Does Stanhope needs redevelopment?

To the Editor: This letter is addressed to all Stanhope taxpayers. On Oct. 24 I attended a Land Use Board meeting for the Borough of Stanhope, which is my reason for writing this letter. As you may be aware, the meeting was held to discuss the proposed redevelopment area in Stanhope. This area involves 19 acres of land on Furnace St. and Old Waterloo Rd. One of these properties belongs to my mother, Norma Fluke, and the others belong to Salmon Brothers, Isolatek, U.S. Mineral Wool and Netcong Development, LLC (formerly Compac). These companies, with the exception of Compac, have been here for years and are still operating today. The Compac site has already been changed from industrial to VAR village age restricted. The borough hired a planning consultant to do a study of this area and he has concluded that all properties meet the criteria for an “area in need of redevelopment.” Seven criteria are used, but only one of the seven needs to be met. The last of the criteria says, “The designation of the delineated area is consistent with smart growth planning principles adopted pursuant to law or regulation.” That criterion could cover any piece of property in the Borough. Is your property safe???? The copy of the study is on file in the Borough office and is available to any resident. The next Land Use Board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. My main concern, and the reason for this letter, is to make the taxpayers aware of this plan and to ask for your opinion on this matter. How do you feel about redevelopment in this area? I currently have a daughter in kindergarten with 24 children in her class. My son is in Lenape Valley, and they are utilizing the planetarium as a classroom due to lack of space. Can our schools handle more children? Netcong has plans for 201 condos and townhouses, which is also going to have an effect on Lenape Valley High School. The ambulance squad is extremely short handed now. Are we going to need a paid squad to handle this growth? Do you seriously think it will make our taxes go down? More town workers, more garbage service, more police ...the list could go on and on. Marjorie Fluke Stanhope