We get this question a lot—and it makes sense. The answer isn’t always simple, but here’s the deal: it comes down to zoning rules and property rights.
All towns in New Jersey, including ours, are divided into “zones” for things like residential, commercial, industrial, or open space. You can check out our Zoning Map here. Each zone has rules, like how tall a building can be or how far it needs to be from other properties. This is how we make sure new development fits the bigger plan for Bordentown, called the Township Master Plan. That plan gets re-examined every 10 years.
Here’s the key part: if a property is zoned for commercial use (think retail stores, restaurants, offices, personal services), the Township can’t make someone build a specific use like a Target, a Trader Joe’s, or an exciting new restaurant. And we can’t stop them from opening something else, either, as long as a project follows the zoning rules. The property owner has the right to move forward. That’s why you sometimes see warehouses in certain areas, or houses going up on land that used to be a farm. If the use is permitted by the zoning, the owner has the right to develop it that way.
Here’s the other thing: with the exception of public parks, roads, and municipal facilities (like our new municipal complex that’s in the works), the Township doesn’t develop properties. We’re not real estate developers or builders. Individual property owners and companies make decisions on their land within the framework of the Master Plan and zoning laws.
That said, we are working to make room for the kinds of businesses residents want, like larger retail options. But it takes time, planning, and teamwork. These decisions are guided by the Master Plan and your feedback.
Want to get involved? Come to a Planning Board or Township Committee meeting, or reach out to our Zoning and Community Development offices. We’ll be reviewing the Master Plan soon, so now’s the time to have your say.
Your voice helps shape the future of Bordentown.