During the Monday, February 10, meeting of the Township Council, members passed several resolutions, including one deeming the Oval a “Dog Friendly Space.” The Council also introduced one new ordinance, passed another, and pulled one that was set to adopt a redevelopment plan for the Livingston Mall.
At the start of the meeting, Barbara Bye, board member of the Friends of the Livingston Library, gave a presentation and explained its “65 for 65” campaign. They are asking for residents to contribute $65 to the organization in honor of its 65th anniversary.
Livingston High School student Veer Agarwal of ResQFood was also lauded for his work cutting down on foodwasteandredistributinguneaten food. He received a citation for collecting and delivering food to those in need in nearby communities.
Stop Sign Ordinance
An ordinance was introduced to install stop signs on Chetwynd Terrace (at the Westmount Drive intersection), Sandalwood Drive (Scarsdale Drive), and Marberne Terrace (Bear Brook Lane). This ordinance will have its second hearing during the Monday, February 24, meeting.
ParkVue Ordinance
An ordinance was passed to amend the town’s zoning map concerning conditional uses within the township code. Specifically, this ordinance permits a unit for the superintendent to live on-site above the maintenance building at ParkVue at Livingston.
Dog Friendly Oval
Declaring it was “in the best interest of the Township of Livingston and its residents to expand the public areas in which residents may walk their dogs to include the walkway and park grounds surrounding the Oval,” the Council passed a resolution approving new areas for dogs to be permitted.
Dogs will now be permitted on the inside oval of Robert Harp Drive, the area from the curb line to ten feet inside the curb line, the remaining areas containing athletic fields being expressly excluded. Dogs will also be allowed on the outside of the oval of Robert Harp Drive, the area from the curb line to ten feet inside the curb line, any areas on property owned by the Board of Education being expressly excluded; the area bounded by Civic Center Drive and Robert Harp Drive to the north and (Continued on Page A-5) the Old Force Home and St. Philomena’s Church to the south, the 9-11 Memorial Garden being expressly excluded; and the area north of Robert Harp Drive, between the western border of the library parking lot and the eastern entrance to the former recreation building now occupied by the Department of Public Works. The entire Veterans Memorial area between South Livingston Avenue Civic Center Drive (north and south) and Robert Harp Drive is expressly excluded.
The above areas will be identified with signage and dog waste bags will be installed. Maps of these and future designated “Dog Friendly Spaces” will be prepared and posted on the township website.
Duplicate Tax Sale Certificates
The Council approved the issuance of duplicate tax sale certificates after the originals were lost.
The first, 22-00008, covers block 1506, lot 47. The property is located on Crest View Hill Road between Longacre Drive and Elmwood Drive.
Another certificate, 22-00037, covers block 6100, lot 30.02. The property is located between Peach Tree Hill Road and Eisenhower Parkway, just south of Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy.
A final certificate, 22-00009, covers block 1607, lot 11. The property is located at the corner of Page Place and Terry Terrace.
Portuguese Flag
A resolution was passed to permit the flying of the National Flag of Portugal at the Town Hall flag pole.
Surplus Vehicles
A resolution also was passed to authorize the sale of two surplus vehicles that had been used by the Livingston Police Department but were no longer needed.
Redevelopment Ordinance Pulled
Prior to the regular meeting, an ordinance was pulled that was to adopt a redevelopment plan for block 6002, lots 1 and 1.01 on the township’s tax maps. The area, located on Eisenhower Parkway, is more commonly known as the Livingston Mall.
The Council began its conference meeting by going into closed session to discuss this ordinance and how it affects both the town’s third and fourth round housing obligations. They reached the decision not to introduce it following a 20 minute discussion with a representative of the planning company, Topology.
Topology had prepared the redevelopment plan for the site, which, according to the ordinance that was pulled, is designed to provide a planning and policy framework for redevelopment, under the provisions of the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law. In addition, the plan would permit the Council to engage with property owners and prospective redevelopers of the properties. The plan would also be in compliance with a settlement agreement between the township and Fair Share Housing Center. That agreement permits a number of units to be built on the former site of the Sears building on the property.
The property received a redevelopment designation in late 2024, which allows the use of condemnation powers and long-term tax incentives.
Next Meeting
The Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 24, at Town Hall. The conference meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the regular meeting to follow at 7:30 p.m. Roosevelt Elementary School, now a shopping and office center named Roosevelt Plaza, was built at Northfield Center in 1927, and was later joined by Monmouth Court school to the north, now used as a municipal community center. In September, 1904, four grades met in the primary room of District School No. 2 at Northfield Center, where Roosevelt School was later located.
