HILLSDALE—A consultant for St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church argued Oct. 28 that Hillsdale’s redevelopment plan does not allow vehicle loading inside the proposed self-storage facility on Prospect Place—only parking—and that this omission means the Planning Board lacks jurisdiction to rule on the application.
Robert Costa, engineer and planner with Costa Engineering Corporation of Hackensack, testified that the Patterson Street Redevelopment Plan permits parking within the facility but not loading or unloading, especially when vehicles would have to back out onto Prospect Place, a public right-of-way.
He said that because the plan is silent on loading, the mayor and council must amend it before the application can be considered.
Costa also said the site plan relies on Prospect Place for internal circulation, which he called improper since the street is public.
The fourth hearing on the Hillsdale Self Storage LLC project—a self-storage building with an adjacent 72-space parking lot—is set for Nov. 13, said board chair Meredith Kates. She noted that board attorney Allyson Kasetta and planner Tom Behrens will review Costa’s claims before advising members on jurisdiction and possible conditions the board could attach to any approval.
Costa’s testimony drew sharp criticism from the applicant’s attorney, Jason Tuvel, who called the issue “at the point of ridiculousness.” He said, “The whole premise of a self-storage facility—whether a vehicle is inside or outside—is that users load belongings into or from the storage units. That’s normal operation and doesn’t require a variance.”
Attorney Frank Magaletta, representing St. John’s Church and St. John’s Academy, asked if he should submit additional materials on whether loading is allowed. He said he would share Costa’s slides and notes with Tuvel before the next hearing.
Kasetta said both sides will have an opportunity to respond to the board professionals’ findings on Nov. 13. Board member Starke Hipp asked for clarification on what the board is legally empowered to decide.
Costa also raised concerns about pedestrian safety, sight lines at vehicle exits, storm-water management, and possible runoff contamination into the nearby “Category One” Pascack Brook.
Tuvel objected, saying such issues fall under NJDEP review. Kasetta agreed that Costa’s remarks were speculative.
Earlier, Father Peter Smutelovic, pastor of St. John’s, presented videos showing flooding near the church during a July storm and described safety risks from trucks using the church parking lot to turn around. He urged mitigation of flood impacts and traffic near the school.
Kates asked Magaletta whether the church planned to propose conditions for the board to consider; Magaletta said they would do so after Costa’s testimony concludes.
Tuvel responded that most of the pastor’s concerns relate to municipal or enforcement issues but said he would be willing to meet to discuss them.
The Nov. 13 hearing is expected to include final cross-examination, public comment, and board deliberation.