Monday, May 20, 2013
Does the re-amended application constitute a new application? That's what opposing counsel, SOD and residents want to know.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment is holding a special meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. to continue the hearing of the proposed development of the United Water property by Hekemian. This meeting comes on the heels of the dramatic ending of last week's meeting when counsel for the developer announced that they had entered into a conceptual agreement with the New Milford Board of Education to donate three-acres of property, along with a 'sizable' donation, for a 'field of dreams.' Opposing counsel plans to petition the Board to consider this a new application, rather than an amendment to the existing application. Oradell attorney Louis Flora said that because the land will now have a different use, residents who live within 200 feet of the property …
Sunday, May 19, 2013
The overwhelming reaction to the BOE's vote approving a 'conceptual' contract with the developer of the United Water property dominated the conversation in town this week.
Jaws dropped and tensions mounted during Tuesday's Zoning Board meeting at the revelation that the New Milford Board of Education (BOE) had entered into a separate agreement with the developer of the United Water property to receive a parcel of land to build a 'field of dreams.' Depsite the loud response that accompanied the revelation that the New Milford Board of Education (BOE) had entered into a separate agreement with the developer of the United Water property to receive a three-acre parcel of land to build a 'field of dreams,' the Board of Ed stands by their decision. Defending the BOE's decision, Superintendent Michael Polizzi said, "Creating 21st Century learning environments extend past the walls of the classrooms." It took four …
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The revelation that the Board of Education entered into a conceptual agreement with Hekemian for a 'field of dreams' has raised the temperature on the United Water property conversation.
The aftershocks of the revelation that the New Milford Board of Education (BOE) had entered into a separate agreement with the developer of the United Water property to receive a three-acre parcel of land to build a 'field of dreams' have rippled throughout community since Tuesday's meeting of the Zoning Board. Board of Education president, Darren Drake, said that the Board's approval of entering into a 'conceptual contract' with Hekemian for three-acres of property to construct a field of dreams-like "state of the art" athletic field is in line with the Board's vision of moving the district forward, athletically as well as academically. "As a Board, we are charged not only with the academic component of a superior education, but also the …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
"Conceptual contract" includes Hekemian donation of 3 acres of property and a 'sizable' donation for BOE to construct an athletic stadium.
Jaws dropped and tensions mounted during Tuesday's Zoning Board meeting at the revelation that the New Milford Board of Education (BOE) had entered into a separate agreement with the developer of the United Water property to receive a parcel of land to build a 'field of dreams.' Attorney for the applicant, Antimo "Andy" DelVecchio, informed the Zoning Board that Hekemian had entered into a "conceptual contract" with the New Milford BOE to donate "in excess" of three acres of property to construct a field of dreams-like "state of the art" athletic field and stadium on a parcel of property that is not subject to flooding. DelVecchio stressed that the developer is not building the athletic stadium, they are only donating the land and a "…
Monday, April 22, 2013
The week in review in New Milford--read all last week's top stories.
Described as a 'hoarder,' the mummified body of Alice Klee, 68, is found by her landlord under debris in her apartment more than two months after the initial search of the unit. Mayor casts the tie-breaking vote defeating motion to appoint an independent special redevelopment planner. Expert says the master plan puts affordable housing on 13-Acre United Water property. 10-year review of the master plan to begin just in time for the potential rehab of the Brookchester Garden apartments. The volunteers who leave their families to assist your families need your help. A rock concert to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the New Milford High School BUDDY program. Family owned farm introducing a whole new way to learn …
Friday, April 19, 2013
Expert says the master plan puts affordable housing on 13-Acre United Water property.
Thursday's special meeting of the Zoning Board began where it ended last--with the cross examination of the applicant's planner, Peter Steck, who owns a private consulting firm in Maplewood. As with his prior testimony, Steck repeatedly stressed that the proposed development of the United Water property--70,500 sq. ft. supermarket, 4300 sq. ft. bank and 24 low and moderate income housing units (down from 221 units)--is an "inherently beneficial use." Under the borough's first two Council of Affordable Housing (COAH) requirements, New Milford needs to construct 45 low to moderate income housing units. The current United Water application requires all 24 of the housing units to serve as affordable housing. "It was my conclusion [the …
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Further states that by the governing bodies lack of action, the application meets all criteria for approval
After years of the borough providing documentation showing that the United Water property would be best utilized for affordable housing units, the project planner for the proposed development of the 13-acre United Water property has stated that by New Milford's inaction, the mixed-use project is inherently beneficial to the town. Peter Steck concluded his testimony during Tuesday evening's Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting where he placed the onus of the Mayor and Council's decision to not rezone the property the impetus for the need of a D variance. "The governing body could have zoned this site to hold all of the [affordable housing] units, but they did not do that," Steck testified. "We deserve merit approval of this application …
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Joseph Binetti is the latest Zoning Board member to be recused from the United Water hearings over a perceived conflict
The New Milford Zoning Board of Adjustment will now have the bare minimum of five sitting members for a quorum as Joseph Binetti recused himself from the remaining United Water hearings on Tuesday night. Binetti is now the third member to be recused from the United Water hearings following Board Chairman Karl Schaffenberger's decision in February 2012 and then Vice-Chairman Ronald Stokes' recusal in late March 2013. "It is not my choice to recuse myself, having been a part of the application from the beginning," Binetti said. "I thought I have served both sides well listening during these many, many months. If an application comes in front of me that may effect my livlehood, I will do the best of my ability to sit here and repesent the …
Friday, April 5, 2013
SOD will host a public meeting on April 10 for all New Milford and River Dell residents
On Wednesday, April 10, SOD will be holding an open meeting and invites all interested New Milford and Oradell residents to attend. The meeting is scheduled for 7:00 pm at the Senior Center on River Road. At that time we will be recapping the Board of Adjustment Hearings on granting variances to develop the United Water property. The Executive Board will discuss strategies for the final portion of the hearings. The public can now present its case to the Board and then the hearing will be open for comments from the public. Those residents who have been following the developments but have been unable to attend the Board meetings are welcome to come and participate on the 10th. With the end in sight it is imperative that we present a …
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
The proposed United Water property hearings before the New Milford Zoning Board of Adjustment is closing in on its final meetings
After over 30 regular and special meetings before the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the hearings for the proposed development of the 13-acre United Water property is nearing a close. Development attorney Andy DelVecchio called two of his three final experts last week and is expected to conclude his presentation on April 9. The proposed mixed-use development includes a 70,500 sq. ft. supermarket, a 4300 sq. ft. bank and a significantly pared down housing component--24 units down from an original 221 units. "I'm getting close to concluding direct presentation for the application," DelVecchio said. At the last Zoning Board meeting, he called forth supermarket architect Thomas Ashbahin and engineering expert Michael Dipple. According to Ashbahin…
tony g2010
7:34 pm on Monday, May 20, 2013
Karen, I thought SOD was going to defeat the mightily developer and have 13 empty acres? How ya plan on paying for that? If you are so interested in a vote, why don't you advocate for a simple for or against vote out there? Careful what you wish for Karen. Everyone against this development should be calling for Subrizzi and DeBari to be held accountable not Polizzi. more ›