Planning Commission Delays Decision on Centennial Woods

Nearly 70 people packed the Zoom room on May 4, 2021 to monitor the Media Planning Commission’s review, discussion, and decision related to the development plan submitted by B&G, Properties LLC to build four luxury homes and to chainsaw down 56 trees on the land situated at 6th Street and Centennial Avenue.

B&G Properties had requested multiple land development waivers that would make it cheaper, easier, and faster for them to carry out their plan that would result in the decimation of the Centennial Woods.

Michael Fiorentino, Esq., the attorney representing Keep Media Green and several neighbors living near the Centennial Woods, challenged the developer’s assertion that 56 trees had to be removed and argued against the requested waiver to pay the Borough a fee in lieu of complying with the ordinance requiring onsite tree replacement for any trees that are cut down. Michael also urged the Commission members to delay any final decision before the development plan was complete.

The Planning Commission members asked the developer to come back before them in June with a comprehensive plan for saving more of the mature trees and with a more robust tree replacement plan.

The Commission’s decision to delay their final recommendations for Borough Council has bought some time.

It’s still NOT TOO LATE for Borough Council to accept the developer’s offer to sell the property to the Borough, to preserve the woods, to establish a nature and wildlife preserve, and to save 100+ year-old oak tree living on the property.

Next Steps in the Decision-Making Process

Media Planning Commission Meeting, Tuesday, June 1, 2021 @ 7:30 PM

Media Borough Council Workshop Meeting, Thursday, June 3, 2021 @ 7:00 PM

Media Council Legislative Meeting, Thursday, June 17, 2021 @ 7:30 PM

Borough Council will resume holding Workshop and Legislative meetings in person in June in the Community Center room. We do not yet know whether the Planning Commission meeting will be held in person or not and will post that info as soon as we receive it.

If by Zoom, you must register in advance on the Borough website. Using the Borough calendar, click on the meeting, then on the registration link.