Full Notification

Here is the latest Take Five briefing from the November 21, 2023 meeting of the Mayor and Borough Council.

1) Generous Bequest from the Estate of Leonard Kushner: Mayor Foster shared the good news that the Highland Park Volunteer Fire Department, HP Gives a Hoot, the Highland Park Community Food Pantry, PBA Local 64, and the Highland Park Public Library are among several organizations in Highland Park that have received generous donations from the estate of Mr. Leonard Kushner, a lifetime Highland Park resident and former Highland Park Police Officer. Funding will be used for initiatives like purchasing a new fire engine and police vehicles, enhancing public meeting spaces in the library, and addressing food insecurity in the Borough. An announcement that details all of the Kushner estate recipients and their projects is in the works.

2) HP River Greenway Community Meeting: Residents are invited to a community meeting on Wednesday, December 13^th at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center (220 South 6^th Avenue) to learn more about the proposed Highland Park River Greenway. The current vision is a fully ADA-accessible, multi-use greenway that would link Donaldson and Johnson Parks and connect residents and visitors to the Raritan River. The Borough received a grant from the NJ Department of Community Affairs in 2021 to conduct a feasibility study and develop a conceptual design for the greenway.

3) 2024 Allowable Rent Increase: The allowable rent increase for 2024 of 3.8% was certified by the Rent Control Board at their October 25^th meeting. Rent control regulations are outlined in the Borough code and apply to all rental dwellings in the Borough. For more information for renters and landlords, please visit the Borough’s website.

4) Postponed Public Hearings – Zoning Ordinances: The public hearings for two zoning ordinance amendments introduced on October 24^th were postponed to Tuesday, December 5^th at 7:00 p.m. The first ordinance allows new single- and two-family dwellings, where permitted, to be constructed on non-conforming lots (with respect to lot area, lot width or lot depth) without the need to apply for a variance, provided all other zoning standards are met. The second ordinance removes the 33% gross floor area restriction for residential uses within a building in the CBD Central Business District Zone.

5) Support for Legislation to Establish Minimum Nurse Staffing Levels: Borough Council passed a resolution in support of Senate Bill S304 and identical Assembly Bill A4536 that would establish mandatory nurse staffing levels in every hospital. Adequate nurse staffing has a direct correlation to improved quality of care and mortality rates.

If you’re interested in watching the November 21^st Mayor and Council meeting, go to the HPTV Youtube channel where the video of the meeting will be posted in its entirety. The next meeting of Mayor and Council is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5^th at 7:00 p.m.