The ordinance (O-32-22), introduced in August and approved in September, amends the Central Business District Redevelopment Plan to revise standards for the CBD-3 Subdistrict. City Administrator Jacqueline Foushee said in a telephone interview last week that the measure was introduced to pursue recommendations within the downtown strategic plan as well as support the proposed development.

The Bridgeview site, now proposed as a Vermella development by Russo Development, is one of 14 opportunity sites identified in the downtown strategic plan adopted earlier this year. The plan recommended “exploring increasing the permitted height, and potentially density, at least along the Bridge Street frontage across from the railroad, and the Clarkson Place frontage, across from the Rahway River.”

The Carlstadt-based developer presented a revised proposal to the Redevelopment Agency this summer and was designated as redeveloper of the 3.25-acre site. About 75 percent of the proposed 292 units would be built in the first phase, in addition to 2,275 square feet of retail along Clarkson Place and Bridge Street. The second phase would include another 72 units and another 2,500 square feet retail space at the corner of Clarkson Place and Monroe Street.

Currently, CBD-3 allows for maximum building height of 3 stories/40 feet and 4 stories/50 feet for properties of 20,000 square feet or more. The maximum gross density is limited to 50 units per acres and 75 units for 20,000 square feet or more. Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is limited to 3.0. CBD-3 is one of six subdistricts within the Central Business Redevelopment Plan (CBD-1, CBD-2, R-2 Medium Density Single Family, R-4 High Rise Multi-family, and MX – Mixed Use District.

The amended ordinance added higher limits specifically for properties of 95,000 square feet or larger:

• 5 stories/65 feet
• 90 units per acre
• 3.75 Floor Area Ratio (FAR).