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New ordinance introduced
(by Maggie Fazeli Fard - February 13, 2008)
On Monday, Feb. 11, the River Vale Council once again introduced an ordinance that would create new town home zoning in the township, paving the way for the development of 59 townhouses on a tract of land adjacent to the River Vale Country Club, formerly Bergen Hills.
The ordinance is the latest in a series of revised versions dating back to 2006. This version was drafted following joint meeting with the planning board on Dec. 10 and incorporates some of the feedback, including changing the area requirement from three to five acres, given to the council by the board.
If passed on second reading next month, the ordinance would allow for the development of 59 units on the site, including 37 market rate units with a minimum of 15 one-bedroom units, a maximum of 22 two-bedroom units, and the option of two three-bedroom units. There would also be 12 affordable housing units, two of which would be three-bedroom units, that would satisfy current Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) regulations. There would be 10 senior housing units that are limited to owners who are 55 and over; there would be no limit on the number of bedrooms for each senior housing unit.
The plan also includes 1.75 parking spaces for each one-bedroom unit and two spaces for each two- and three-bedroom unit. Additionally, every unit will have at least one garage and a driveway suitable for an oversized car.
There was little discussion about the new zoning among members of the council and administration, and the zoning ordinance passed on first reading Monday night by a vote of three to one. Council members Dwight de Stefan, Mark Bromberg and Denise Sieg voted in favor of the new zoning while Council President Glen Jasionowski voted against it. Councilman Noel Matos, who had previously expressed opposition to the zoning and the development plan, was absent.
Township Clerk Karen Padva said that a second reading and public hearing of the ordinance will be held at either the first or second meeting in March, depending on how soon she can notify neighboring residents.
Maggie Fazeli Fard's e-mail address is fazelifard@northjersey.com.
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