great idea guys.. Especially the gas station. Its looking bad over the years

It's about time!!! I have lived on Wilow Drive since 2000 and that gas station has been a big eye sore...its embarassing as you turn off Rt 130 to see that building. You should put Bo's Wok on the list too. At least get rid of the 1970's sign for god sake

We sure miss Bo's wok.. :(

Seems like a lot of things are finally in the works around here. Bottom Dollar was a nice addition and the Shop Rite center seems to be doing well. Any news on the old ACME location?

That Mobil Station is not even close to the border with Delran. I think a Committeeman should know his way around town better than that. Someone needs to give that guy a map.

Christina,
What exactly what are the benefits of the township putting a property on the abandoned properties list. What benefits are there; and, if it does give the township leverage to fix up the properties is there a reason all properties in the township in the same disrepair aren't on the list (or is there a waiting period)?
Thank you

The township is partly responsible for properties being in the condition they presently are. Is there no property maintenance code in Cinnaminson , if not?, why not? Is there a Dept of sanitation in cinnaminson, if not ? Why not?Why aren't eating places inspected periodically to guarantee the cleanliness to patrons. And what about residential properties? Are they excluded from the "blighted list" There is one property located on Lenola rd that looks like "tobacco Rd" With jacked up cars, lack of landscaping, toys strewn about.. It has always been in that condition for the 13 years I have lived here and nothing has been done about it. Even their neighbors tolerate it. Perhaps they don't realize it depreciates the value of their property

How can a property on which the taxes are current be considered abandoned? Could a vacant lot on which the taxes are current be considered abandoned? What about the property next to Friendly's with the old farm stand on Rt 130? Why isn't that on the list?

I agree with Joseph Mogel. Some homeowners should be ashamed of themselves how they keep their property. Trash cans out front, windows rotted and filthy. Junk cars in the driveway or parked on the street WITHOUT A CURRENT REGISTRATION.

In our neghborhood we had to call the late Senator Adler to see the condition of this house and next day things were getting taken care of. There were abandoned cars, and a family of skunks living in them. Who is in charge of making sure everyone is keeping their property up to code? It seems the township has turned a blind eye to vacant properties. We have one where they finally made the owner put up a fence around the torn down house, but the foundation is still there and so are the 5 foot weeds.

re: abandoned cars
Although this is off-topic from the original article, I wonder if a seperate article could be done about abandoned cars on residential properties. There is a house in my neighborhood that has 2 apparently broken down, abandoned cars in their driveway. They are never worked on, are rusty, one has a tarp on it that is moldy and smells. Are there any township ordinances or regulations regarding this?

I have called about rodents living in the empty house next to mine. Deaf ears are all you get. I have asked about when they intend to pave the street I live on as it is crumbling around us folks who live on that street. Again, deaf ears. I would have to say if any of these concerns that have been mentioned so far were in any of the neighborhoods our fearless leaders (township committee) live in, these would not be an issue! It happens in every town in America. These people for the most part are interested in themselves and care not one bit about who they are supposed to represent until it is election time. This is why they are called politicians.

Instead of just quoting these blow hards on the committee, perhaps the article could actually contain the ordinance itself and and an explanation of how it operates.

I like where the comments are going, I could care less about these buildings up on the horrendous highway, if someone is headed southbound from Willingboro or Hunter's Glen the last thing I want is them thinking Cinnaminson is appealing. What I do care about is the general appearance of the residential neighborhoods. The woman on Branch Pike that has been having some kind of a daily yard sale for years, the home on Cinnaminson Ave that took years and years and years to get someone to start improving it, and the sidewalk on Hunterdon that the township ripped up in the winter and refuses to re-cement. The township has been contacted about the latter to no avail.

Can we get our priorities in line? Does the Route 130 corridor really affect residents lives (outside of closing the motels), or are neighborhoods, crime, and the schools which are quickly becoming overcrowded with our new friends down by the river really what we care about the most. Maybe a few more lanterns on the light posts or cashing out Barone's abandoned garage - lip stick on a pig - keep up the good work!

The ordinance for Abandoned property list is Chapter 140 and can be read by accessing township website and going to ordinances. The ordinance is based on NJSA 55:19, NJ Urban Development Corporation Act and NJSA 55:19-78 Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act (or Public Law 2003 c. 210) all of which can be accessed at the state's legilslative website http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/. Go to Chapter Laws.

For definition of abandoned properties look at NJSA 55:19-81:
55:19-81 Determination that property is abandoned.

4. Except as provided in section 6 of P.L.2003, c.210 (C.55:19-83), any property that has not been legally occupied for a period of six months and which meets any one of the following additional criteria may be deemed to be abandoned property upon a determination by the public officer that:

a. The property is in need of rehabilitation in the reasonable judgment of the public officer, and no rehabilitation has taken place during that six-month period;

b. Construction was initiated on the property and was discontinued prior to completion, leaving the building unsuitable for occupancy, and no construction has taken place for at least six months as of the date of a determination by the public officer pursuant to this section;

(cont...)

c. At least one installment of property tax remains unpaid and delinquent on that property in accordance with chapter 4 of Title 54 of the Revised Statutes as of the date of a determination by the public officer pursuant to this section; or

d. The property has been determined to be a nuisance by the public officer in accordance with section 5 of P.L.2003, c.210 (C.55:19-82).

A property which contains both residential and non-residential space may be considered abandoned pursuant to P.L.2003, c.210 (C.55:19-78 et al.) so long as two-thirds or more of the total net square footage of the building was previously legally occupied as residential space and none of the residential space has been legally occupied for at least six months at the time of the determination of abandonment by the public officer and the property meets the criteria of either subsection a. or subsection d. of this section.

L.2003,c.210,s.4; amended 2005,c.118,s.3.

sounds like we have a lawyer stating facts, but he misses the point...property values are going down, taxes are going up and the banks own the vacant houses and who pays the taxes....I have a vacant house thats been vacant for over 3 years and there is no forsale sign on it, the property lawn does not get cut regularly and the property is falling apart, the fense is not broken, the back porch had a tree fall on it and what is going to happen to this property.....the township charges 250.00 to cut the lawn, the township people ride around giving out paper on tree branches and yard clippings being out at the curb before the pick up date by our people but they never come on time, they are always early so why have a date set....oh well the government works that way....maybe he can quote a ordanance on that one....

to joepa75, my comments were made to the fact that you did your homework on the subject nothing else....the properties being commercial in nature are classified ratables therefore part of the tax base.....if they are to be taken off the books who is going to make up the tax difference U and the other taxpayers in cinnaminson.....I also am under the impression that b/c the value of houses are going down but are taxes are going up does not compute in my oppinion.....our taxes are based on the value of the house and property but if they do not address the market conditions we are lost in a tax hole.....how it this any better....still the houses being vacant with no one paying taxes is wrong....

John that was my only intent to give the ordinance because the article didnt and I and someone else asked. Nothing more. I didnt intend to comment. It was an exchange of info only. Others who are qualified to speak on what this means can comment. Im.not qualified. But the article didnt give any info on what the requirements were to get on list.