Calls For 'Civil' Debate As Tensions Around Summit Broad St. West Rise

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect comments released by Summit residents in response to the Interfaith Council's statement.

SUMMIT, NJ — As the proposed Broad Street West redevelopment has caused a lot of debate among Summit residents and council members, the Summit Interfaith Council asks that discussion remains "respectful."

The Interfaith Council is a coalition of religious leaders in Summit, which exists to "seek the welfare of the city." As a revised proposal for the Broad Street West redevelopment will be announced in the fall, the Council is encouraging residents to "treat each other in a civil manner, creating a space for respectful discussion despite different views about the proposed redevelopment."

Since January, tensions surrounding the new development have risen, as residents have spoken out at countless council meetings and even held a rally.

Read more: Summit Residents Protest Broad St. West Design Ahead Of 6-Hour Meeting

Residents have mainly taken issue with the proposed size and scale of the Subdistrict 3 building, which currently calls for at least 133 residential units at five stories high. Residents have also complained that redevelopers have not proposed enough parking at the development, which many believe will cause more traffic and congestion in the city.

Read more: 800+ Summit Residents Sign Petition Against Broad St. West Development

The Summit Common Council decided to delay a vote on the redevelopment plan, because of the immense opposition to the project, and now plan to present a revised plan in September.

Read more: Opposition To Broad St. West Prompts Cancellation Of Planning Meeting

Although the council has put the redevelopment voting process on hold for the summer, this has not stopped residents from talking about Broad Street West.

The Interfaith Council reminds residents to listen to each other and act respectfully when discussing the project.

"Passion in pursuit of the common good is not a bad thing," The Interfaith Council said in a statement. "Rather, it is when we allow passion in support of or opposition to a civic proposal to override our willingness to listen to each other, to look at the facts, and do the hard work that leads to a common solution that we cease to promote and model community."

Part of the Broad Street West redevelopment involves building affordable housing units. Summit has a state-mandated obligation to create 50 units of affordable housing by 2025.

The Interfaith Council stated that this settlement agreement is something they fully support.

"As faith leaders, we agree with each other that all human beings deserve a decent place to live," the Council wrote. "In New Jersey, given a long history of discriminatory housing practices, every community, Summit included, is now legally mandated to do its share to create affordable housing. At this point, Summit has work to do to reach its goal of 50 affordable units by 2025."

"We have heard for over two years now that we are 'in this together,'" the Council added. "While this addressed the pandemic, it may also apply to the vision of our City. In the weeks ahead, we encourage a full, open, and respectful discussion of the opportunity Summit has in redeveloping Broad Street West. Working together as a community, let’s support a workable plan, recognizing that compromise is needed to address the issues facing our community."

According to resident Deborah Oliver, the group Residents for Summit "completely supports the idea of more affordable housing." Oliver told Patch that Residents for Summit have "repeatedly asked for greater than the required 15 percent affordable housing, and one resident asked for the housing to be 100 percent affordable," which can be seen in the June 1 Council meeting on YouTube.

The Future Of Broad Street West

City Administrator Michael Rogers said at the Tuesday, July 26 council meeting that the city has asked for a project plan that proposes a much smaller building or buildings with fewer residential units that support the goals outlined in the Master Plan.

He said the council has also re-emphasized the city's need for affordable housing and on-site parking that comports with the redevelopment plan.

Future action items by the council will include forming a working group that consists of professionals from the community with expertise in commercial real estate and finance to assist the city in project negotiations, engaging city advisory commissions in the planning process to provide input and hosting additional public meetings in the fall.

A modified timeline for the project is expected to be provided in September, according to the city.

More information about the project can be found on the city's website.

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