Rutherford needs your help. Please let your voice be heard and sign the petition.

We, the undersigned, as citizens of the beautiful borough of Rutherford are gravely concerned with the current level and type of development in town. While smart, responsible, aesthetically appropriate development is greatly needed, the current plans, on a cumulative basis, risk changing the small-town nature of Rutherford. We are concerned that prudent assessment of the impact of the plans, either individually or as a whole, has not been developed to determine the potential deterioration of our quality of life. Many citizens have made their concerns known to the Mayor and Council,but to date those concerns have been largely ignored.  (Update:  As evidenced by the defeat of the Agnew Amendment, the Mayor and Council are making efforts to address some of the citizen’s concerns regarding redevelopment.). This petition implores the Mayor and Council to listen to the people of the town, as they have been elected to represent our best interests. 

Specifically, we are requesting: 

• Require developer paid, independent (town contracted) impact studies prior to any approvals for high density development (eg. Schools, Fire, Police, Traffic, Infrastructure, Commuting)

• Complete an assessment of the cumulative impact of high-density projects prior to new approvals

• PILOT programs must be used sparingly, be limited to less than 10 years and must include developer contributions to permanent improvements

• Regardless of redevelopment or rehabilitation designations, height restrictions must be maintained at 4 stories

• Reduce the Agnew project size, ideally to 4 stories but no more than 5 (Update: The Agnew project has so far been restricted to 6 stories – two less than when this campaign began – but still more than the 4-5 stories outlined in Rutherford’s Master Plan.)

• Require high density developers to provide adequate parking and renters/residents to utilize such parking

• Increase communication to residents to inform of all ongoing high density project developments, from inception (Update:  The Mayor and Council have made significant strides with respect to this issue.)

• Eliminate the demolition of any municipal tax-generating structure before a development plan is approved