Amendment To Blackwood West Redevelopment Plan Considered

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Gloucester Township Council unanimously approved a proposed ordinance on introduction to amend the Blackwood West Redevelopment Plan at its meeting Monday night.

The proposal calls for the office use and accessory vehicles of an electrician, painter, plumber, and similar establishments at 534 North Black Horse Pike, according to a copy of the proposed ordinance posted on the township's website.

It is the sixth amendment to the plan, and comes two weeks after Township Council gave final approval to the same services at 44 West Church Street. It was the only proposed ordinance discussed Monday night.

The public hearing and final vote will take place at the Oct. 13 meeting, which will be held on a Wednesday night due to the Columbus Day holiday.

The Blackwood West Redevelopment Plan focuses on revitalizing this traditional commercial center and its nearby neighborhoods in west central Gloucester Township, according to the township’s website.

Some of the plan’s objectives include:

• Removing deteriorated and obsolete structures that are having an adverse impact on the business climate and neighborhood vitality in Blackwood West;
• Bringing in new customers to existing businesses;
• Stimulating new business;
• Encouraging investment in existing key commercial buildings that form the basis for the Blackwood West Historic District;
• Developing “high quality housing types” not presently offered in Gloucester Township; and
• Expanding the use of Blackwood Lake as an amenity for the community, among other goals.

The township’s strategy is to attract “empty nesters” and “young professionals” through appealingly designed housing, and to use mixed-use buildings and mixed site development to accomplish this plan. Read more about the plan at glotwp.com.

The plan was developed after the mayor, police officer, code enforcement officials and other officials inspected the area near the Black Horse Pike on June 28, 2010. They noted what improvements were needed, and developed a plan to reach those goals, according to the township’s website.

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