HILLSDALE —The Borough Council met behind closed doors on May 23 over the 250-unit, four-story luxury rental complex proposed on 5.4 acres formerly occupied by a Waste Management waste transfer station.
The session, held to gather and assess the views of the all Borough Council members and review negotiations, followed a recent council move to better accommodate requests made by the redeveloper, Claremont-March Development, by introducing an ordinance to amend the Patterson Street Redevelopment Plan.
That ordinance, 22-08, includes minor changes to four areas, and was sent to the Planning Board for review following its April 25 introduction. It is set for a public hearing on Tuesday, June 14.
(For more, see “Hillsdale tweaks redevelop plan to suit luxury rental complex,” Pascack Press, May 2, 2022.)
The May 23 session featured a briefing by borough special redevelopment counsel Joseph Baumann, plus financial advisor Jennifer G. Edwards, managing director of Acacia Financial Group, Inc., of Montclair.
Mayor John Ruocco said the topic of community benefits, or what might be offered in recompense for a “density bonus,” should that be provided to the redeveloper, was discussed.
He said he could provide no further details as negotiations continue in secret among the redeveloper and borough’s redevelopment counsel, financial advisor, and borough negotiating committee.
The density bonus provision of the redevelopment plan was opposed by Ruocco and councilman Zoltán Horváth prior to the plan’s 5-1 approval at council in early 2021.
The majority felt the provision — which it may or may not grant — allows local flexibility to control density as well as get a community benefit in exchange.
Although the redevelopment plan allows up to 24 dwelling units per acre (DUA) in the Patterson Street redevelopment zone, the density bonus provision allows local officials to permit up to 60 DUA in return for a community benefit provided.
What that “community benefit” might be is open to speculation. Some suggestions have included a possible community center/senior center, recreational space or facilities, an active or passive park,
The negotiating committee consists of Ruocco, Council President Janetta Trochimiuk, councilman Frank Pizzella, and Business Administrator David Troast. Assisting them are Baumann, Edwards, and Francis Reiner, special redevelopment planner with DMR Architects, Hasbrouck Heights.
Pascack Press reached out to Ruocco, Trochimiuk, Pizzella, and councilwoman Abby Lundy to request general updates from the May 23 session.
Lundy said she was at the meeting but preferred not to comment as she is not on the borough Economic Development Committee or its Redevelopment Negotiations Committee.
“Rest assured the committees and professionals retained are acting in the best interest of Hillsdale,” Lundy said.
We asked whether another special meeting would be held soon where updated redevelopment plans would be disclosed and public input sought. Ruocco said he has “consistently recommended” such public meetings to the Negotiating Committee and the council.
“The process whereby approval is ultimately given by the governing body to a developer does require a certain minimum level of public input and disclosure by law. I hope that the governing body and the professionals we have hired to assist us will provide (an) extensive opportunity for the public to comment, since the proposed redevelopment will have a major impact on the community and the future direction of the downtown business district,” Ruocco said.
He wrote, “Indeed, the Economic Development Committee (of which the mayor is no longer an ex-officio member by virtue of bylaw changes adopted by the council majority in January) has already begun to turn its attention to steps needed to declare other areas of the downtown business district as an area in need of rehabilitation and revitalization.”
Last year, the council increased municipal taxes 5.3% to include a $500,000 down payment for an up to $10 million bond for a community center and new recreational fields/artificial turf field.
Recently, the council approved $44,500 for Colliers Engineering & Design to begin studies, field work and prepare bid specs for about $3.5 million in proposed Centennial Field upgrades.
Also recently, Horváth and Ruocco advocated for a non-binding public referendum in November on whether the borough should spend $3.5 million on recreational field improvements. The motion fizzled. (See “Push for $3.5M ballot ask rebuffed,” Pascack Press, May 16, 2022.)