RIVER VALE—A third public hearing on a controversial application to construct nine buildings and 52 townhomes on 5.4 acres at 691-693 Rivervale Road was rescheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the River Vale Community Center, according to the Joint Planning Board’s land use administrator.
“The purpose of this meeting is to review the application of Incandescent Development, LLC, for 691 & 693 Rivervale Road, Block 813, Lots 17 & 18. All members of the public are welcome,” states the notice released July 31 by Maria Haag, land use administrator for the Joint Planning Board.
The application was originally scheduled for a third hearing on April 24 and then July 17, but the applicant postponed both prior hearing dates without providing reasons for the delays.
The proposed development includes eight affordable townhouse units. Officials told Pascack Press that it was likely the board would have voted on the application on July 17 if all testimony had been concluded at that meeting and the public had an opportunity to make final comments on the proposal.
Land use administrator Maria Haag previously told Pascack Press, “There should only be one more meeting which will end with a vote by the board.”
Haag said the applicant’s planner was scheduled to testify at the third hearing, followed by questions from the board and the public, and then public comments.
Incandescent Development LLC, based in Hackensack, is the applicant and developer of the 5.4-acre property. The property is currently owned by Nicholas Forcellati, who is listed as the owner of VER Corporation, LLC. They are both separate entities.
The development includes eight affordable units consisting of four townhomes with two affordable units each, in addition to 44 separate, single-family market-rate townhomes.
“Applicant is respectfully requesting preliminary and final site plan approval with bulk variance relief, a use variance, height variance, and major soil movement approval, as well as any and all other relief and design waivers or exceptions required,” reads the public notice published on Jan. 9, 2024, for the application.
The notice says the applicant is requesting a use variance for townhouse use and a height variance where the maximum building height is 32 feet and 38 feet is requested.
The applicant seeks the following bulk variance relief from the township’s zoning ordinance:
- A variance for impervious coverage where 40% is permitted and 48.1% is proposed.
- A design waiver for minimum area for active recreation where 0% is required and approximately 7% is proposed.
The applicant also proposes associated site improvements, including landscaping, drainage, impervious surface reduction, and lighting on the property.
Officials anticipate hearing from the final applicant witness, planner Brigette Bogart of Wyckoff, at the next meeting. After her testimony, it is likely her statements will be opened for board and public questions.
If the applicant does not recall any prior witnesses, chair Scott Lippert will likely open the meeting to final comments from Joint Planning Board members and the public. If time allows, the board might vote on the application or delay a vote if more information or testimony is needed.
Residents can access more than 30 Incandescent Development application documents on the Joint Planning Board page at rivervalenj.org.