Keyport approves 'rehabilitation' votes Designation meant to encourage real estate investment in boro BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent The Borough Council passed two resolutions Feb. 20 that moved forward the designation of Keyport as an "area in need of rehabilitation." One resolution authorized the designation while the other called for the adoption of procedures in conjunction with the rehabilitation. Both resolutions passed unanimously. Keyport qualifies for the designation because more than half of its housing stock is over 50 years old, and the water and sewer infrastructure is in need of extensive repairs, according to a previously filed report by Paul Ricci of T&M Associates. The New Jersey Office of Smart Growth lists five-year tax abatements to property owners who convert multifamily dwellings into single-family homes as a primary reason for this designation. Single-family homeowners who want to make improvements could also be granted tax abatements in addition to owners of commercial properties. According to the Office of Smart Growth's Web site, www.smartgrowthgateway.org, the measure is meant to encourage private real estate investment. Commenting on the designation and his hopes for the future of Keyport, Mayor Robert Bergen stated, "I am very happy about the designation and the potential for revitalization of the community. I have been working on this for the better part of one year, and am looking forward to receiving input from residents on both a formal and informal basis." According to Mayor Bergen, the next step in the process is to forward approval of the designation to both the Office of Smart Growth and the Department of Community Affairs, where it will be reviewed formally. "Both entities will review our decision to make sure it is consistent with their principles," Bergen said. Bergen said that both the Planning Board and Redevelopment Committee in Keyport will hold seminars as well as formal hearings on the exact steps that need to be undertaken in the process, in order to ensure the public's input. "Each step in the process will be done by ordinance, and the approval of ordinances require public hearings and additional votes by the council. I am looking forward to involving the community in each step," said Bergen.