Our voices were heard, and the town is in the final steps of putting an end to all plans for warehouse use on the property. We could not have gotten here without all of you, with your in-person and online support.

I want to personally thank the Commissioners and the Prism team for listening to the community’s concerns about the original warehouse proposed use and for introducing a new path for the Kingsland Street lot. The new proposal includes zoning for a data center, medical offices, and senior living housing—with a much reduced traffic expectation and non-penetrable (black top/concrete) footprint. I especially appreciate how the Commissioners walked the public through the bureaucratic processes and the use restrictions laid out in the new proposed zoning plan, including how Prism plans to address concerns around light and sound pollution, flooding, and traffic. It was meaningful to see that our presence was felt in and out of the room and taken into account in the ongoing negotiations for the property’s use. While we don't yet know all the details of what new development will entail, this feels like a step in the right direction and a great reason to keep being engaged and vocal.

As of now, I have not yet received a copy of the updated zoning proposal, though I’ve submitted a request for one and will be sure to upload it to our community Google Drive as soon as it becomes available. As mentioned in the meeting, anyone can also request a copy through the Clerk’s Office at the Nutley Municipal Building.

For clarity, the zoning plan would approve what kind of buildings would be allowed for the plot. Both the town and developers expressed that even if use is approved in the next meeting, we are still months away from a proposed site plan where matters like drainage, traffic, privacy, and noise would be addressed.

Next steps: the new zoning proposal will be presented again at the Commissioners’ meetings on July 1st and July 2nd. While agendas haven’t yet been posted, it appears that the formal withdrawal of the original warehouse application will be addressed on July 1st, with a potential vote on the new plan to follow on July 2nd.

I encourage you to attend: to stay informed, to keep all parties accountable that the original warehouse plan is finally put to bed, and to ask questions or raise concerns about what comes next. Your presence matters. I’ll be at both meetings and hope to see many of you there.

Finally, thank you to everyone I’ve met throughout this process. Nutley is evolving, and it’s been deeply moving to connect with residents and business owners—longstanding and new, across generations and perspectives—who care so much about the future of our town.

Be well. See you July 1st and 2nd.
– N