Borough loses one round in plans to redevelop site

STANHOPE - The size of the borough’s proposed redevelopment area has just been reduced by 1.2 acres. At the borough council meeting of Jan. 24, Attorney Richard Stein announced that the property owned by Norma Fluke had been removed from the redevelopment study zone. “I won round one, but I’m sure they’ll come after me in a different way,” said Fluke, who is anticipating that her battle is not yet over. The property, consisting of her home and Peterson and Sons Tree Service, operated by her brother, was included in the six parcels presently zoned industrial, which would be rezoned for residential use. “It was never the intention to seize anyone’s home as an aspect of redevelopment,” Stein said, adding that he had spent several weeks negotiating with the Fluke’s attorney, and in the final outcome it was agreed to remove the property from the study area. Stein said that a resolution is required to remove the property from the study area and will be prepared. Mayor Diana Kuncken said that the council was happy that this situation had been brought to resolution. Fluke’s position has been championed by many locally and across the country. Borough school children appeared at a recent borough council meeting with petitions against the takeover. After she and daughter Marjorie appeared on the Fox News television show Hannity and Coombs, the Flukes were contacted by people across the country, confronted with similar problems, offering advice and support. “I think the straw that broke the camel’s back was the Hannity and Coombs. I heard from people all over the county. It’s such a hot topic (eminent domain); I feel it did a lot. The town realizes I won’t sit still. If the public learns anything from this, the town fathers should know to just don’t open the door when the developers come knocking,” said Fluke commenting on the council’s decision to change the status of her property. Fluke said that when the first assessment of the property was done she was unaware that it was happening. “The next time I’ll be prepared,” she said. “The town does need ratable, but we do not need to have a millionaire come in and get richer.”