Full Notification

Here is the latest Take Five briefing from the June 14, 2022 meeting of the Mayor and Borough Council.
 
Donaldson Park Playgrounds: Donaldson Park’s playgrounds have officially reopened to the public after damage from Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Middlesex County Office of Parks and Recreation has installed brand new, state of the art playground equipment for everyone to enjoy. Mayor Brill Mittler invites Highland Park residents to join her and Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald Rios on Thursday, June 16^th at 10 a.m. at the main playground by the tennis courts to celebrate the reopening.
 
Veo Scooters: Veo scooters are now available for rent in Highland Park after serving the Rutgers campuses in New Brunswick and Piscataway for nearly two years. Residents interested in renting one should download the app to get started. According to our e-scooter ordinance, riding on sidewalks is prohibited and all riders are encouraged to wear helmets. When downtown, riders should park in designated parking hubs. In neighborhoods, scooters can be parked in the public utility strip (verge), taking care to not obstruct the sidewalk, or  in a legal on-street parking space.
 
Form-Based Residential Design Standards Ordinance: An ordinance was introduced amending Chapter 230 of the Municipal Code which governs land development. It establishes new bulk regulations and form-based design standards for one- and two-family dwellings as well as amends parking regulations for residential uses all zoning districts in order to be consistent with the statewide Residential Site Improvement Standards (RSIS). The form-based standards were put forth as a recommendation in the Borough’s 2019 Land Use Plan Element. A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 2^nd at 7 p.m. prior to the vote on adoption. 
 
Gun Safety Legislation: Mayor and Council passed a resolution in support of Governor Murphy’s seven proposed gun safety bills. While New Jersey is considered a national leader in gun safety measures, there is always opportunity to strengthen gun control and reduce gun violence, especially as our nation and our community have been shaken in the last six weeks by news of three episodes of gun violence with multiple victims NY, TX, and OK.  
 
Downtown Public Gathering Spaces: Mayor and Council passed two resolutions to move forward plans to create additional public gathering spaces in downtown Highland Park. The first resolution authorized a professional services agreement with CME Associates, the Borough’s appointed engineering firm, for services related to the NJDOT Permit Application for Permanent Closure of So. 3^rd Avenue, which is an integral step toward establishing a permanent town plaza in that location. The second resolution authorized Main Street Highland Park to build and maintain parklets in the parking spaces in the municipal right-of-way along So. 3^rd and No. 4^th Avenues.
 
If you’re interested in watching the June 14^th Council meeting, go to HPTV’S Youtube channel where the meeting will be posted in its entirety. The next meeting of Council is scheduled for Tuesday, July 5^th.