Future of Vonage in Southern Holmdel Discussed at Township Meeting

HOLMDEL, NJ -  Southern Holmdel and Vonage will take center stage in the next few months as the subcommittee process moves forward as well as potential redevelopment zones coming within view. The Planning Board and Township Committee will be taking the matter up over the next few months and expect to open the process up to the public soon.

During the regular meeting on Tuesday, a resident requested updates to the process. Karen Strickland, who also serves as Chairwoman of the Environmental Commission had some questions. After sharing her congratulations on the Crawford Hill ribbon cutting, she asked for the status on the Vonage redevelopment after seeing it listed for executive session.

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Strickland asked where things stood with Vonage and what plans are being discussed and what the process is moving forward. "What is the status of this Vonage development? Has the township sent a request for redevelopment to the planning board?" Strickland asked.

"Are the drawings that are being talked about and wherever you are talking about them, the same ones that we are seeing on the website, that are 450 units original building, two five story towers and twelve multi-family units - is that the one you are working on?" asked Strickland.

Mayor Impreveduto stated "That was a conceptual sketch, so the short answer is yes." He went on the describe the company and the work of the ad hoc committee. The committee met twice so far, including a site visit. Impreveduto stated that Strickland should not "get hung up on the particulars" of the proposals as they are just concepts at this time. Questions were also posed about the ad hoc committee.

"The ad hoc committee is a source of concern for me in that its being...I know a colleague of mine asked that if the meetings could be observed as a part of government transparency and we were told no, they are private meetings." stated Strickland. "So if they are private meetings and its being used as a vehicle for interacting with the community and this is how the community is getting their voice it feels a little disingenuous."

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Impreveduto stated that it hadn't occurred to him and stated "I want people to offer their opinions and discuss things freely without feeling that they are being put upon and be worried about offering a controversial or unpopular opinion." He shared that the group is made up of a diverse group of nine residents with an emphasis on the south side of town. The Mayor stated that a written report will be issued which will be a public document for public review.

The attorney, Mike Collins, shared that, as a subcommittee, there was no requirement to meet publicly and the redevelopment process is similar to the one at Crawford Hill. "Candidly, it is a contract negotiation that's going on, so it has to take place behind closed doors," stated Collins.

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