WESTWOOD—Newly minted councilwoman Lauren Letizia, substituting for Mayor Ray Arroyo, says the borough is experiencing more traffic and more visitors, while fearing the local impacts of a proposed state law that may reduce parking requirements on residential properties near mass transit.
(See “Westwood objects to proposed residential parking changes,” Pascack Press, Jan. 8, 2024.)
Letizia stepped up to deliver Westwood’s update at the annual Greater Pascack Chamber of Commerce Breakfast With the Mayors, held Jan. 24 at The Tavern at The Iron Horse.
The event—as usual, the all-you-can-eat buffet-style breakfast was grounded in everything from eggs Benedict to blintzes, fresh fruit to bacon, pancakes, and home fries, as well as plentiful coffee and juice—featured updates from first-time mayors James Koth of Oradell, Tom Gallagher of Old Tappan, and Michael Sheinfield of Hillsdale.
Also serving updates were Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna, Montvale Mayor Michael Ghassali, Township of Washington Mayor Peter Calamari, River Vale Mayor Mark Bromberg, Emerson Mayor Danielle DiPaola, and Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo.
We highlighted most of the event’s mayors’ remarks, as well as those of state Sen. Holly Schepisi—and a GPVCOC sendoff to longtime member and leader Robin Malley—on Feb. 5. This issue brings us the view from official Westwood and Woodcliff Lake.
Letizia on positive trends
At her turn at the microphone, Letizia said the road projects in Westwood are similar to other towns, including PSE&G, road upgrades, and some upgrades to parks, including tracks and tennis courts.
Regarding economic development, she said “There’s a number of positive trends we’re seeing right here in Westwood.” She said these include more than a dozen new and expanding businesses downtown; and the light manufacturing zones have seen “a number of new and expanded uses as well,” she said.
She said the borough has “many other projects that we know are coming down the pike for this calendar year. That’s the good news.”
She said impacts from Trenton initiatives may impact the local economy this year, including a proposed law to reduce parking requirements for residential properties near mass transit that will impact “our ability to have on-site residential parking significantly” which could add to a growing traffic problem.
She noted in the last 10 years, net vehicle registrations are up over 2,000 vehicles, “so while we’re hearing people are not driving that much, more people are registering more vehicles or more people are moving to the area.” She said boarding on NJ Transit trains “has been essentially flat” over the last decade.
She said a study that counted the number of vehicles that move through intersections in a 12-hour period in downtown Westwood over a five year period showed that the number of vehicles counted went up by over 6,500 vehicles. “So we’re seeing a ton more traffic in the hub of Pascack Valley.”
Letizia said other data for Westwood showed visitors coming mostly from 5-, 10- and 15-minute drive ranges. She said five minutes away captures a total of nearly 56,000 people.
“So people may love to come here for its walkability but they’re driving to get here. That’s what we’re battling here in Westwood.”
Editor’s note: In a letter of support for Letizia’s election to the council, member Beth Dell told Pascack Press in part, “Lauren’s volunteerism, organizing and promoting events for community members, local merchants and commercial property owners over the years has probably saved the borough hundreds of thousands of dollars in marketing and labor costs for promotional expertise. And by highlighting Westwood as a serendipitous pedestrian destination, she has helped draw more eager, regional consumers to the Hub.”
Dell said, “And that has made Westwood even more attractive to a host of existing and new businesses wanting to open here as evidenced by the sheer number of ribbon cutting anniversary celebrations and grand openings.”