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Somerdale’s Governing Body Looks to Repeal Ordinances & Resolutions Regarding Reserve at Grace Redevelopment Project

The new Ordinance will be considered for Final Adoption after Second Reading and Public Hearing on Nov. 10, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

SJO Photo

On October 13, 2021, the Governing Body of the Borough of Somerdale introduced Ordinance #2021:14 — repealing certain Ordinances and Resolutions concerning the Reserve at Grace Redevelopment Project, according to a Legal Notice that was published on October 27, 2021.


According to the Ordinance, the Reserve at Grace Urban Renewal, LLC is in default of its obligations under the agreements with the Borough.

SJO emailed Somerdale Borough Clerk, Michele Miller, on October 28, 2021 and requested a copy of the Ordinance and also asked if the project is in jeopardy of being completed.

A copy of the Ordinance was emailed to SJO on November 1, 2021.

At the time of this posting, we didn’t receive a response so we filed an Open Public Records Request (OPRA) with the Somerdale Borough Clerk for a copy of Ordinance #2021:14 along with copies of Agendas and Meeting Minutes from 2018-2021.

In the Winter, 2021 edition of the Somerdale Voice, Mayor Gary Passante wrote about the “delayed opening” of Phase 1 of the Reserve at Grace:

Screenshot taken from the Winter, 2021 edition of the Somerdale Voice

SJO visited the Reserve at Grace Redevelopment site on October 29, 2021 and there was no construction activity going on.

Fencing surrounds the entire property.

The “Our Lady of Grace” lettering has been removed from the school and there is a low wall of decorative pavers in front of it.

Construction of what looks like an apartment building has begun.

The rectory has been demolished.

Photo Gallery by SJO:

In July, 2018, the Somerdale Planning and Zoning Board heard the application for the Reserve At Grace LLC for Preliminary and Final Major Subdivision Approval as well as Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the Project to be known as “The Reserve at Grace” for the redevelopment of the vacant Our Lady of Grace Church and School and several residences.

Reserve at Grace

SJO Photo taken July, 2018

The redevelopment was to include:

  • The demolition of the rectory
  • The removal of a portion of the school building
  • Demolition of several residences
  • The conversion of the church into a restaurant
  • Construction of an active adult apartment building where the school sits
  • Construction of two new mixed use residential commercial buildings
  • 214 parking spaces

Additional plans included 83 one and two-bedroom studio apartments, 7,400 square feet of commercial/retail space, and a 75 seat sit-down restaurant.

Ordinance #2021:14 will be considered for Final Adoption after Second Reading and Public Hearing on November 10, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at Somerdale Borough Hall, 105 Kennedy Boulevard.

Post updated 10/30/2021 at 9:40 a.m., 11/2/2021 at 9:15 a.m.