WOODCLIFF LAKE—A proposal for 15 high-end townhomes on Rosengren Court — part of an agreement originally approved in the borough’s 2017 affordable housing settlement — will seek preliminary and final site plan approval on April 14 at 5 p.m., before the borough Planning Board on Zoom.
Woodstack Homes Inc., Newark, will build the townhome development on the approximately 7-acre property, located at Old Pascack Road and Pascack Road, and officially designated as Block 2205.01, Lots 2.01, 3,4,5, and 6.
Residents interested in viewing application documents can find them under “Application Information” on the Planning Board website.
The development agreement was part of the affordable housing settlement. In exchange for construction of the 15-townhouse development, Rosengren was to contribute $600,000 to the borough’s affordable housing trust fund. Those funds were to be earmarked for “extending affordability controls” at Centennial Way and the North Broadway affordable family rental project.
Initially, Rosengren sought rezoning of the property to build 43 townhomes, although the site was originally zoned for five single-family homes.
“The applicant will request any and all variances, waivers, exceptions, de minimis exceptions, interpretations and/or incidental relief from the requirements of the Municipal Land Use Ordinance of the Borough of Woodcliff Lake that may be required by the Planning Board or its professionals after review of the application,” states the April 1 public notice.
Per the settlement, the borough will rezone the Rosengren site for 15 high-end, market rate townhouse units expected to sell in excess of $1 million. The agreement limits the townhouses to a maximum of 35 feet high and 3,500 square-foot per unit, “with limited impact on the neighboring properties.”
According to a study by Community Housing and Planning Associates, the 15-townhome development is likely to generate 42 persons based on a Rutgers Center for Urban Policy Research study. “Added to the 2020 count of 6,126 persons, this would be an increase of 0.69%, which is a negligible change in terms of total population.”
The study also predicts school population increases based on the number of townhouses. Projected increase in school children K-4 were estimated at 1.9 students; 0.6 students for middle school; and 0.9 students for high school.
The proposed townhouse units will consist of two residential floors over recreational space and parking, and no more than 35 feet in height “to be compatible with residences in the vicinity.”
The study notes Woodcliff Lake provides 2.94 police officers for every 1,000 residents, which exceeds the accepted planning standard of 2.2 officers per 1,000 residents.
Based on the addition of 42 residents, the borough would have 2.92 officers for every 1,000 residents. It would not need to hire additional officers.
The study concludes the 15-townhome development would have “minimal impact” on the property, adjacent property and the neighborhood.