TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—Residents opposed to a once-proposed multifamily independent senior living apartment and townhome complex at 450 Pascack Road—recently withdrawn by the applicant—have asked the Township Council to take action for a conservation easement to prevent development there.
Most Township Council members Sept. 14 said they saw a need to “revisit” possible acquisition of the 3.2-acre wooded parcel since the application had been withdrawn.
Several suggested working with township grant writer David Biunno on prioritizing local open space needs to get funding to purchase the site.
At the Sept. 14 meeting, four residents called in to request preservation of the parcel, recently proposed by a developer for a 48-unit senior living development including a 44-unit apartment complex and two townhome buildings with four units.
The property comprises a wooded buffer of mostly mature trees between homes on Ridgewood Boulevard East and nearby Washington Elementary School and Memorial Field.
According to tax records, the property, owned by John and Nora Morris, is assessed at $320,100 and subject to annual property tax of $7,775.23. According to Zillow, it includes a 1920s farmhouse and barn and was recently valued at $489,043. It is currently listed as off the market.
Following public comments Sept. 14, Council President Stacey Feeney said she agreed that “acquisition should be explored” and that “a better conversation [was] warranted for that property.” Most members seemed generally to agree with Feeney.
The next council meeting is Oct. 5.
Neighbors had charged that substantial development at the property would add traffic, creating safety concerns for schoolchildren, student-athletes, and residents walking in the area.
Developer Nick Tsapatsaris & Associates submitted an application during the summer after initial outreach to some homeowners on nearby Ridgewood Boulevard East. He withdrew the application before it could be scheduled for a public hearing by the Zoning Board.
Tsapatsaris is president of Lakos Construction Inc., the complex’s builder, and is a registered engineer and architect.
He said his firm has “not solidified our next steps and do not have anything to share regarding how we intend to develop the property except to confirm that it is a privately owned and buildable piece of property.”
The parcel is in the AA Zone, which permits single family homes at a half-acre per lot. Multifamily senior independent living has also been permitted in this zone on three similar properties, Tsapatsaris told Pascack Press on Sept. 15.
Two local knowledgeable sources told Pascack Press that the developer’s offer to purchase the property was contingent on local approval of the proposed development.
At the Sept. 14 council meeting, resident Diane Ferrara said that the application had been withdrawn and urged the council to pass specific resolutions to act “proactively” to prevent development.
She said the withdrawal presented a window of opportunity, and suggested a resolution be passed noting that, given noise pollution and proximity to the busy Memorial Field, that the property is not conducive to independent senior living.
She also suggested a measure to request the Planning Board look at the property and “protect it from overdevelopment” based on goals outlined in the Master Plan, including preservation of open space, aesthetics and tree preservation.
She suggested possibly zoning it for a conservation easement to preserve the land as community open space.
‘We’re begging…’
“We’re actually begging our town to look at this and see what they can do,” Ferrara said. She noted that independent adult living facilities were confined to Block 2506 in town and were built out there.
She said the removal of approximately 200 trees for previously proposed development on site would cause harm.
Another resident said development there would lead to rainwater runoff problems and a likely increase in the mosquito population.
Resident Brian Sinclair called the applicant’s withdrawal “a time to take a breath and look at things” and wondered what will happen should the developer present a second application. He said now “is a good time for all of us to think about how we cannot allow that.”
Council Vice President Arthur Cumming said he had “a great deal of concern” about 450 Pascack Road and called for “more discussion on these things.”
Councilman Steven Cascio noted the township previously sought to acquire the property but “the price being asked was outrageous.” He said acquiring it should be discussed and that the property could be a hiking trail with parking.
Councilman Michael DeSena suggested the council “immediately discuss” acquisition of 450 Pascack Road for use as a passive park and get its grant consultant to apply for state Green Acres funding to do so, with minimal taxpayer funds necessary.
Councilwoman Desiree Morgan said she “echoed” every member’s thoughts about “revisiting” possible acquisition of 450 Pascack Road for open space.
Mayor Peter Calamari said the council needed to prioritize local projects for grant funding with its grant writer.
Ridgewood Boulevard East neighbors told Pascack Press in July that the-then proposed development would come within 25 feet of a half-dozen or more residential backyards on the nearby street.