At its May 5 meeting, Northampton Borough Council reluctantly granted a one-year extension to a New Jersey development company, which had been given earlier approval to make major improvements to a former apparel manufacturing plant on Main Street for 12 apartments on three floors.

Councilman Ed Pany recommended Windward Pass Holdings LLC, represented by Dan Donnelly, be directed to provide the borough with a status report after six months and that this requirement be incorporated in paperwork granting the extension to May 2, 2017.

Borough Manager Gene Zarayko stated the extension sought by Donnelly is to allow him to arrange the financing for the conversion project.

Leroy Brobst, assistant to the manager, informed council that approval of the plans for the apartments was granted in 2014.

As council discussed the pro and cons of allowing the extension, borough Solicitor Steven Goudsouzian advised borough lawmakers that “if (the developers’) approval is lost, you have nothing. You have very few choices.”

“I want to see it kept on the tax rolls,” Pany said, pointing to proposed projects, such as condos at 21st Street and the long-vacant former Central School building on Main Street, that still have not materialized although plans were approved.

In other news, Councilman Anthony Lopsonzski Sr. mentioned a recent storm caused heavy damage to the roof of the Tama building.