Mayor James Davy asked residents to share their ideas about future uses for the closed landfill property at the Pennington’s Town Hall meeting October 23. Stressing that the Borough is in the early stage of exploring possibilities, he said, “Redevelopment is not imminent.”
Background and Location
To give attendees some background, Borough planner Jim Kyle explained that the recommendation for redevelopment is a result of a preliminary investigation of Pennington properties, block 206, lots 4, 5, and 12, covering about eight and a half acres on the north side of West Delaware Avenue and south of Broemel Place, west of the railroad. Lewis Brook runs through this area.
The study, made at the request of the Pennington Planning Board and published in September 2023, found that the landfill property on lot 5 has soil contamination and a trash layer of “approximately 25’ in depth and 65,000 cubic yards in volume.” In addition, various structures on lots 5 and 12 are abandoned and dilapidated.
The Planning Board followed up with a report. sent to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). which approved the land as an “area in need of redevelopment.” At the town hall meeting, Borough engineer Brandon Fetzer said this approval opens up opportunities for potential funding.
Envisioning the Future
Several residents and committee members shared their ideas about how to best use the properties. Recommendations included commercial and community-centered options.
Community arts center: Resident Sarah Taksler offered the most detailed recommendation. She envisions a center that would host movies and special screenings with filmmakers and panel discussions, speakers, concerts, comedy shows, poetry jams, classes, parent and kid events, and more. Taksler suggested that the center could host events that are free to attend and others that would bring in revenue to the Borough.
A new walking path: Historic Preservation Commission chair Eric Holtermann suggested a walkway around Lewis Brook. Fetzer agreed that a walkway would be possible, as well as a playground.
Commercial Use: Mayor Davy and Planning Board member Andrew Jackson recommended revenue generating enterprises. Although they did not elaborate at this meeting, Kyle’s investigation report listed several options permitted by existing zoning including retail sales and services, restaurants, banks, professional offices, theaters, animal hospitals, and recreation areas. A pre-meeting notice on the Borough website mentioned affordable housing.
Jackson suggested the possibility of a train station, depending on New Jersey Transit’s ongoing plans.
Cleaning Up the Landfill
Meeting participants explored two solutions for handling the old landfill trash and soil: capping or removal.
Kyle said the landfill could be capped with an impervious cover which would prevent rainwater from penetrating the area and carrying contaminants to the groundwater and streams, and would protect people and wildlife from contacting hazardous materials.
Jackson countered the capping solution saying, “Once you cap it, it could contribute to flooding because of the impervious cap material.” He gave examples of towns that had originally capped landfills but later removed them because they caused flooding problems.
“My preference is to remove the landfill. Return it to being a greenfield,” Jackson said. He stated that the estimated cost of capping would be over a million dollars and suggested that the money would be better spent on removal.
Susan Bristol, municipal policy specialist at The Watershed Institute, applauded Jackson’s position and encouraged Pennington to consider alternatives, “The property needs to be looked at in a restorative way.” Referring to Stony Brook and Lewis Brook, she added that the area has a C1 status (Category One, defined by DEP as water bodies requiring enhanced protection).
Additional mentions
* Mentioned briefly at this meeting, and for future consideration: Saving the small brick building located behind the Boro Market Restaurant.
* Pennington School’s possible interest in redevelopment plans.
Next steps
Kyle recommended more public meetings and public input. He suggested that a proposal could be made by the redevelopment committee which consists of Mayor Davy; Council President Kit Chandler and member Nadine Stern; planning board president Jim Reilly and member Amy Kassler-Taub; Borough administrator GP Caminiti; and Borough planner Jim Kyle. Another option could include proposals from developers. All proposals would be presented to the public for comments.
Davy emphasized his desire for public involvement and invited people to email him with questions and comments. For contact information, see https://www.penningtonboro.org/
