SaveMontclair provides information about the development projects and related issues as well as important preservation activities going on in Montclair.

We inform residents how to voice opinions and concerns to impact decisions.  Its very important that our planning board and elected officials know our concerns and what we want otherwise decisions are made based on a lack of insight or information.  Speaking out at meetings is most effective since you speak when the topic is discussed and it goes into the public record. As an option, emailing or speaking with your councilor can also contribute to keeping what we love about Montclair.

There are several major projects in "redevelopment areas" in the works currently along Bloomfield Avenue.  It is overwhelming to try to understand all the development proposed in Montclair but its important to try to understand the “overview  section “of the project you will be most impacted by.  This development will change our Downtown  Center dramatically, at minimum, by adding density and congestion.  Residents should gain major benefits in return.  

Keep in mind, a developer may build outside of zoning restrictions in a  "redevelopment area".  In the current master plan version zoning for Bloomfieid Ave Center/ Downtown ( and Bay Street) seen here is 6 stories and can build up to 7 or 8 if the developer provides public benefits. Below are a few actively being planned now.

1.Montclair Center Gateway, Phase 1 ( Mixed- Use/ Apartment complex now viewed at corner of Valley Rd and Bloomfield Ave; the 8 story hotel ( plus rooftop bar) to be built on corner of Orange Rd and Bloomfield Ave). Phase 1 was planned and approved under previous administration of Mayor Fried.  
2.Montclair Center Gateway, Phase 2 police station area
3.Lackawanna Plaza block area
4.Seymour St/ Arts District Wellmont Theater area
5.Elm/New & Mission Area Plan along Bloomfield Ave between Elm, Hartley and New Streets.
In addition,  HUMC/ Mountainside Hospital area is also being redeveloped.

See details of proposals 2-5 above and planning board meetings agendas. The public is welcome and may question or comment during designated public comment.

** Note: Planning board meeting agendas may change at moments notice by the planning office without public notification, so if necessary verify topics with that office.   Well thought out, informed public comment is valuable to the planning board for their consideration and goes into public record. TV 34 also covers planning meetings live. Although your councilor may not be able to answer questions about plan details, you can voice your concerns with a meeting or in email.

 Go to link for details of current ( May 12) Redevelopment Proposals. \Spread the word and Like us on Facebook.

During the August 8 planning board meeting, Carole Willis provided her review of the Parking Management Plan from the long anticipated parking study now complete.  The planning office expects the actual final plan to be updated on the town site in next few days on the planning page for public viewing.  Local businesses were highly critical of the parking study since it did not include surveys for business owners to provide feedback of parking needs when it asked residents to complete online surveys.

Ms. Willis stated in her commentary that ... “recommendations will have the effect of reinstating the bias toward excessive development that resident protest successfully removed from the originally proposed "Unified Land Use & Circulation Element." "  Some included are below:
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1.It recommends that Montclair’s growth centers allow all parking requirements be met through a Payment In Lieu of Parking (PILOP) option.
2.It recommends that via payment of a low one-time PILOP fee; the burden of building and maintaining parking spaces be greatly shifted to Township parking lots and to residential streets.  
3.It recommends a 50% reduction in the number of spaces that our Master Plan requires developers to provide.
4.It seeks to increase overnight street parking on streets classified as "Residential Street" and/or "Neighborhood Thoroughfare"; achieved via voting procedures whereby every apartment building on/near a said
5.Favors statement of parking space maximums. (Via conversion of minimums to maximums).

It was reported that Councilor Rich McMahon and former town manager, Marc Dashield hired the firm about 4 years ago to do the study. 

The completed parking study here (see page 42 for recommended strategies) is with the Council who once its on their agenda, will determine if any parts are accepted as town ordinances.  This is the time to voice opinions to your councilor prior to the study being reviewed by the Council possibly as early as August 23.