WOODCLIFF LAKE—The borough public works superintendent recommended that a six-unit apartment building proposed for 216 Broadway should be serviced by a private trash hauler and said the tenants of six units would produce an “excessive” amount of trash, recycling and bulk waste versus the current three-apartment building there.
DPW Superintendent Chris Behrens was the only expert testifying Feb. 22 at an abbreviated third hearing, due to applicant attorney Arthur Neiss requesting a postponement for a special hearing when more Zoning Board members could be present to hear and vote following final testimony on the application.
Only six of nine Zoning Board members were present at the hearing. Board Secretary Meg Smith said the special hearing date would be posted on the Zoning Board website when available.
The testimony from Behrens was disputed by applicant attorney Arthur Neiss, who previously said the applicant principal, John Da Costa, of 216 Broadway LLC, was hoping to use DPW to pick up trash and recyclables at 216 Broadway, as currently occurs with the three apartments housed at the multi-family, mixed-use building.
Faber Carpets previously occupied the first floor of the mixed-use building.
The applicant’s proposal looks to convert the mixed-use building into a six-unit apartment building and restore the structure to its original, Italianate-style design per its 1870s-era original construction, with a cupola, and transform the rundown structure into a visually appealing landmark along Broadway.
At the applicant’s second hearing, Jan. 25, residents and board members raised questions about trash pickup concerns — which is why Behrens was called to testify — and possible fire safety concerns, whether the entire building should be sprinklered, and whether the approval of a six-apartment unit would create a precedent for higher-density housing elsewhere along Broadway, and the borough.
Behrens said he recalled one complaint regarding trash at 216 Broadway over the past 12–18 months. Following Neiss’s questions, Behrens said he could not say if that fell during the time period that Da Costa has owned the building, or approximately the last 12 months.
Behrens said that he did not keep written records of complaints or calls to DPW, and noted his only recollection was of “verbal complaints” that were taken and resolved at the location. Some attention focused on trash pickup at 62 Broadway, an office building. Behrens said that it was his understanding that the DPW did not pick up trash there, though he did not know how many units were there.
Also, he said, the DPW did not pick up trash at local group homes.
He estimated that the six-unit apartment building would likely produce 12–20 cans of garbage weekly, or more, between trash and recycling containers. Moreover, he said bulk items, such as furniture and appliances, needed to be accounted for and picked up.
In addition, Behrens noted waste industry experts predicted future local collection of food waste scraps, which would require more containers for each unit.
Behrens said that a private trash company should be asked what they would do for efficient pickup of trash and recyclables at the six-unit building given its proposed site plan.
When Neiss asked Behrens if the applicant might “come up with an approach that makes sense for the building and makes sense for you,” board attorney Sal Princiotto interjected.
Princiotto said that Behrens came before the board, made his recommendations, relying on industry standards, and said he did not believe there “could be another alternative” to address trash and recycling pickup concerns.
He said Neiss provided his views, the board and public also weighed in, and the board will ultimately determine how trash pickups will be managed at the building.
Resident Gwenn Levine wondered if there was enough space for two Dumpsters behind the building and Behrens said he could not answer that, suggesting a private hauler needs to be contacted to figure out space needed for Dumpsters and access to the area.
AnnMarie Borelli asked what happens when there’s not enough receptacles for all the garbage and recycling generated by the six units. She noted a garbage “overage” could lead to rats.
Several residents pointed out that private trash haulers often make unwelcome noise when picking up containers early in the morning.
Resident John Mayo noted a garbage pickup ordinance limited pickup until 7 a.m. due to noise and questioned the enclosed area size required to contain Dumpsters for the six units.