WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. (May 8, 2025) — The Borough Council took key steps toward expanding affordable housing and guiding redevelopment at a special meeting held May 5.
In a brief noon meeting, councilmembers voted 4–0 to authorize a site plan agreement for a 100% affordable housing development at 230 Broadway, and to appoint Francis Reiner of DMR Architects as the borough’s redevelopment planner for 2025.
Councilmembers Julie Brodsky, Benjamin Pollack, Nicole Marsh, and Jennifer Margolis approved both resolutions. Councilmembers Josh Stern and Chris Bonano were absent.
About the 230 Broadway Project
The approved application, submitted by Bergen County United Way/Madeline Housing Partners LLC, includes:
- Two three-story residential buildings
- A total of 24 units:
- 4 one-bedroom family units
- 11 two-bedroom family units
- 4 two-bedroom supportive units
- 5 three-bedroom family units
- 46 parking spaces
This project is part of Woodcliff Lake’s Third Round (1999–2025) affordable housing settlement. Mayor Carlos Rendo will now sign the site plan application, which will be sent to applicant attorney Bruce Whitaker.
Redevelopment Activity Expands
Also on May 5, the council passed Resolution 25-146 to appoint Reiner as redevelopment planner. The move follows an April 22 Land Use Board meeting where two now-vacant properties were designated as areas in need of redevelopment:
- The former Woodcliff Lake Hilton Hotel, purchased at auction by Garden Homes for $50.7 million
- Part of the BMW headquarters site, currently under contract to Russo Development LLC
The council is expected to formally act on those redevelopment designations at its May 21 meeting. If approved, the borough will likely develop separate plans for each site in partnership with the respective owners.
Mayor Rendo called the redevelopment moves a positive step for the borough.
“Both sites have sat vacant, so this begins the process of ensuring that future development is consistent with our vision for the community,” Rendo told Pascack Press.
“This is about local control,” he added. “We’re evaluating what kind of development best fits the Tice Boulevard corridor — and making sure it aligns with our fourth-round affordable housing obligations.”
What’s Next
According to DMR Architects, both properties met Criterion A of the state’s redevelopment statute — indicating they are obsolete, underutilized, or no longer suited to their original use.
You can view DMR’s full reports — 75 pages for the BMW site and 46 pages for the Hilton — via links on the Land Use Board webpage.
Related: Former Hilton, BMW digs recommended as redevelopment areas (April 26, 2025)