WESTWOOD, N.J.—Four candidates vying for two Westwood Council seats Nov. 3 have differing visions for the future of Westwood Plaza, the borough shopping center whose former Kmart anchor store has stood vacant for three years.
While all four candidates — Republican incumbent Lauren Letizia and former councilwoman Beth Staples, and Democratic incumbent Erin Collins and newcomer Kristian Rasmussen — expressed concerns about flooding and future development, their ideas ranged from expanded recreation and sports facilities to revitalized shopping, improved stormwater management and a possible trolley connection to downtown.
The privately owned shopping center has drawn renewed attention following a proposed $28.8 million acquisition by Regency Centers Corporation, a shopping center developer.
Although the property is zoned for shopping center uses, the borough amended its zoning ordinance in February 2024 to permit a range of indoor recreational uses. Public officials have a strong interest in how the property is developed, particularly given its history of flooding, proximity to wetlands and importance to nearby residents and businesses.
Candidates were asked about their hopes for Westwood Plaza and their priorities if elected.
Republicans envision shopping, recreation, flood protections
Republican incumbent Lauren Letizia, the current council president, said she wants to see Westwood Plaza “busy again, with shopping, services and indoor recreation that serve residents and complement our vibrant downtown.”
“Years of work have made Westwood a place people want to shop, dine and gather. Reinvestment should build on that success,” Letizia said.
She noted that the property is privately owned and choosing tenants belongs to the owner. Her role, she said, is to help establish appropriate permitted uses according to sound planning principles.
Letizia said she moved for adoption and voted for the February 2024 ordinance allowing indoor athletics, sports instruction and recreation within the Shopping Center district.
“We enabled a more diverse array of commercial and service offerings,” she said.
She said “ever-expanding” flood maps from FEMA and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection make residential uses inappropriate for the property, which is zoned for shopping center use only.
Letizia said Regency Centers has substantial regional shopping-center experience. “I hope that translates into thoughtful commercial investment suited to Westwood,” she told Pascack Press.
Any reinvestment, she said, should improve stormwater storage and runoff management, help protect wetlands and provide safe access and adequate parking.
Letizia also noted the Plaza hosts Westwood’s annual carnival and that nearby Westwood House residents rely on its convenient shopping and safe walking access.
“Its future should strengthen both our businesses and those community connections,” she said.
Republican running mate Beth Staples, a former councilwoman, emphasized the property’s wetlands and history of flooding.
Staples said underground storm runoff holding tanks no longer provide the water retention for which they were designed. She noted that the borough’s Master Plan, which she helped update, specifically discourages development in wetlands and floodplains.
“Any proposed redevelopment will have to address the flooding problem caused by the extent of impervious space on the property and must include a comprehensive stormwater management plan to keep this area and the adjoining properties safe in times of heavy rainfall,” Staples said.
She said wetlands, riparian buffers and floodplains must be protected.
Staples also pointed to the recently adopted shopping center zoning amendments permitting limited entertainment and sports facilities.
“The DEP granted the current owner permission to expand off the old Kmart building which could be developed as a sports center,” she said.
Staples said redevelopment should include large anchor stores and dynamic businesses that meet the needs of Westwood shoppers, filling the remaining spaces with a mix of retail offerings.
She suggested something akin to Closter Plaza, Ramsey Square, Tice’s Corner or Interstate Shopping Center.
Democrats suggest sports dome, downtown trolley
Democratic incumbent Erin Collins said her ideal future for Westwood Plaza would include a major indoor recreation facility.
“My dream would be that the Westwood Plaza could be converted into a Super Dome that is similar to the one in Waldwick or Fair Lawn,” Collins said, noting that the need for recreation space and fields is a constant balancing act for the community.
However, with the Plaza currently under contract, Collins said she would welcome retail businesses that complement Westwood’s downtown.
She also suggested a possible transportation connection between the two shopping areas.
“If there could be a collaboration with the new owners and our Borough to provide a trolley or shuttle service between the Plaza and our Commercial Business District, I believe it could be a win for our community,” Collins said.
Her Democratic running mate, Kristian Rasmussen, said “I support maintaining Westwood Plaza’s existing shopping-center zoning. Given the property’s history of flooding, more intensive development, particularly residential use, would be inappropriate.”
He added, “Any redevelopment should prioritize flood mitigation, improved drainage, and protecting surrounding properties.”
Campaign priorities: Flooding, planning, taxes and services
Beyond Westwood Plaza, the candidates identified priorities ranging from flood mitigation and responsible development to fiscal discipline, public safety, downtown parking and community involvement.
Letizia said her priorities build on a decade of service to Westwood and her work as council president. Her six areas of focus include planning and zoning; infrastructure and flooding; downtown parking; accessible government; community services; and history and connection.
She pledged to protect Westwood from overdevelopment, address state housing requirements through sound local planning and improve communication with residents through a digital magazine she launched and other borough outreach.
Staples said her priorities are keeping Westwood safe, walkable, accessible and the friendly community residents have worked to achieve. She would focus on zoning and planning, flooding, pedestrian safety and parking, municipal services and budgetary discipline.
Collins listed conservation and sustainability, maintaining a stable tax rate, continued flood mitigation in flood-prone residential neighborhoods and increasing volunteer involvement through better communication and collaboration with local organizations.
Rasmussen identified six priorities: flooding, fiscal responsibility, responsible development, housing, public safety and transparency.
He called for improved drainage and long-term regional flood mitigation, controlling spending and minimizing property tax increases, and balancing development with infrastructure capacity and neighborhood character.
Rasmussen also supports affordable housing and opportunities for seniors to age in place, maintaining essential infrastructure, supporting first responders and encouraging open government and meaningful resident participation.
Candidates bring government, business, volunteer experience
Letizia has served on the Borough Council since 2024 and is council president, with responsibilities involving planning, zoning, historic preservation, flood mitigation and parking.
She lives in Westwood with her husband, Joe, and their two children. She is co-founder of Celebrate Westwood and co-treasurer at Brookside School. Her professional background includes private equity human capital, university administration and nonprofit grants consulting.
Staples is a lifelong Westwood resident, former councilwoman and past chair of the Planning Board, Shade Tree Commission and Historic Preservation Committee. She currently serves on the Zoning Board and Shade Tree Committee.
She has served as chief of staff to several state assemblywomen, including Holly Schepisi, and is a former state president of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and vice chair of the Camp K20 Board of Governors. Her professional experience includes managing data communications equipment installations for Codex Corporation.
Collins is serving her third three-year council term, with experience in public safety, emergency management, recreation, land use, public properties and local assistance. She has served on the borough’s Green Team and helped launch Westwood’s compost program.
A Rutgers University graduate with a degree in political science, Collins has 20 years of professional accounting experience and owns Dan Eve, LLC. A longtime community volunteer, she has been involved with Westwood Cares, Dragons Soccer Club, the Mahwah Environmental Volunteer Organization and the Kiwanis Club of Pascack Valley.
She has also coached girls’ soccer and softball and led Girl Scout troops. She and her husband, Daniel “Mickey” Ricciardella, have three children.
Rasmussen has lived here since 2008 and brings 30 years of business and operations experience, including financial management, budgeting and organizational leadership.
He has volunteered with the Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps since 2013 and has been a certified EMT since 2014. He served three years as corps captain and received its Volunteer of the Year award in 2018.
He was cubmaster of Westwood’s Cub Scout Pack 350 from 2014 to 2018 and coached youth soccer with the Dragons Soccer Club.
Westwood Regional High School seniors query Westwood Council candidates
Students at Westwood Regional High School in the Township of Washington put questions to all four candidates for Westwood Borough Council during an Oct. 15 town hall in the school’s Hurley Theatre.
The program, held during the school day for seniors, was organized by social studies teacher Charles Collis and his AP United States Government and Politics class. Students developed six questions about community issues and presented them to the candidates.
Participating were Republican incumbent Councilwoman Lauren Letizia and running mate and former councilwoman Beth Staples, a Westwood Regional High School graduate; and Democratic incumbent Erin Councilwoman Collins and running mate Kristain Rasmussen.
The event was structured as a town hall rather than a debate. Candidates were seated by party ticket and given 90 seconds each for introductions, responses to student questions and closing statements. Collis enforced the time limits, and candidates were not permitted to offer rebuttals.
“Events like this Town Hall exemplify the core mission of Westwood Regional High School: preparing our students to be informed, active, and engaged citizens,” Superintendent Patrick McQueeney said. “We are immensely proud of Mr. Collis and his students for crafting thoughtful, community-focused questions, and we commend all four candidates for participating in this invaluable civic learning experience.”
The event gave students an opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking to represent their community ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
— Via Lori Perlow