he said the board decides whether to recommend to City Council and the mayor, which would make the final determination on redevelopment, then figure out the zoning for it in the future. In non-condemnation redevelopment, any property transfer would be with consent of current property owners, Fleming added.
“I know that area very well,” Board member William Hering. “That area really needs a lot of help,” he added.

“That section of Esterbrook Avenue definitely needs redevelopment of some sort,” Board Chairman Jeff Robinson said. “What that will be we’ll see, but this is just a first step.”
Kemm explained that the matter now will go back to City Council. A resolution with more detail will be drawn up, like a regular application, explaining that the board found it met the criteria for redevelopment and will recommend to City Council and the mayor that the area be declared in need of non-condemnation redevelopment.

The same process was followed when the former St. Mark’s Church, and several adjacent properties, were deemed as meeting redevelopment area criteria. City Administrator and Redevelopment Director Robert Landolfi previously has said that a developer has acquired the Esterbrook Avenue properties and expects some type of multi-family development, with lower density than downtown.

The Planning Board is scheduled to next meet on June 29. City Council is scheduled to next meet on June 14.

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