Hamilton council apologizes to couple over meeting notification

John and Bonnie Patterson have been following the development of the former Patterson Chevrolet site on Rt. 33 since it started making its way through public boards in 2013.

HAMILTON -- A Hamilton couple received apologies from the township council this week after not being notified of a key council meeting regarding development near their Nottingham Way home.

In March, John Patterson said at the council meeting Tuesday, the couple was told by a lawyer working for the site developer Delco that they would be informed if the matter came before council meetings, or the zoning board.

The Pattersons qualified to be notified of certain zoning or planning board meetings where the development was discussed, because they live within 200 feet of the development.

 But the council has no such provision and only has to make standard public notifications of council meeting dates and times. 

So when the developer's lawyer was before council in March, the lawyer and council told the Pattersons and others that they would make such notifications anyway in the spirit of transparency.

In September, the couple was not notified of the meeting when the council approved an ordinance to adopt the vacant Rt. 33 lot as a rehabilitation area.

That occurred just days after the issue came before a planning board meeting the Patterson's say they lucked into finding out about.

John Patterson angrily reminded the council they were not notified of the meetings. "I specifically stood here and was promised that notifications would be made," he said.

After discussing the technicality of who needs to be notified when, Councilman David Kenny said: "Frankly, we messed up, and the developer too. I owe you an apology. I feel bad about that."

Kenny said the council and Delco's lawyer had an agreement to notify residents like the Pattersons. "And it did not get done."

Council President Dennis Pone then directed the council clerk to have a latter sent to Delco and their attorney to remind them of the deal on notifications for future actions. "So nothing else slips by," Pone said.

Other council members later expressed their apologies to the couple as well.

John and Bonnie Patterson are of no relation to the former Patterson dealership.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.

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