Sussex, Wantage approve planner for redevelopment

WANTAGE — Both Wantage Township and Sussex Borough approved the appointment of Kenneth Nelson of Nelson Consulting Group to provide planning services for a potential redevelopment area.

Upon the recommendation of the township Land Use Board, the Wantage Township Committee unanimously endorsed and confirmed Nelson's hiring on Feb. 26.

Township Attorney Glenn Kienz explained that the Land Use Board approved Nelson's contract, but the committee needed to approve it.

Mayor Bill Gaechter said Harold Pellow is normally the township's engineer and planner. Because the borough is trying to work closely with Sussex Borough, it also is using Nelson, the borough's planner.

"What we are trying to do is have our zoning on our borders (with Sussex Borough) match," Gaechter said.

Kienz said that Nelson will complete two tasks.

Firstly, a report to determine if the area is indeed in need of redevelopment. Then the Planning Board will make a recommendation to the committee. Secondly, if the committee decides to take the Planning Board's recommendation and run with it, it will be the responsibility of the committee to develop that redevelopment area.

Sussex Boroughthe Sussex Borough Council also unanimously approved Nelson at a cost not to exceed $4,500 on March 3.

Mayor Jonathan Rose explained to new members of the council that the area includes several properties: the Weibel property, Brown House, and north of the Brown House along Route 23.

Municipal Clerk/Administrator Mark Zschack added that the area also includes the south side of Weibel Plaza and all of those properties.

President Linda Masson said that they had voted to change the zone months and months ago.

Rose explained that first the Planning Board needed to make a recommendation. Now it goes back to Nelson. After that, the Planning Board will review Nelson's report, agree the area is in need of redevelopment, and offer comments.

"We are at step three of seven," Rose said.