Kmart Property In Belleville: Could An Update Be Around The Bend?

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Ever since one of the last remaining Kmarts in New Jersey bit the dust in Belleville a few years ago, many residents have been speculating about the future of the property – and what might move in next.

Soon, they may get a glimpse into the crystal ball.

“So, for all those who have been asking for two years what the future of the Kmart property may be, you may be closer to an answer,” citizen watchdog blog Belleville Watch reported Wednesday.

According to a notice of hearing, the Belleville Zoning Board of Adjustment is scheduled to hold a public hearing on an application from Transform Lease OPCO LLC at their meeting on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.

The notice, which can be viewed on njpublicnotices.com, reads as follows:

“NOTICE OF HEARING TOWNSHIP OF BELLEVILLE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. in the Town Hall, second floor (Court Room), 152 Washington Avenue, Belleville, New Jersey the Zoning Board will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on the application of Transform Lease OPCO LLC ("Transform" or "Applicant"), seeking a Certificate of Non-Conformity, (the "Application"), for the building and other structures on the property located at 371-411 Main Street, further identified as Block: 9701; Lot: 1 on the Tax Maps of the Township of Belleville (the "Property"). The Property is improved with a building that housed a Kmart department store (sometimes "Building") and improvements and other structure(s) ("Structures") on the Property. According to public records, the Building and Structures were constructed in, or around, 1977 with an addition constructed in, or around, 1986 (the "Addition"). The Property is currently situated within the Township's BB-2 "Belleville Business District-2 Zone" (the "BB-2 Zone"), which permits Retail, Grocery Stores and Retail Shopping Centers, as did all prior zoning ordinances from 1977 through the present date. On November 1, 2022 the "371-411 Main Street Redevelopment Plan" (the "Redevelopment Plan") which is tailored to the Property, Building and Structures was adopted by the Township. The Redevelopment Plan, as with the BB-2 Zone, permits Retail, Grocery Stores and Retail Shopping Centers. The construction of the Building, Addition and Structures predates the adoption of the Redevelopment Plan, and the present version of the Borough's Zoning Ordinance, which established the BB-2 Zone. The Applicant, therefore, seeks a Certificate of Non-Conformity to recognize the existing Building and Structures as pre-existing nonconforming structure(s) that may be continued. The Applicant also seeks the continuation of such other variances, relief, waivers and/or deviations applicable to the Building and Structures that may be required upon an analysis of the Application and testimony at the PUBLIC HEARING on Transform's Application. When the case is called you may appear either in person or by agent or attorney and present any objections which you may have to the granting of this Application. A copy of the Application and supporting documents are on file and available for PUBLIC INSPECTION in the office of Planning and Development, at the Belleville Town Hall, 152 Washington Avenue, Belleville, New Jersey during that office's regular business hours. Michael P. Bonner Attorney for the Applicant 9/23/2024 $91.16”

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