The developer of a multi-unit housing development slated for the site of the now-demolished Sier-Bath gear factory have met with residents recently to go over the details of the proposed project, but some residents are still skeptical that the project will fit into the character of the neighborhood.
Carter Sackman, representing Sackman Enterprises of New York, and Trip Brooks, representing Orleans Associates, arranged the public meeting with 70 concerned residents at Town Hall last week.
Sackman and Brooks presented the plans to the proposed 273-unit residential development on the 1.5-acre property on 91st Street and Kennedy Boulevard.
The developers arranged the meeting so those residents who had concerns and complaints could directly address them.
The proposed plan, called “The Orleans,” would feature three six-story buildings, offering a total of 273-units, 96 of which are studio apartments, 126 one-bedrooms and 51 two-bedrooms. The plan also calls for two sub-level parking structures that would facilitate 354 vehicles.
The project will not feature any low-cost or low-income housing. However, the units are expected to be rentals and not condominiums.
Local activist Rocco Arciola, who has been a diligent defender of the neighborhood’s rights, especially in terms of environmental protection from the former toxic site, offered his concerns to the developers.
“I think the structure is a nice building, for New York,” Arciola said. “It’s not right for the Sier-Bath site. Such a project would result in many cars being brought to an already overburdened area, in which traffic problems have not been resolved. This development would cause even more of a parking and traffic problem. The sewer system in the area is inadequate and the entire project would impact an already overburdened school system.”
Other residents issued concerns about parking as well, saying the project would also limit the amount of public street parking. It is already a concern, considering that many of the residences in the area have driveways.
Township Administrator Joseph Auriemma, who presided over the meeting in place of Mayor Nicholas Sacco, thought that the meeting was fruitful and informative.
“The potential developer was there and outlined what was being proposed to the residents,” Auriemma said. “The developer is simply interested in purchasing the property and then offered the plan. By law, he didn’t have to do that. He just had to register for an application from the Planning Board, then go before the Planning Board to receive approval. But this showed the commitment the developer has to meet with the residents and discuss the concerns.”
Added Auriemma, “I think the meeting was productive, because it allowed for a lot of misinformation to be cast aside.”
Auriemma agreed that the parking situation has to be addressed.
“I think that the developer has also agreed to go back and look at the parking situation, before they go on to the Planning Board,” Auriemma said. “No other issue made me change my mind to believe that the project is not good for the area. It’s not even a question.”
Auriemma believes that the architecture of the development will fit the character of the neighborhood.
“In my opinion, it’s going to upgrade the neighborhood,” Auriemma said. “There used to be a factory there. Now, with this project, the value of their homes will go up. We’re finding a viable, applicable use of the area and it’s meeting the criteria for urban development.”
The developers will come up with a site plan perspective to present to the Planning Board.
Although the residents still offer their concerns, the plan will continue. Once the property is purchased and the developers get the application for development, the Planning Board will begin public hearings. Auriemma is hopeful that the process will begin very shortly.
“I hope it’s done within the year,” Auriemma said. “I think most of the objections in the past were predicated on misinformation. I don’t think the opposition is as strong as it once was. You’ll find that a bulk of the residents of the area are for the development.”
The development could be a financial windfall for the township, if it is approved as planned. Right now, the township receives approximately $80,000 in tax revenues from the site. If the estimated $13-to-$15 million development goes through as planned, the township could receive an estimated $600,000 more in tax revenues annually.
One obstacle is a pending lawsuit, filed by resident Eugene McCrohan, which states that the township illegally changed a zoning ordinance last April to allow development on the site. That case could be heard in court next month.