Redevelopment Plan to be Discussed Monday Night

The Planning Board will continue to discuss a sweeping redevelopment plan designed to encourage economic growth at a meeting Monday night.

Szabo introduced the plan at a Planning Board meeting earlier this month.

The plan calls for the rezoning of several underdeveloped and underutilized commercial areas in town, including the Wayne Hills Mall and surrounding properties. Szabo and officials want more developments with both commercial and residential buildings on them. They hope to bring younger residents to Wayne, a population group that has decreased significantly since 2000.

“Young professionals, those who are 25 to 34, they are the people who are supporting us and they’re not here," Szabo previously said. "They spend money and they’re not here.” 

Residents and electoral candidates have criticized the plan. They said the plan is politically based and only on the table because it is a mayoral election year.

Mayor Chris Vergano shot back at critics and defended the plan last week.

“I have an obligation as the mayor of this community to do something about the ratable base,” Vergano said. “There are no secrets here. If we don’t do something now then in a few years none of us will be able to afford to live here. For us to sit back and wait for the businesses to come, it’s not going ot happen.”

The meeting will be held in the council chamber in the municipal building beginning at 7:30 p.m. It will be broadcast on cable channel 77 and online.

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