Byram Village Center plan open to public

Byram - Porches, cottage-like structures and no garages facing the street front are the major characteristics township residents can expect should the Village Center Redevelopment Zone actually be developed. Also to be expected: a five-acre village green. Although the township council has yet to set a date for the introduction of the proposed Village Center Redevelopment plan, the public can look at the draft copy during regular business hours at the municipal building. In the plan, the public will see pages of “dos” and “don’ts” for commercial and residential property within the zone, all geared toward creating a village atmosphere in the pedestrian-oriented section of the township. The Village Center plan is the third in a series of proposals for the future of the township. The smart growth plan introduced the Village Center plan in 2002, focusing on the center as a magnet for growth in the township with a goal of keeping green spaces green. The second proposal was the Lake Communities Development Plan which was released in 2003, as an examination of current and potential land uses taking into consideration the environmental constraints of each lake community in isolation and taken together. The 2004 master plan focused on the remaining areas of the township, leaving the Village Center concept for future consideration. The township was able to convince the state to include the Village Center plan as part of the State Plan Policy Map. By designating a village center, the township was able to put an additional 5,600 acres of the township into 5- or 10-acre zones. The designated village center is from Acorn Street to the northern boundary of Byram Plaza, between Lubber’s Run and the Family Theme Park Zone. The area designated by the township as in need of redevelopment is bounded by Route 206 to the west, Lackawanna Drive to the north, Wild West City to the east and East Brookwood Road to the south. It consists of Block 365, Lots 2 and 5. Lot 5 is the bigger of the two and is owned by one of the Stabile family corporations, but is not in the Highlands Preservation area as is the theme park. The area is the largest unconstrained area available for development either within or near infrastructure in the township, according to the plan’s narrative. The plan will be in the offices until the public hearing is held.