On Wednesday, March 4, the Borough hosted a neighborhood meeting to review the terms of a proposed settlement agreement that will impact the future of the property known as Buck Woods (Block 3301, Lot 27.01). The meeting recording is available to watch on the Borough’s HPTV YouTube Channel.
The Borough’s professional team outlined for the audience the history of the decades-long litigation with the property owner, JSM at Highland Park LLC (JSM), who alleged that the Borough dumped debris on the property more than 30 years ago, causing contamination. The court has already determined the Borough bears some responsibility for the contamination, which brings with it a potential financial exposure of more than $5 million.
In addition to reviewing the legal case, the Borough provided an overview of the current land use approvals in place for the Buck Woods property. To date, JSM at Highland Park has secured all the necessary approvals in order to apply for building permits to construct a 75-unit apartment building consisting of 63 market-rate and 12 affordable units, with larger than average unit sizes (2,500 SF), a single point of entry/exit, and a private tot lot. The estimated school impact from this project would be 32 children.
For more than a year, the parties have engaged in settlement negotiations to avoid a lengthy and costly trial. Throughout these discussions, Borough officials emphasized several non-negotiables: no direct payment or debt, no expansion of the building envelope, no reduction in affordable housing, and clear community benefits. The settlement agreement provides for an increase in the number of residential units from 75 to 148, including 126 market-rate units and 22 affordable units, but with no change to the approved building dimensions. The plan includes two points of entry/exit, improved fire access, a connector road, enhanced landscaping buffers, a public park/playground, and a walking path connecting to the Meadows Trail. The estimated school impact from this project would be 24 children.
Next steps in the settlement process are the approval of the agreement at a meeting of the Borough Council. Following that, the lawsuit would be withdrawn and the Borough would proceed with a redevelopment area designation, plan adoption, and subsequent site plan approvals.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Teri Jover at tjover@hpboro.com or 732-819-3789.
