Money is for Safe Routes to School Program
PETERSBURG — “That’s a lot of money,” Mayor Jay Newman said of the $1.925 million in grants Upper Township added to its budget Nov. 25.
The funding — $1 million from a New Jersey Department of Transportation Trust Fund Local Aid Infrastructure Fund grant and $925,000 from the NJDOT Safe Routes to School Program — are earmarked for infrastructure improvements around the elementary and primary schools.
Township Committee received the Safe Routes to School grant in July and the award represents reimbursement to the township.
Township Administrator Gary DeMarzo said the grant would be used to create significant safety enhancements for those traveling to and from the district’s schools. The work will consist of sidewalk and bike lane improvements.
According to a conceptual map, the township proposed adding sidewalks along North Shore Road from Seaview Avenue to between Holly Berry Lane and St. Georges Place, as well as along North Old Tuckahoe Road from North Shore Road to the school complex at St. Andrews Place.
Crosswalk improvements and curb ramps are proposed for Lenape Lane, Teal Lane, Redwish Avenue, Old Tuckahoe Road, St. Georges Place and St. Andrews Place.
In addition, an on-street bike lane is proposed the length of North Shore Road from the school complex to Beesley’s Point Park along Great Egg Harbor Bay, where it connects with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority path along the Garden State Parkway bridge to Somers Point.
Engineer Ryan MacNeill said the township also would receive another $142,000 for pre-construction design.
MacNeill said construction would begin in 2026 but design would fall under the 2025 budget.
Township Committee also made changes to an ordinance amending the redevelopment agreement with Beesley’s Point Development Group.
Township solicitor Tony Monzo said the amendment consists of two parts — a height requirement for certain buildings on the site of the former B.L. England Generating Station and a change in language to add “resort residential” and “resort commercial” to the list of buildings.
“There are some changes made at the request of the developer based on information provided by the state DEP,” Monzo said.
He said the Planning Board reviewed and recommended both changes. The buildings now must be a minimum of 60 feet tall and a maximum of 100 feet.
“This is anticipating the changes in DEP regulations affecting development all along the coast,” said James Malley, special counsel for redevelopment, adding it would help the developer Beesley’s Point Development Group, acquire a Coastal Area Facilities Review Act permit required to build near water.
A public hearing on the ordinance now is set for Dec. 9 during the next Township Committee meeting, set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
In other business, an awards ceremony for township first responders is set for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Township Hall.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff