WOODCLIFF LAKE—A proposal to convert a mixed-use nonconforming 150-year-old residence at 216 Broadway into a six-apartment building that will be restored to its original Italianate-style design with a cupola was approved unanimously March 30 by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
A resolution of approval memorializing all the conditions and stipulations will be voted on at the Zoning Board’s April 26 meeting, said board attorney Sal Princiotto.
While the proposal was lauded for restoring a historic structure to its original design, some residents said approving the proposal might set a precedent for future high-density structures. Several also pushed to have any approval note that part of its approval was based on it being a historic building, which was agreed to by board members.
Planning Board members also worried about setting a precedent with an approval but their concerns were put to rest by the applicant and borough planners.
Both applicant planner Joseph Burgis and Borough Planner Liz Leheny said that every application is judged on its own unique merits and characteristics, and that the unique characteristics of the 216 Broadway site and application would make its approval highly unlikely to set any precedent for any future application.
A resolution detailing specific conditions and stipulations agreed to by the applicant, 216 Broadway LLC, will include contracting with a private hauler to pick up garbage/recycling; following affordable housing mandates should they apply; compliance with all board engineer stipulations spelled out previously; and meeting all conditions agreed to during the hearings.
Voting to approve were Chair Robin Malley, Gary Menze, Christina Hembree, Michael Kaufman, Lynda Picinic, Philip Maniscalco, and Barbara Bushell.
Before voting, Malley said the restored building would upgrade the corner, make the site more interesting. She said she was “tired of seeing old shells of buildings and parking lots with nothing there” along Broadway. She said other uses there, such as a café, would create more traffic and noted apartments “are a much more low impact use for that location.”
She praised applicant attorney Arthur Neiss and 216 Broadway LLC principal John DaCosta, noting they “did quite a job with this one,” adding she “was totally against it when you started.”
Maniscalco agreed the building was a “historic property” adding he did not think approving it would set a precedent, and called the proposal “a net positive” for the area.
Lynda Picinic said she thought the six-apartment structure “will have positive impact” on the community and Broadway. She said she was concerned approval might set a precedent, but noted “it being a historic site makes it truly unique.”
Bushell said the restored structure “will be a positive element in town. Right now it’s an eyesore.”
Hembree said she “was not concerned about” setting a precedent in zoning, noting that it was “not a legal term in zoning.” She said she thought the proposal was “going to be the best use of the space that is there.”
She noted she foresaw “a building that we’re going to be proud of and it’s going to surprise us and it will change our perception of Woodcliff Lake.”
Menze said he would have preferred five apartments instead of six given that it’s a small lot and building but noted “everything else is wonderful” including the architecture.
Earlier, Michael Westphal of Westphal Waste Management Services, Ridgefield Park, testified that he worked with DaCosta to redesign the trash/recycling enclosure area. He said the enclosure would contain two 2 cubic-yard containers, one for trash/waste and one for single-stream recycling items.
Westphal said pick up would be a “minimum” of three times weekly, twice for trash pick up and once for recyclables. If more pick ups were needed weekly due to overflowing trash or recyclables, Westphal said extra pick ups could be scheduled in concert with DaCosta.