WHEREAS, the City of Trenton, New Jersey, has been substantially designated as a "redevelopment area" pursuant to the New Jersey Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 et seq.) and its predecessors, with the first such designation occurring in 1968, and subsequently expanding to encompass over thirty-five (35) distinct redevelopment areas; and

 

WHEREAS, significant public interest has arisen regarding the acquisition and revitalization of vacant, city-owned properties situated within these designated redevelopment areas; and

 

WHEREAS, the current process for the disposition of such properties has, in practice, exhibited a perceived lack of transparency and an imbalance in access, disproportionately favoring well-resourced developers and corporate entities, including Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), over individual, long-term residents of Trenton; and

 

WHEREAS, a fundamental objective of the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law is to foster community revitalization and improve the living conditions of residents, which can only be truly achieved through equitable participation and opportunity for the city's citizenry; and

 

WHEREAS, it is imperative to ensure a fair and equitable chance for ALL residents of Trenton to participate in the revitalization of their neighborhoods and to mitigate speculative practices that may undermine the long-term stability and affordability of housing within the city;

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the undersigned residents and stakeholders of Trenton, New Jersey, respectfully petition the City Council to enact and implement the following policies and amendments to existing ordinances governing the disposition of city-owned properties within all designated redevelopment areas:

 

Limitation on Property Acquisitions: To promote widespread homeownership and prevent undue concentration of property ownership, no single individual, or any entity in which such individual holds a majority interest, shall be permitted to acquire more than two (2) city-owned properties within any designated redevelopment area. This limitation shall be enforced through rigorous review of all applications and disclosure of beneficial ownership.

 

Bona Fide Residency Requirement: Eligibility for the direct purchase of city-owned properties within redevelopment areas shall be strictly limited to individuals who have maintained continuous, full-time residency within the municipal boundaries of the City of Trenton for a minimum period of five (5) consecutive years immediately preceding the date of application. Applicants shall be required to provide verifiable proof of residency, including but not limited to, tax records, utility bills, and voter registration.

 

Prohibition of LLC Purchases: To prevent opaque ownership structures and to ensure that redevelopment benefits accrue directly to the resident community, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and other similar corporate entities shall be expressly prohibited from directly purchasing city-owned properties within the redevelopment areas of Trenton. This prohibition is intended to promote direct individual ownership and accountability in the redevelopment process.

 

We urge the City Council to acknowledge the urgent need for these reforms to ensure that the redevelopment of Trenton truly serves the best interests of its residents. By adopting these measures, Trenton can foster a more inclusive and equitable revitalization, empowering its citizens to build a lasting legacy of greatness within their own community.

 

Your support for this petition is a commitment to a fairer, stronger, and more resident-centered Trenton.

 

 

[Signatures to follow]