Clark Township council approves redevelopment study for long‑vacant AMP property

Clark Township Council on Sept. 5 approved a resolution authorizing a preliminary redevelopment study of three parcels in Block 105, including 56 and 52 Westfield Avenue and a nearby Broadway parcel, to determine whether the area qualifies as an area in need of condemnation redevelopment.

Township counsel told the council the planning board will conduct the study under the local housing and redevelopment law and stressed that adopting the resolution preserves the town’s option to pursue condemnation but does not require it. "Doesn't mean the council will exercise that power," counsel said, "It only means that, in order to preserve its ability to do that, it has to up front explain that it's going to be a potential condemnation matter." The council approved the resolution by roll call vote.

The resolution was introduced as Township Council Resolution 24‑112. A council member said the parcels include the former AMP property, which had earlier approvals for an apartment complex but has not been developed. "Most recently, they have the only people that have been inside of it," a resident later told the council, urging action. Michael Schulman of 382 Carolina Street described the building as an "eyesore" and said it is "incredibly dangerous" in its present condition; he asked what the town would do if the current developer did not move forward or if the parcels were condemned.

Council members said the planning‑board study could be scheduled as soon as the next meeting or the following meeting and described the study as the first step in a multi‑step legal process. Mayor Bonacourso, speaking after the council’s procedural remarks, recounted the town’s past interactions with the property’s owners and developers and said the town would follow statutory processes while not revealing strategy to the developer. He also reminded the public that the site is private property and that the owner had contacted police about trespassing.

The council’s roll call recorded affirmative votes; the resolution passed. The planning board will prepare the study, make it available to the public and hold a public hearing at which the planner will present findings and members of the public may comment. The council did not take any immediate action to acquire or demolish the property at the meeting; those steps would be subject to future procedures and decisions.

The council opened the meeting to public comment and then closed public comment before adjourning. The council listed future meeting dates (Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5).