“It is an area that needed redevelopment and it had to meet the municipal acts, which it did.”
Following a lengthy public comment involving community members, the Burlington Township Council adopted a five-year tax abatement with DCT Industrial on second reading at the Sept. 26 meeting.
The company’s industrial site plan was approved by the Burlington Township Planning Board on July 13, and was approved on first reading by Council back on Sept. 12.
“The abatement allows DCT to pay zero to start,” Burlington Township Administrator Walter Corter said. “Following the first year, DCT will then pay 20 percent each year after for the next five years until the amount is paid in full.”
DCT was approved in July for a major site plan to construct two warehouses totaling around 1 million square feet.
Many townspeople voiced their disapproval for the abatement, and for the building of the warehouse.
“I am extremely disappointed that this was done,” John Tiene said. “Council did not take in consideration what the community thought and it’s just sad.”
Council originally approved the site plan for development and will now use the abatement money to provide additional buffering around the site.
“It is an area that needed redevelopment and it had to meet the municipal acts, which it did,” Mayor Brian Carlin said. “No developers approached Council regarding this area before McCollister’s did.”
After listening to several members of the township speak their opinions on the abatement and project, Council considered pushing the vote back to the Oct. 10 meeting, but felt the public had enough of their questions answered to go ahead with the vote, which passed unanimously.
“We vote these people in to do what’s best for the community,” Patricia Baird said. “It’s like this was done in secret and we weren’t notified until it goes up for a vote.”
DCT was also approved for a minor subdivision application for the site as well, which will also be in the same area — on Route 130 and Neck Road, which is near several homes. Lot 1.04 and 1.05 for DCT were included in the tax abatement.
In other news:
• An ordinance was adopted on second reading regarding Matrix Development Group. Matrix approached Council back in May in regard to redeveloping the old pipe foundry that straddles Burlington City and Burlington Township.
“Matrix is taking remedial steps to correct the site, and transform it into a ‘green’ warehouse, which will open up over 900 jobs,” Corter said.
• An ordinance was passed on first reading in regard to the construction of Corporate Headquarters and related improvements to be located in the McCollister’s redevelopment area. A public hearing on this matter will take place on Oct.10 at 7 p.m. at the Burlington Township municipal building.
• Council passed a resolution regarding the approval of an application submitted by Matrix for a long-term tax exemption in connection with the redevelopment plan adopted for Matrix redevelopment area.
The next council meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Burlington Township municipal building
