Rick Short (R)
1.) This past summer, Cherry Hill Township entered into an agreement with Cherry Hill Land Associates to preserve Woodcrest Country Club that includes new, market-rate residential developments with affordable units at sites such as the Hampton Road and Park Boulevard redevelopment areas and the current Subaru headquarters and a second agreement with Fair Share Housing Center for a development at Short Hills Farm. What is your stance on the agreements and do you feel housing is the best use for each of these sites?
There is no doubt in my mind the future development of Cherry Hill is a very important issue for the residents of Cherry Hill and that’s who should be helping to make that decision. The way the township came up with its latest low income housing plan was a total summer surprise. Everyone got to see it for the first time in the newspaper, and by the way, it’s costing Cherry Hill taxpayers $3 million. There were no public Town Hall Meetings. It was just a plan crafted by the current administration without any input from residents.
So, yes, something does need to be done with these tracts. I am not so sure putting new residential units of any kind on former commercial tracts is the solution. I trust the residents to come up with better and more creative solutions.
Nancy O’Dowd (R)
1.) This past summer, Cherry Hill Township entered into an agreement with Cherry Hill Land Associates to preserve Woodcrest Country Club that includes new, market-rate residential developments with affordable units at sites such as the Hampton Road and Park Boulevard redevelopment areas and the current Subaru headquarters and a second agreement with Fair Share Housing Center for a development at Short Hills Farm. What is your stance on the agreements and do you feel housing is the best use for each of these sites?
I am very concerned about this decision as it was made without any input from the community, and apparently without any impact study on how it would affect schools, finances and taxes, traffic, crime, cost for increased fire and police staffing, etc.
We have already witnessed the “Master Plan”, that was conceived of with input from the Cherry Hill community, be completely ignored with a jungle of big box stores and high density housing replacing the “downtown Cherry Hill” with recreational areas and a new school that the voters agreed to, so I am a bit cynical about any promises made for this new development. We need to study everything mentioned above, and get input from the neighborhoods and businesses in close proximity to these sites before we decide on the best use for them.
2.) Two other “gateway” properties in Cherry Hill along Routes 38 and Cuthbert Boulevard are also in the process of being declared areas in need of redevelopment. What do you feel is the best use for these properties?
Again, no decisions should be made without impact studies. I certainly would want to retain the historic character of our community, so no more high-density housing and mega shopping centers are needed. Maybe an entertainment venue like the old Latin Casino would be more palatable to residents.
Sara Lipsett (D)
1.) This past summer, Cherry Hill Township entered into an agreement with Cherry Hill Land Associates to preserve Woodcrest Country Club that includes new, market-rate residential developments with affordable units at sites such as the Hampton Road and Park Boulevard redevelopment areas and the current Subaru headquarters and a second agreement with Fair Share Housing Center for a development at Short Hills Farm. What is your stance on the agreements and do you feel housing is the best use for each of these sites?
As a councilperson and a resident, I think it’s important to take a strong stance on issues that matter most to our residents. The preservation of open space throughout Cherry Hill is a top priority of most of us in this town. That is why I think we need to carefully evaluate the township and ensure that we take appropriate governmental action to see that our last remaining parcels of open space do not get developed for housing or commercial use. At the same time, that same evaluation can help us identify areas within Cherry Hill that are already developed but “blighted”, or put another way — vacant or under performing and in dire need of redevelopment.
The agreements with Cherry Hill Land Associates and Fair Share Housing Center were made with these two exact goals — preservation of open space and redevelopment of blighted spaces — at the forefront of negotiations. For years, Council has been extremely vocal about the need to preserve our open space. Together with Mayor Cahn, we made it clear that we did not want to see Woodcrest Country Club — or any of our open spaces — developed for housing or commercial use. That is why we fought so long and hard on both of these cases. Although we do not want to see any areas in town “overdeveloped,” we do want to see each area that we have contributing to the betterment of Cherry Hill. And that includes keeping our open space truly open, green and vibrant, controlling where development occurs, controlling traffic within the township, and making sure any new development, albeit residential, retail, or commercial, does not adversely impact our neighborhoods.
As leaders of this town, we must make sure that we, not developers, control where development in Cherry Hill occurs. We are the ones that live in this town, drive on our roads, and use our parks and open space. I am proud of how hard the Mayor and all of us worked to ensure that we achieved the best result possible for the residents of Cherry Hill, and that includes protection of our open spaces like Woodcrest and Merchantville Country Clubs, Springdale Farms, and other open space throughout Cherry Hill, while simultaneously promoting redevelopment of blighted, run-down properties.
2.) Two other “gateway” properties in Cherry Hill along Routes 38 and Cuthbert Boulevard are also in the process of being declared areas in need of redevelopment. What do you feel is the best use for these properties?
We are fortunate to be a sought-after destination for many young professionals that are looking to live in the suburbs, but yet be close to Philadelphia, shopping, and major highways. Similarly, Cherry Hill’s vibrant shopping districts attract visitors from far and near. The gateways to Cherry Hill along Routes 38 and 70 currently sit vastly underutilized and house old motels and vacant buildings. There is so much opportunity there for higher and better uses of those properties. Whether it’s a high-end hotel or class-A retail, it would be great to see these properties redesigned into something productive and beautiful that warmly welcome people to our great town. I look forward to working with our professional planners and engineers to see what truly is the best use for these two other “gateway” properties. I am confident that these areas can be transformed to represent exactly what our town is — a great place to live, work, and play!
Melinda Kane (D)
1.) This past summer, Cherry Hill Township entered into an agreement with Cherry Hill Land Associates to preserve Woodcrest Country Club that includes new, market-rate residential developments with affordable units at sites such as the Hampton Road and Park Boulevard redevelopment areas and the current Subaru headquarters and a second agreement with Fair Share Housing Center for a development at Short Hills Farm. What is your stance on the agreements and do you feel housing is the best use for each of these sites?
In a community such as Cherry Hill, which is already largely developed, the challenge that we face as leaders is continuing to promote new growth without sacrificing our open space. Together with Mayor Cahn and my colleagues on Council, that is a challenge we have taken head-on over the last several years.
The settlement agreements, along with a host of other initiatives we have undertaken these last few years, have secured important protections for open space throughout Cherry Hill and advanced the much-needed revitalization of several properties that have sat vacant or underutilized for years.
We have preserved, invested in and enhanced green space throughout Cherry Hill, while at the same time, directing new growth — be it residential or commercial — to already-developed properties that aren’t living up to their full potential. In the case of the Hampton Road and Park Boulevard redevelopment sites, it means breathing new life into vacant warehouses that have been empty for years and finding a higher, better use that is much more beneficial to our town.
As leaders in this community, we need to work together to make Cherry Hill the best it can be. Ultimately, these agreements ensure that the Township and our zoning laws — not the court, or developers — control where future development takes place in Cherry Hill. It’s important not just for Woodcrest Country Club, but at places like Croft Farm, Barclay Farmstead and Springdale Farms. Open land is a scarce resource, and I am proud to say that we have been able to ensure that these remaining parcels stay a part of our landscape forever.
2.) Two other “gateway” properties in Cherry Hill along Routes 38 and Cuthbert Boulevard are also in the process of being declared areas in need of redevelopment. What do you feel is the best use for these properties?
These properties, as they stand today, are not representative of Cherry Hill. And while the true “highest and best use” for these sites will be determined by the township’s planning professionals, I believe there is endless potential for us to create something that is both beautiful and productive; something that we can be proud of — that truly says “Welcome to Cherry Hill” to the tens of thousands of residents and visitors who come to our town every day.
These gateway sites sit in an ideal location for any number of uses, from high-end residential, to retail or commercial, or some combination of mixed use. Their proximity to major roadways, restaurants, retail and Philadelphia make this a highly desirable location for young professionals, those looking to down size, and those looking to shop and dine in Cherry Hill. It’s time that we capitalize on that desirability and transform these vacant warehouses and crime-ridden, dilapidated motels into something that better reflects the character of Cherry Hill.
Routes 70 and 38 are the front door to our community. We can, and we must, do something better with that land. And I look forward to working together with the township administration and our planners and engineers to determine their future.
Stephen Cohen (R)
1.) This past summer, Cherry Hill Township entered into an agreement with Cherry Hill Land Associates to preserve Woodcrest Country Club that includes new, market-rate residential developments with affordable units at sites such as the Hampton Road and Park Boulevard redevelopment areas and the current Subaru headquarters and a second agreement with Fair Share Housing Center for a development at Short Hills Farm. What is your stance on the agreements and do you feel housing is the best use for each of these sites?
The agreement entered into by Cherry Hill Township and both Cherry Hill Land Associates and Fair Share Housing Center is subject to the courts approval. The normal approval process will be short-circuited and the voices of our
citizens will be unheard. In addition to the almost $4 million paid to Cherry Hill Land Associates the right to develop was given without public input or the normal bidding process. The public should be given the chance to comment on agreements of such a substantial nature before they are entered into by our elected representatives. I believe these agreements are not in the best interest of our community. “Affordable housing” is itself an interesting turn of phrase. I’m always fascinated by the use of words that sound good but hide their true meaning. I live in a home in Cherry Hill that is affordable to me. The Mayor lives in a home he can afford but I may not. His home is still an affordable home. So instead of using the euphemism “affordable housing” let’s call it what it is, “low cost” or “reduced cost” housing and let’s have a fair, honest and open debate on its effect on the community and the township. I truly believe that we should never discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin or sexual orientation. With those parameters in mind let us have a full hearing on the future of our town and the effects if any of the addition of “Affordable Housing.”
2.) Two other “gateway” properties in Cherry Hill along Routes 38 and Cuthbert Boulevard are also in the process of being declared areas in need of redevelopment. What do you feel is the best use for these properties?
We have a master plan. If the redevelopment fits the master plan and goes through the normal process of hearings, I am for redevelopment. However if the process is short-circuited or the developer is chosen behind closed doors without the best interests of the citizens of Cherry Hill held first and foremost, then the process is faulty and the redevelopment is not in our best interest. The people of the township have the right to know how the township is developed and let the consensus be our guide. I would also not look favorably on tax breaks for the developers or owner of the redeveloped areas. Tax breaks given to some entities put additional tax burdens on others of our citizens.
Brian Bauerle (D)
1.) This past summer, Cherry Hill Township entered into an agreement with Cherry Hill Land Associates to preserve Woodcrest Country Club that includes new, market-rate residential developments with affordable units at sites such as the Hampton Road and Park Boulevard redevelopment areas and the current Subaru headquarters and a second agreement with Fair Share Housing Center for a development at Short Hills Farm. What is your stance on the agreements and do you feel housing is the best use for each of these sites?
Cherry Hill has a long history of strong, vibrant and proud neighborhoods that remain the backbone of our community. As a resident, councilperson, and father of three young children, I find it critical that we take appropriate measures to maintain our neighborhoods by preserving our remaining open space. Preserving the Woodcrest Country Club, and its 150 plus acres of green space, ensured that one of the largest remaining parcels of open space in the township will stay green and open for generations to come and will not become subject to development demands. Also, as a soccer coach in Cherry Hill, I have seen firsthand how important it is to not only maintain our existing playing fields, but to also provide enhanced opportunities and support for all of our great youth athletic programs in town to succeed. The actions we have taken on Council accomplish just that. By protecting and expanding our open space, maintaining our neighborhood parks, building and upgrading existing playing fields including new upgrades for athletic fields at Croft Farm, creating additional recreational opportunities, the reconstruction of the Cherry Hill West tennis courts, a new pedestrian connector for our Kenilworth residents that provides direct access to retail on Route 70, and preserving our nature trails, we have strengthened our neighborhoods. All of this will ensure that we uphold and improve the quality of life for our residents, both today and in the future.
In addition, it is also our responsibility as elected officials to make sure that we are proactive in reviewing all areas of the township so that we are not only protecting our open space, but also taking appropriate steps to improve areas of the township that may be under performing and not providing the best value that our residents expect and deserve. There are existing developed but underutilized sites in Cherry Hill that are not currently functioning at their highest and best use. In some cases, these sites are truly areas in need of revitalization and are prime locations for redevelopment and new investment. It is our responsibility to complement the preservation of open space in the township, by reinvesting in these currently developed sites that have outlived their useful life. Sites that are no longer providing value for the township or in some cases have become a detriment. These underperforming sites present a significant opportunity to reuse and revitalize developed land — providing the opportunity to reinvest in our community by reinventing these failing sites into successful new developments.
Cherry Hill remains a desirable place to live, raise a family, work, shop and visit. It is appropriate that we revitalize our existing vacant or underutilized commercial sites and not our open space. Development of these sites into new, vibrant and exciting uses will continue to strengthen and support Cherry Hill’s thriving residential and commercial community. These two settlement agreements accomplish exactly that, preserving open space and encouraging redevelopment of already existing but under performing sites.
2.) Two other “gateway” properties in Cherry Hill along Routes 38 and Cuthbert Boulevard are also in the process of being declared areas in need of redevelopment. What do you feel is the best use for these properties?
The two other “gateway” properties along Route 38 and Cuthbert Boulevard are ripe for transformation. They are conveniently located to major highways, shopping, and Philadelphia. They are the entrance to our town for anyone travelling eastbound into Cherry Hill. The redevelopment study and any subsequent plan will ultimately dictate what uses are most appropriate there, but as a Councilperson, I am and will continue to be excited about beautifying and transforming these properties into something useful and productive for Cherry Hill.
