TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Beyond James Viviano’s 66-unit American Dream Estates, two continuing development applications comprising a total 10 new homes that may be built in the township likely will be discussed at the June 16 Planning Board meeting.
Board Secretary Grace Kalish told Pascack Press that the two applications, a two home subdivision on Mountain Avenue adjacent to Washington Avenue proposed by Northeast Realty Partners LLC, and an eight-home subdivision on Gorga Place at Wearimus Road proposed by 34 Maple LLC are on the agenda.
The two-home minor subdivision was proposed in 2018, while the 34 Maple LLC proposal received preliminary approval in early 2020 when the Planning Board defaulted on its statutory responsibility to provide a review letter of the applicant’s proposal within 45 days of submission.
We reported in January 2020, because the Planning Board engineer—Paul Azzolina of Azzolina & Feury Engineering—did not report out the application, and the matter lay more than 45 days without generating a review letter, municipal land use law grants preliminary major approval automatically to an applicant.
Kalish said that the 654 Mountain Avenue applicant had not yet replied to her request for a list of panelists to offer testimony June 16. She said if the board did have a vote on that proposal, they will be voting on Preliminary Subdivision approval only.
She said the current request for a soil movement permit from 34 Maple LLC’s eight-home proposal will likely continue on June 16. “They are applying for approval of a soil moving permit application,” she noted.
654 Mountain Ave.
A hearing on an application for a minor subdivision consisting of two single-family homes on two lots at 654 Mountain Ave. will be heard before the Planning Board.
The application from Northeast Realty Partners LLC seeks to divide the property at Block 4213, Lot 4 into two building lots, lots 4.01 and lot 4.02. The applicant seeks a variance for lot 4.01 “as this lot does not have access to a public street,” said the public notice published April 9, 2021. The notice is included online with other documents filed for the application.
The vacant, partly wooded property to be developed is at the corner of Mountain Avenue and Washington Avenue, near the Westwood border. The approximate half-acre parcel is located in Class B Residential Zone, according to the applicant’s engineer.
“The subject property has a semi-rectangular configuration with an area of 22,213 square feet,” (0.51 acres), states Azzolina in a review of the proposal.
Azzolina notes the site is “moderately steep sloping from west to east at an approximate gradient of 15% with a more pronounced slope (about 40%) toward Washington Avenue.
Also, he notes a planning variance is required because the 4.01 lot abuts Washington Avenue but is not allowed to access the county road.
34 Maple LLC’s request
“The applicant requests permission for a major soil removal permit for property upon which a subdivision has been preliminarily approved,” states the public notice that appeared in mid-March 2021 for the applicant’s first April hearing on its soil movement permit request. Its second hearing on the permit is June 16.
34 Maple LLC is subdividing Block 1201, Lot 1 and Block 1101.01, Lot 5.01 into eight conforming lots, two of which have access to Wearimus Road. In order to provide street access to all the lots, the developer is extending Gorga Place.
The developer is proposing eight new single family homes on about 9.3 acres in the township’s AAA Zone, near the Ho-Ho-Kus border.
“Summary of soil movement is as follows: total soil to be removed +/- 7,046 cy; total fill, +/- 652 cy; and net export, +/- 6,394 cy. In conjunction with this request, approximately 111 trees are to be removed. Tree replacements will be made in accordance with Section 465 of the Zoning Code,” states the notice.
The soil movement permit is being requested “in connection with the Phase I construction of roadway and infrastructure improvements providing roadway access and underground utility services for the previously approved major subdivision,” consisting of eight lots ranging in size from 1.0 acre to 1.58-acre in size, notes a report from Azzolina.
Azzolina’s April 2, 2021 report to the board notes delays caused by the pandemic and details conditions related to the major soil removal permit request.
Azzolina’s report notes conditions that must be taken into account when reviewing the major soil permit, including tree preservation and landscaping, stormwater management, wastewater management, and a necessary cul-de-sac easement.
Also on the radar
We also are watching for developments on the township’s interest in the 3.2-acre tract at 450 Pascack Road, where Township Attorney Kenneth Poller said an appraisal report is pending prior to negotiations and/or seizure by eminent domain.
Likewise, we’re watching for development on the town’s interest in acquiring the private swim and rec club, at 464 Ridgewood Road. The Township Council authorized negotiations to begin toward acquisition the private nonprofit social club on Ridgewood Boulevard abutting the Garden State Parkway, at a purchase price of $850,000.
Resolution 21-181 was approved, 3-0, at the April 5 meeting. Voting yes, and without comment, were Council President Stacey Feeney, VP Desserie Morgan, and newly returned member Tom Sears.
Members Steven Cascio and Michael DeSena—who is challenging for mayor—were absent