Hillsboro planning board finds Sunnyme landfill redevelopment plan consistent with master plan, recommends adoption

The Hillsboro Township Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend that the township committee adopt Ordinance 2026-07, which would establish the Sunnyme Landfill Redevelopment District for Block 182, Lots 6 and 7.02 and adopt a redevelopment plan for approximately 14.83 acres including the former Sunnyme landfill.

Planner Mr. Kois told the board the referral was for a consistency review under the local redevelopment and housing law and that the board was not considering a development application at tonight’s meeting. "It is my professional opinion that the redevelopment plan is substantially consistent with and designed to effectuate the goals and objectives of the Hillsboro Township master plan," he said, adding the plan aims to encourage adaptive reuse of a previously disturbed property in an established industrial corridor while ensuring ongoing compliance with landfill closure and postclosure requirements and environmental monitoring systems.

Board members questioned the site's operational history and the timeline of monitoring and sale. Mr. Kois said the landfill was active historically through the 1980s, remained monitored while vacant, and that sale and redevelopment required establishing monitoring and remediation measures acceptable to a purchaser and state oversight. He emphasized that adoption of the ordinance would place the redevelopment plan into effect as the zoning vehicle for future site plan applications.

The redevelopment plan lists permitted principal uses including solar energy systems; Class B recycling facilities subject to environmental approvals; office and research-and-development uses; self-storage; enclosed manufacturing and assembly; lumber and building material storage; contractor facilities; indoor and outdoor recreation; and vehicle service facilities, with accessory uses regulated by the township code.

Chair moved and the board seconded a motion finding Ordinance 2026-07 consistent with the master plan and recommending adoption by the township committee. A roll call vote recorded unanimous support from present members. The planning board's recommendation will be presented to the township committee at its next regular meeting for final action.