Published in the Asbury Park Press
WHAT: The Dover Township Council plans to vote on a resolution today that would declare the former Ciba-Geigy Corp. property an area in need of redevelopment. The council will meet at 6 p.m. today in town hall, 33 Washington St. The Ciba property is located off Route 37 West and Oak Ridge Parkway.
WHY: The council's action would follow the recommendation of the Planning Board, whose members voted earlier this month to support Township Planner John J. Lynch's contention that the 1,350-acre Ciba site is an area in need of redevelopment. By declaring the site a redevelopment zone, the council is attempting to gain more control over future development of the site.
THE SITE: The property, now owned by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp., is the last major undeveloped parcel of land in Dover. Township officials believe its future development is crucial, and want to control what is built there. The entire property is a Superfund site, but only about 200 to 300 acres were ever used in Ciba's industrial dye- and resin-making operations.
WHAT DOES CIBA SAY?: Ciba Specialty Chemicals officials, who last year unveiled an ambitious preliminary development plan for the property, say there is no need for the township to declare the site an area in need of redevelopment. Ciba's plan includes senior citizen housing, a golf course, commercial development along Route 37, and a conservation area next to the Toms River. Ciba officials say the site does not meet state criteria for redevelopment zones and that they will challenge the township's actions in court.
Published in the Asbury Park Press 03/28/06
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