44-22 Resolution Designating Studio Redeveloper.pdf

#12941392.1 168182/008 44-22 March 1, 2022 RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND INTERIM REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND DESIGNATING THE MBS GROUP AS CONDITIONAL-REDEVELOPER FOR FILM SERVICES OVERLAY DISTRICT (FSOD) OF THE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PLAN. WHEREAS, the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1, et seq., as amended and supplemented (“Redevelopment Law”), provides a process for municipalities to participate in the redevelopment and improvement of areas in need of redevelopment; and WHEREAS, the Township, acting by resolution, determined that a portion of the downtown was an “area in need of redevelopment” (the “Downtown Redevelopment Area”) in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-6(b); and WHEREAS, on February 9, 2003 the Township Council approved an Ordinance adopting a redevelopment plan for the Downtown Redevelopment Area (the “Original Redevelopment Plan”); and WHEREAS, the Original Redevelopment Plan has been amended by “Amendments to Downtown Redevelopment Plan,” the “First Amendment,” adopted August 15, 2006, the “Second Amendment,” adopted March 6, 2007, and the “Third Amendment,” adopted in 2010; and WHEREAS, while some redevelopment has occurred, a large portion of the Downtown Redevelopment Area has remained stagnant and undeveloped for many years; and WHEREAS, the Township is pursuing other more viable and feasible development alternatives for the Downtown Redevelopment Area; and WHEREAS, on September 14, 2021, by Ordinance No. 2656-21, the Township adopted a fourth redevelopment plan, entitled Fourth Amendment to Downtown Redevelopment Plan, Township of West Orange, New Jersey (the “Fourth Amended Redevelopment Plan”); and WHEREAS, the Fourth Amended Redevelopment Plan creates a new overlay zone (the Film Services Overlay District (the “FSOD”), which provides for film production activities adjacent to the location of the world's first film production studio, the Black Maria, which was on the grounds of what is now the Thomas Edison National Historical Park; and WHEREAS, the FSOD is comprised of the following properties: Block 63, Lots 24, 25, 33.01, 33.02, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 41, located East of Standish Avenue and south of Lakeside Avenue;