As a resident of the First Ward and a candidate for that council seat, I am pleased that the Hawthorne Council has passed ordinance 1915-07 creating a new R-10 zone.  This is a step in the right direction toward redeveloping that area and replacing properties owned by absentee landlords with owner-occupied residences.

     The ordinance passed 5-1 with Ward One Councilman Joe Wojtecki voting against it.  I am disappointed at his vote.  He brought up parking issues that have no merit because the number of families will remain the same.  A two-family house and a one-family house will yield the same number of units as three one family houses.  In both cases, six off-street parking spaces will be required.

    I believe Mr. Wojtecki has confused redevelopment with overdevelopment.  The R-10 zone was created to promote redevelopment and the majority of the Borough Council concluded that this type of housing will achieve this goal.  The decision was in the best interestof Hawthorne.