Camden Planning Board Rezones 52 Acres for Mixed-Use Development

Camden planners submitted a rezoning petition on July 1 that targets 52 acres of underused industrial parcels along the Cooper River in the Parkside neighborhood.

The filing arrives as the city records its third straight year of rising permit applications for residential conversions, driven by proximity to the Delaware River waterfront and existing transit links.

Targeted Parcels and Nearby Landmarks

The rezoning covers blocks bounded by Federal Street to the north and 36th Street to the south, directly adjacent to the Parkside Business Association headquarters on Haddon Avenue and the Camden Redevelopment Agency's ongoing riverfront trail extension. These changes would permit four- to six-story buildings with ground-floor retail, replacing current light-industrial zoning that has limited new construction since 2014.

City records show 187 building permits issued in Parkside between January 2025 and May 2026, a 31 percent increase over the same period two years earlier. Median sale prices for single-family homes in the neighborhood reached $312,000 in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Camden County Assessor's office, compared with $278,000 one year prior.

Review Process and Resident Options

The Planning Board scheduled a public hearing for July 22 at City Hall on Market Street. Draft maps and traffic studies remain available for inspection at the planning department offices through July 15. Property owners within 200 feet of the affected parcels will receive mailed notices by July 10.

Anyone seeking to comment can submit written statements to the Camden Planning Board by July 18 or attend the hearing in person. Final approval requires a vote by the City Council, expected no earlier than September.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.