With undeveloped land at a premium in central New Jersey, the Plainsboro Planning Board held a discussion on February 7 concerning land owned by the FMC Corporation near Route 1 and Scudders Mill Road. A comprehensive planning study is expected soon.##M:[more]##
“It’s a very important property and we are taking a fresh look at it in partnership with FMC to then enter into a process where we can review what is planned for it and come up with ordinance changes,” says Bob Sheehan, Plainsboro Township Administrator. “The process is just getting started and is likely to take several months.”
Township officials have said that the land is not fully developed to the current zoning and lacks an overall, coordinated plan of development. The site is the only one west of the rail line that is not being developed in line with a comprehensive master plan. “We are developing ideas about planning for the site,” says Ron Yake, of Plainsboro Community Development.
The 125-acre FMC property has approximately 50 acres that are able to be developed, in addition to the company’s existing facilities. In the past, FMC planners have developed their own plans, with some details ultimately being rejected by the township. Uses currently permitted are corporate administrative and professional offices; computer centers; training centers; research labs; limited manufacturing; and agricultural activities.
FMC officials have denied that the company is looking to sell the property, on which 20 research and development buildings are located. The FMC facility once had a workforce of over 1,”000, but following cutbacks its operations have shrunk to around 300.
