The Borough established an Area in Need of Rehabilitation to spur growth and development:

An area on the western edge of Leonia, near Grand Avenue and Fort Lee Road is designated as an Area in Need of Rehabilitation (AINR) to create economic development opportunities within the Borough. The AINR is a special designation under New Jersey law that empowers the Borough with tools for improving housing and economic development. 

The Borough’s goals for this area include creating opportunities for more density, converting surface parking areas to infill development, and developing senior housing. To utilize the tools associated with the AINR, the changes being made must align with Borough’s Master Plan. 

The designation as “in need of rehabilitation” is legal definition under New Jersey’s Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (LRHL). It does not imply that properties or homes in the area are blighted or  in need of repair. The criteria for this designation includes the age of housing stock, the age of water and sewer infrastructure. Designating an area as an AINR simply provides the Borough with additional tools to encourage development and help property owners who wish to make improvements. 

Map of the Area in Need of Rehabilitation

Being designated as an Area in Need of Rehabilitation enables a suite of tools for current property owners and developers. Some of these tools include: 

⦁ To incentive improvements to properties, the Borough can offer a five-year tax abatement to property owners

⦁ To facilitate development in alignment with the Master Plan, the Borough can provide loan or bond financing support for development

⦁ To simplify bureaucratic processes, the Borough can coordinate with a developer and public agencies on topics such as zoning

⦁ To support new or feasibility studies, the Borough can contract for professional services or carry out inspections, surveys, sounding or test borings on properties

⦁ To enhance the building stock in the area, the Borough can carry out voluntary rehabilitation programs and develop plans for the enforcement of codes and regulations

The Area in Need of Rehabilitation does not allow the Borough to use eminent domain. The Borough has not formally designated an Area in Need of Redevelopment. This designation would offer additional tools such as the use of Payment-In-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOTS) to encourage development. 

To learn more about the Area in Need of Rehabilitation or if you are interested in taking advantage of one of the incentives, contact the Borough Administrator by dialing 201-592-5780 and selecting menu option 1 or by via email at administrator@leonianj.gov