Here is the latest Take Five briefing from the June 24, 2025, meeting of the Mayor and Borough Council.
1) Gas Powered Leaf Blowers Meeting this Thursday, 6/26: Councilmember Hersh reminded residents that the Gas Leaf Blower Task Force, a collaboration of the members of the Environmental Commission, Board of Health, and Sustainable Highland Park, is convening its third community conversation about minimizing the use of gas leaf blowers on Thursday, June 26 at 7 PM. The meeting will be held in the Highland Park Public Library; however, if you want to attend, but can’t make it in person, there is a Zoom option. There are also two surveys, one for residents and another for landscapers, which will help the task force gauge public opinion on the matter.
2) Getting “Film Ready”: The Borough Council introduced an ordinance to amend its municipal code to create a permitting process for commercial filming on public and private property. Through these regulations, Highland Park aims to protect public safety and quality of life while positioning itself for certification as a “Film Ready” community, which will attract productions that can boost the local economy and promote the Borough. The public hearing and vote on the ordinance is scheduled for the August 12, 2025 Council Meeting.
3) Street Tree Inventory and Community Forestry Management Plan Update: Highland Park recently was awarded a NJDEP Green Communities grant to take stock of all of its street trees and create a Tree Inventory, which will then be used to inform the update to its Community Forestry Management Plan, which guides our street tree plantings and maintenance. Borough Council passed a resolution to authorize a contract with RichView Consulting, the Borough’s licensed tree experts, to help with the Inventory and Plan, which should be finalized before the end of the year!
4) Council Endorses Affordable Housing Plan: The Highland Park Borough Council has formally endorsed its Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan (HEFSP), as required under New Jersey’s recently amended Fair Housing Act. The plan outlines how the Borough will meet its affordable housing obligations between 2025 and 2035. Specifically, the plan calls for 209 “Present Need” units and 45 units of “Prospective need”. The resolution also approves a short-term Updated Spending Plan to support affordability programs as well.
5) Conditional Developer Designation for 308 Raritan Avenue: The Borough Council designated United Estate Family Holding LLC, the owner of 308 Raritan Avenue, as the conditional redeveloper for the property (Block 3001, Lot 3) and authorized an interim cost and conditional designation agreement. The proposed project includes 18 residential units of which three would be affordable, along with approximately 1,250 square feet of commercial space, and 21 parking spaces. As part of the agreement, the conditional developer must defray the Borough’s costs and expenses related to these pre-development activities.
If you’re interested in watching the June 24th 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 1st at 7 p.m.
