WEST NEW YORK – Opponents of a controversial 13-story building proposed for Boulevard East finally got their say in a stormy public session before the West New York Zoning Board of Adjustment on Jan. 22.
The project, called Meridia Le Boulevard, requires 20 significant use variances from the city for height, residential density and other factors.
The Capadagli Property Company building is proposed for 5509-15 Boulevard East, currently zoned for three-stories and occupied by a former auto repair store. The project would consist of 157 units and would create 160 off-street parking spaces.
Opponents claim the project is too large for the neighborhood, would add more cars to an area already short of parking spaces, would block views of the New York skyline, and limit sunlight.
Armed with their own attorney and development expert, as many as 50 opponents to the project spent more than four hours in the first round of public comments trying to derail the project.
In legal bickering that sounded as intense at times as a criminal trial, the attorney representing the developer attempted to undermine the alleged facts presented by opponents.
Capadaglia built on Park Avenue
This is the second project constructed by Capadagli in West New York. The first was on Park Avenue, and opponents tried to highlight some of the problems the first project had, including fines and work stoppages.
The Zoning Board itself has come under fire from anti-development activists in the past because one of its members voting on the merits of this and the previous project is also a sitting member of the West New York Parking Authority, which reached a deal with the Park Avenue project to provide parking.
The Parking Authority canceled the contract late last year because the company failed to comply with some provisions of the deal.
Capadagli has also come under fire from political opponents of Mayor Felix Roque because of its alleged involvement in a political action committee that is expected to dedicate funds to the reelection of the mayor. Many members of the Zoning Board who are to vote on Capadagli’s project were appointed by Roque.
Four hours, however, was not enough time to hear all the public comment. The Zoning Board voted to continue the public hearing at a meeting scheduled for March 26. – Al Sullivan