Town Center Options Considered in Hopatcong
Land Use Board seeks input for revitalizing River Styx area.
Hopatcong officials have been discussing the future of the town center along the River Styx corridor, and are currently brainstorming ideas for adding new businesses and sustaining the current properties.
Ever since the New Jersey Highlands Council approved the borough's petition for plan conformance on Sept. 20, the borough was given official center designation.
Because the borough is part of the 859,358 acres that comprise the Highlands Region throughout Sussex, Warren, Morris, Hunterdon, Bergen, Passaic and Somerset counties, it must conform to the state regulations in building out the municipality.
Borough officials can now start to look for ways they would like to revitilize the town center along River Styx road where many businesses have become vacant over the years.
"It [the plan conformance] brings us under different rules and regulations and enables us to be more successful," Councilman Michael Francis said. "They [the Highlands Council and state] are going to help us become successful, they're going to be behind our plan."
Petillo said the Highlands have already provided $140,000 in grants to the borough for planning, and will continue to provide more funding as the process moves along.
Borough officials are in the discussion phase right now for how they want to revitalize the center. These discussions have been happening at Land Use Board meetings twice a month, where Petillo said there have been many ideas shared among architects, engineers, council members and residents.
"It is a center in need of revitalization," Petillo said. "Right now we have people that are interested in buying properties there, we have business owners who have been there for years, and we want to bring everybody together and start to have discussions about what the concept plan for that area should begin to look like."
Francis, who recused himself in the Highlands meetings involving the borough because he sits on the Highlands Council, pointed out the borough is not adding a center, and instead is just revamping it to improve the area.
"We have to look at our existing community; what have we already built, and how and where in our existing community can we make improvements so that it would make the town healthier, the businesses healthier, and better for our residents," Francis said.
Francis said the officials were drawn to the River Styx area because its access to the lake and vacant business space provides it with many opportunities for growth.
"The lake is our jewel," Francis said. "So what do we do to bring people to our town, to make it a destination, to make it worthwhile coming here? The lake is a perfect reason for people to come to our town."
Officials said some of the ideas that have been discussed are to bring in some businesses that are lacking in the area, including a barber shop, a coffee shop, cafes, an ice cream parlor, and a doctor's office.
DPW superintendent and Land Use Board member Ron Jobless pointed out that the new center would benefit the borough in many ways.
"It opens businesses into the community, they become ratables and help the taxes," he said. "You have apartments, you have people living there, you have foot traffic."
Petillo said that 95 percent of the taxes are currently on the responsibility of the homeowner because of the lack of businesses.
"The more businesses you bring in, the better it is for the homeowner because now it's shifting from residential to more commercial," she said.
Petillo said that after the discussions, officials will start to ask business owners along the River Styx corridor about what they think of the new center to get their perspectives as investors.
At the latest Land Use Meeting earlier this month, Petillo said that parking was a key issue discussed. Some possibilities would be to make a municipal parking lot so it could be a walking destination or to build the buildings high and walk underneath them.
Petillo said the Land Use Board is going to look at all options and figure out what is most convenient.
The next Land Use Board meeting that was scheduled for Nov. 6 was cancelled because it is Election Day. The board will next convene on Tuesday, Nov. 20 where they will continue to discuss ideas.
"It's a very lively discussion because people are excited," Petillo said. "It's taken a long time to get to this place. The economic development doesn't happen over night, it can take 10 years. It's a plan for our future."
Longtimeresident
9:15 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I know I'll never go anywhere that gets put up here. I am already looking for a way out after what this town's become. Most of the older adults are cool, but many of the younger ones and teens make me ashamed to have been raised here. Just my take.
Hopatcongpop
9:15 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
What ever happened to the Mad House Project? Opening a place like that would be a start...
Peter James
9:15 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
About time Mayor and council stopped ignoring the real tax issue here. Surely they will depict it as their idea, no coincidence that election day is just around the corner.
S. Coventry
12:52 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
The last meeting (which honored many groups) and yes Michele there was cake, A woman stood up and asked about the Benzene that is still in the River Styx area. The council got annoyed. Yes, Peter James I think it is an election ploy. I looked up Benzene and it migrates it doesn't magically disappear. Now that they control the land use board are they planning to contaminate the water with Benzene migrating into the lake ? What DID happen to the "opening soon " Madhouse? Was it too much money to clean up the area?
Michele Guttenberger
10:53 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Peter I agree with you. What was this press release about. All the vacant spots by River Stycks have been zoned and show on the tax map with commercial property owners. Why could they NOT develop it? Why would a business buy the land and then sit on it undeveloped? I have often asked this question. There is a reason these projects never get off the ground. It means they could not get the banks to finance them. Why not, this is prime Lake Front area. Something is wrong with this picture. The Banks know what's wrong with Hopatcong. The banks most likely did their own assessment on these properties and don't like what they see. If you look at past Town Meeting records you will find out there were Benzene contaminated wells in this area. Perhaps this is one of the reasons businesses are not getting the finance they need to develop. Maybe everyone is waiting for the DEP clean-up. Hey! would that be considered Grant Money (LOL) ?? There is no reason why this area should be depressed unless there are environmental issues that have not been addressed that is keeping out development. I agree this article was a real tap dance they are giving to fool us to think that development of Hopatcong is on it's way because it is election time once again. How many times can you fool the People of Hopatcong. There are just some facts that free cake from the Mayor can't sweeten up. Something smells foul and it's more than the Lake Water.
Chrissy
10:52 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I've had many ideas of how to bring life to the lake area. We should have a boardwalk... shops and restaurants along it. Ever go to Hilton Head, SC? Walk along the dock area... there are shops and restaurants, all kinds of stuff. Their docks are not just for boat owners only, it's for everyone. They have dock parties. The open lot across from ET Deli... is a great place for a casual dining place. They should look at old pictures and see what made Hopatcong an attraction way back when. Ice cream parlors don't survive the cold months. We know from past experience.
Chrissy
10:53 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
That is exactly what I was thinking about. The Madhouse... that was a great idea! Why didn't it go through? A boardwalk could extend from there down to the water and over near Pavinci's. But I we also should be wondering why the Tidalwave went under... and Pavinci's is not too far behind. I saw it up for sale on the Remax website.
The Watcher
11:05 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Every year the mayor and council say they are going to fix up the River Styx area usually right before the election. The council doesn't build, investors build "casual dining places" question is why aren't they building? Why didn't the Madhouse get built? It was already approved and put up signs saying "coming soon" yet the sign went down and we never heard from them again. We heard about he "10 year plan" how many years ago? We beautified the Municipal building with money that could have been put toward cleaning up and developing the Riverstyx area. How many years has it been already? More empty promises that some of the people will buy into just like many people don't know the mayor has an ethics violation. Maybe it's time to put up our own informational site instead of letting the officials "fed" us their version of the their truth.
Hopatcongpop
12:15 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
A boardwalk isa wonderful idea.. I hate the way that area looks. Its about time something gets done... That area has so much potential.
Terry Bond
12:15 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
How about a restaurant like the Metro Cafe in Denville? Cute little place that serves healthy food with vegetarian and vegan options. I'd love to have a place in town like that, so I wouldn't have to drive all the way to Denville to go out to dinner.
JenniferB
12:18 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
or a store that sells non GMO products. Just the staples like pasta, soups, flour, beans etc.
John Pezzino
12:52 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Does every one know that we already have a great ice cream parlor in town, at parmjohns pizzeria?
Does everyone know that if you want a nice cup of coffee and one of the best cannoli and deserts in Sussex County, you can stop in at the Grotto pizzeria?
Does every one know that the Bluegill Dinner is now open and serves up great breakfasts, lunches, fresh delicious salads and treats?
Does everyone know that ET deli makes terrific sub sandwiches?
Does everyone know that Castaways has great steaks and ribs, and delicious comfort foods with very generous portions?
Does everyone know that we just lost a great eatery with the closing of the Lakeside grill? When are we going to learn that opening up more food establishments hurts our existing businesses and sends a message to investors that Hopatcong may be to risky?
In our excitement to build our future lets not ignore what we have today. We need to celebrate and promote the businesses and the owners that invested in Hopatcong because they love us not because they see an opportunity to make a buck.
Please stay away from businesses that can hurt our existing hard working business families.
I’d like to class up the Neighborhood with an art gallery that promotes our lake and the farms and open spaces of our great Sussex County, furniture and gift store that specializes in nautical, lake and country theme items that people will travel to Hopatcong for. Just to name a few.
John Pezzino Hopatcong Council candidate.
Chrissy
7:35 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I don't agree. How many pizza places, convenience stores, dry cleaners, chinese food places can you name in our little town? Is ANY of them hurting for business? If yes, it might be they are not as good as their competitors in one way or another, it also can be lack of advertising.
I had no idea Parma Johns had an ice cream parlor, I'm sure many don't. I'm also pretty sure most of these businesses who have great things to offer the community do not advertise, or make themselves known.
Take Sabretties (SP?) and Struble landscaping, they jumped right in, got involved in the towns various activities and very quickly both names are well known across town.
Businesses also have to put themselves out there. The owners have to lure their customers in. The theory of if you build it they will come does not always apply. In fact it is more like, business is like a wheelbarrow-it stands still until someone pushes it.
We lost Lakeside Grill? Is this the same place that was slammed with fines up the wazoo for moving an interior wall? Their business probably couldn't recover from the financial loss after they payed the fine (if it was ever paid). Nothing survives in that location, not one restaurant survived there. I'm sure it has a lot to do with the sleazy hotel sharing the same lot.
Michele Guttenberger
7:35 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
What our current Mayoral Administration fails to inform the Hopatcong Residents is the loss of Assessed Valuation of our commercial and farm properties by transferring titles from farm & commercial taxable land to non taxed land trust land. This has greatly reduced the potential for future commercial development and commercial tax ratables permanently. For instance MMK Reinsurance Ltd (Bermuda) aka Hudson Farms Sports Club has a commercial shooting license and conducts shooting club activities with paid membership fees. This is done on noncommercial tax exempt land trust property. Hopatcong lost both a commercial tax ratable on over 600 acres of land they also lost the potential of bringing revenues from a commercial sports club business and industry. This could have been commercial hunting and shooting property that's an ideal income business for our town to have and generate commercial revenue. According to municipal bond records the assessed valuation of non residential properties - Farm & Commercial land saw a net assessed devaluation (loss) of 28.6 Million dollars from 2007. A large portion of this loss was from farm and commercial land that has been transferred to tax exempt land trusts. In my opinion this was like selling the farm or giving away the store. I do see some irony in this article of not mentioning a Sports Club business that is flourishing in Hopatcong but is not generating revenue to Hopatcong to help build a town center.
Chrissy
10:53 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Wow, that is a great deal of information that was not shared with the residents. Shouldn't this type of decision be voted on by the people? Why would they just make a taxible/commercial land and business nontaxable? How would the administration view this as a benefit to Hopatcong?
Rockon
9:34 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Isn't the tax issue regulated by the state ?
Cathy Bowen
7:35 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
John I'm surprised that you didn't mention Get Potted. Besides being a florist they are also a gift store. Since you are running for Council I would have thought you knew that. Also you only list a few establishments. Why is that. If your going to plug businesses you should also let people know that 3 in 1 also makes great sandwiches and that Kevin who owns Franks always donates to the different non profit organizations as well as the new Joeys, and Ridgewood and Pavincis. The list goes on. Maybe you should do a little more homework. While we are on the subject, can you please tell me what you have done in Hopatcong? Have you volunteered here? Have you given your time to any of the great organizations that make up Hopatcong? Cause frankly I have never heard of you before so please enlighten us.
The Watcher
12:18 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Cathy, I guess you haven't been following Patch. John has been asked for his platform before, he apparently doesn't have one. He does however like to post under several names and bash people. Have to agree with you Kevin has been in the community for a long time and gives generously. Pavinci's has fund raisers for many causes, get potted has also been in the community for many years, 3 in 1 deli has also been a staple in the community. You are right there are many others, but it seems John only keeps up with the eateries.
JenniferB
12:18 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Good point, Get Potted has tons of country themed items. Cathy is also right about Kevin giving back to the community.
Rich Smith
7:35 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
A boardwalk would be great but where to put it? The lake shore is just about covered with private homes so, aside from accessibility and facilities, the boardwalk faces the availability problem. How about the area around Pavinci’s? From the bridge a board walk could go right along the area of the marina and past Pavinci’s. Not sure how much further it could go before it ran into a private property. Pavincei’s would benefit and perhaps, because of that, would be willing to foot some of the bill. Some kiddie rides would be nice and would not hurt the area businesses, only enhance them.
As for a doctor’s office: Today you are going to be hard pressed to get a new doctor to open a one doctor operation like Cobb had on River Styx. It would have to be a group and the next question would be, “Do we have enough people in the area to support such an operation?”
Whatever, it is going to take allot of “Out with the old and in with the new” for this to come about. Hopatcong is a great little town and I am happy that the Mayor and Council are trying to move it forward.
Chrissy
10:53 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Yeah, I was thinking across the road from Pavinci's. There is an open lot and some open space from the left and right. It wouldn't be huge, but it could be nice. Also, the space where the Tidalwave was, that's open. There also used to be a club house behind the Arrowcrest, there are old tennis courts back there... that area has just wasted away. It could be an amusement area or a true civic center with planned activities. This town could really use a place for the kids to go instead of just hanging around in town.
S. Coventry
11:10 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Chrissy across the road from Pavinci's is where the Benzene is and needs to be cleaned up so it doesn't go into the lake. It would have to be cleaned up and OKed by the DEP. As for the Arrowcrest he told me the mayor and council turned down his trying to upgrade his property resulting in more taxes for the borough.
Chrissy
10:37 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Benzene? How and when did that happen? Do we need to call Erin Brockovich?
http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/benzene.html
Hopatcongpop
7:35 pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
One of the best ways to keep businesses in town is to attract more in the way of office businesses. Like Lawyers, etc. The business next to the old Parkside is doing real well. Plus the Old Parkside is about to become a Bagel/ resturant. I am sure it will do well.
DD6479
11:34 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I've been saying this for awhile....A Boardwalk would be great to bring in some toruism (and revenue) into the town. The only real spot your average Joe can enjoy the lake is at the State Park and I think we all know how hard it is for a local to get into the park with all the own-of-towners who come in.
If you look back on the history of the lake and surrounding towns this place was a thriving tourist atttraction...now pretty much most pieces of land have private homes on them with grumpy people who tell you to go away. I am an avid angler and without a boat I am really limited on the available places to fish. We need to bring tourism back to the business's surrounding the lake as well as on the lake itself.
george
3:22 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
chrissy,
arrowcrest property...they had a potenial buyer come in. he was going to level all buildings and make condo`s for everybody or for seniors ciizens. hook up the water line and sewer line from across the bridge out of his own pocket. the town gave him a hard time. the building across from the deli/tidal wave. they wanted to pave the parking lot , the town gave them hard time again. so they where forced to put stone down...the property across from et deli. rumor has that the town wanted x amount of money put into escrow. the potenial owner said c-ya......truking company wanted to come in to town. not sure where. he was going put in sidewalks and i think lights...the town was worry about traffic and the noise of the trucks(at nite).....sorry if misspelled any words lost my glasses...
Tammy
11:05 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
The main issue is you don't have to come through Hopatcong to get anywhere. Unless you have a really spectacular attraction whatever is there is going to have to be able to survive on people who live in town for the most part.
Even the days of people coming to Hopatcong for the bar scene are over because Hopatcong has a reputation that you WILL get nabbed for a DUI. (A good thing in my opinion)
Michele Guttenberger
2:19 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
Tammy - Hopatcong does have an attraction it has an well known elite sports club for the Rich & Famous. But the affluent members of this club do not venture nor mingle with the common folks of Hopatcong over a beer at a local tavern. In fact some even helicopter out of town from their non taxed heliport on Hopatcong landholdings. When these clubs have more reasonable memberships then the average sports person can afford we would see people spilling into Hopatcong to our restaurants and taverns. But until then the affluent visitors of Hopatcong will shoot or be wined and dined attending their favored charity fund Galas held again on a Tax exempt newly renovated mansion in the Borough of Hopatcong. And their elaborate charity events do not include drives for a local Hopatcong resident in need nor programs for Hopatcong Public Schools. None of this wealth ever spills out to the community of Hopatcong were it would have a trickle down effect to other local businesses. It does in Sparta where wealthy people invest in the community of Sparta and do more than give a hike but spend money on the businesses in Town. The wealthy guests Hopatcong attracts manage to buzz in and buzz out without dropping a dime outside of their private tax exempt club. How can we change that? What can our Mayor and Council do to make them hang out in Hopatcong? After all most of our officials favored their commercial shooting license for their Club & private heliport.
S. Coventry
12:26 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012
Michele, I saw the advertisement for the fundraiser (think it was $500) on Patch that had our lawyer (?) pictured with a gun. Someone told me our lawyer is also the lawyer for Mr. Kellogg. Reading your blogs Michele, it seems our council and our lawyer are very involved with Mr. Kellogg and Hudson Farm. How can they vote etc if they have attachments? This might appear to be another ethics violation. Has anyone looked into this? Why should the Hudson Farm people come to Hopatcong when Hopatcong's governing body seems to be at Hudson Farms' exclusive "fund raisers"?
Michele Guttenberger
12:15 pm on Saturday, November 10, 2012
S. Coventry - You're wrong that was no Advertisement that was a blog with a NO COMMENTS allowed feature from Project Self-Sufficiency. Recently they were given special honors by our Mayor although it was hinted that this org has NOT done too much for the residents in Hopatcong lately (center is in Newton). Regardless, they were honored by Hopatcong for their PAST History. "We have a long history with Hopatcong," Berry-Toon said, "and we look forward to continuing that history and to perhaps GET BACK INTO the community."
http://hopatcong-sparta.patch.com/articles/borough-pays-tribute-to-local-organizations
While the Non-profit orgs in Hopatcong must take a hike for their matching donations at Hudson Farms - Project Self-Sufficiency gets the luxury package deal in Charity fund raising at a tax exempt Hopatcong Hudson Farms Mansion and private??? Hunting Preserve “ "..100 sporting clay shoot on the 3,800 acre hunting preserve, followed by an elegant dinner provided by four of the area’s most renowned chefs." "Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency... "we are particularly grateful to the membership of the Hudson Farm Club for their support of this endeavor year after year." "Participation in the full day event is $500 per person, or $2,000 for a foursome and a station sign tickets for the dinner only are $250 per person.”
http://hopatcong-sparta.patch.com/blog_posts/hudson-farm-club-hosts-sporting-clay-shoot-to-benefit-project-self-sufficiency
Frazure
10:22 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
The Arrowcrest "Motel", the decrepit Arrowcrest Annex, dumpy 4-apartment bldg on the hill behind the Annex along with the old Hob Knob garbage pit all provide short term temporary housing to the transient, unemployed welfare drug dealers/users and other common criminals that give our town a poor reputation. I would like to see 100% enforcement of all laws, local regulations and ordinances brought to bear on the owners and residents of these dumps. Fine them, sue them, haul their butts into court, prosecute them until they are in full compliance with the law or it becomes financially impossible to live in or operate these dumps. That would certainly be step number one in "beautifying" the River Styx area as well as the garbage pit visible from the mayor's back yard. These transients put much pressure on our tax supported services such as our school system, police and court system, county/state welfare but contribute little or nothing to tax revenues. Once that is cleaned up, enforcement is needed to clean up the many crumbling absentee landlord/rental properties in the Hills.
The Watcher
2:23 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
As was mentioned before the Arrowcrest DID attempt to upgrade and would have been paying a lot more taxes but the "powers" that be turned him down.
BeachBum
5:33 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
I'd love to know why this area where there is zero business is lit up like a city at night, (lakeside Blvd/River Styx) there is numerous over head lighting that is not needed, very wasteful
The Watcher
9:17 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
The lights are probably the least wasteful when compared to some of the other "projects"
Michele Guttenberger
9:17 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013
BeachBum - Perhaps the lights are there for security. Maybe they don't want someone stripping down the River Sytx bridge for scrap metal like they have been doing with abandon homes with copper pipes. :-) Just a thought.
BeachBum
12:12 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Town council has been really quiet since October on this project, haven't seen any activity in the lower River Styx area except more for sale signs going up and business running out of town - Is that disgusting daycare still in business?
Michele Guttenberger
11:28 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
BeachBum our Council gave the wrong location for the Town Center's economic development. It is at the Hudson Farm properties the same place where the Morris County Economic Development Corp’s has their annual autumn outing at 270 Stanhope-Sparta Road. Look at the great facility they erected recently -
The Hudson Farm Club converted the dormitory of the former Hudson Farm Guild into a state-of-the-art 2,500 sq. ft retail spot. The building is now headquarters for the Griffin & Howe Shooting School. It is also the facility for the nonprofit educational Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) where local grade-through high-school youngsters learn shooting sports. Maybe we should talk to Hopatcong's attorney who has a great relationship with these folks. Maybe he could persuade them to open a few pro shops at the River Styx location. Did you know that some of these rifles sold were over $60K. The wealthy are definitely shopping in Hopatcong too bad it is not at our Town Center. I guess all is quiet with our council members because most of them don't know about this new retail location. We should have be asking are attorney about the economic progress of Hopatcong. He is really up the prestige type businesses embedded in Hopatcong.
beckyrunninghorse
8:49 am on Wednesday, May 15, 2013
that the problem the town is so full of themselves and make it so hard for anyone to make it that they have run the place into the ground, if they were so smart and so good at what they do why is the town broke?