A. Citation of selected relevant Township and related decisions
The Greenbelt – What is it?
Since the development of the Township’s first Master Plan in 1933, the Teaneck’s governing body, statutory land use and other boards and commissions have regularly supported the preservation of the tree-lined open space corridor along State Route 4 – its Greenbelt – and have worked to acquire and protect largely publicly-owned land along Route 4 stretching from the Englewood border to River Road, using taxpayer funds and with the assistance of the State of New Jersey.
How have Teaneck Councils described it and its purposes:
Resolution 118-87– in response to highway plans deemed detrimental to the Greenbelt
Resolution 254-91 – again, in response to highway plans deemed detrimental to the Greenbelt (same as 285-84)
Council affirmed that “Since the highway was constructed in 1931, the Township has preserved the Route 4 greenbelt for its intrinsic beauty and to symbolize Teaneck’s self-image as a residential community which safeguards against commercial exploitation of its open space. The 1933 Master Plan and succeeding planning and zoning have adhered to this principle and reaffirmed this objective.”
Resolution cites Greenbelt 251-91
Resolution 331-03 – again in response to evolving highway renovation plans
Resolution cites greenbelt – 331-03
Resolution O – 8/16/2011 In response to a Master Plan Re-exam calling for 2 hotel zones on the Greenbelt
Resolution O – Council – 8-16-2011
How have Selected Teaneck Master Plans described the Greenbelt:
1992 Master Plan – likely referring to the 1987 Council resolution 118-87 (see above)
“The following historic [8] sites which have been designated by Township Council and which are listed by National and/or State Registers are included in the Master Plan by listing and by identification on the attached map, Plate 32”
“The Route 4 Greenbelt deserves special mention since it is a linear district involving public land. The Land Use Plan continues to support a zoning pattern which will not place undue pressure on the Greenbelt, which could occur if nonresidential zoning or development were encouraged.”
Greenbelt in 1992 finalMasterPlanAmend
See Teaneck Library Reference Room for full Master Plan
2007 Open Space & Recreation Plan (OSRP) incorporated into the 2007 Township Master Plan, the Township’s most recent full MP
“Open space and recreation have been important to Teaneck since the early 1930s when the Township’s Master Plan recognized the benefit of establishing a greenbelt along the new State Route 4. This greenbelt presently runs along both sides of Route 4 and offers a quiet buffer of trees and green-space to residential neighborhoods that hug the Route 4 corridor.”
“Teaneck has always had an interest in open space and aesthetic beauty. It is the only town along the State Route 4 corridor that does not have any commercial development. Rather, the Township and the State of New Jersey have created a greenbelt/buffer area.”
(Note: This OSRP lists 127 separate Block and Lots specifically defined as “Route 4 Greenbelt”, among which are the specific Block (4102) and Lots (26.01 and 27) now proposed by the 2017 Master Plan Re-examination for Self-Storage/Office Building rezoning.
Greenbelt in 2007 final OpenSpace&RecPlan
Chronology of Other Recent Official Body Actions Describing and Supporting Preservation of the Greenbelt – gathering momentum today.
4/19 2007 -Bergen County Historic Site Survey – Historic Site #0260-59
“It is probable that the Teaneck Route 4 Greenbelt district is eligible for listing on the State and National registers of Historic Places due to its importance as a cultural landscape in the statewide context of Metropolitan New Jersey.”
2013 Environmental Resources Inventory Update – Teaneck Environmental Commission and the Land Conservancy of NJ – initial 2 sentences in its Executive Summary:
Conservation of natural resources has been important to Teaneck Township since the early 1930’s when the Township’s Master Plan recognized the benefit of establishing a greenbelt along the new State Route 4. This heavily-wooded greenway runs along both sides of Route 4 and offers a quiet respite of trees and green space that adjoin the Route 4 corridor. (Note, on June 21, 2017 the Teaneck Environmental Commission approved a resolution opposing the rezoning of Block 4102 to allow a Self-storage facility on the Greenbelt which it considers to be protected Open Space)
2014-16 The State Historical Preservation Office– took three steps in order to achieve full national historic district protections for any federal highway undertaking covered by Section 106 and to find the Greenbelt eligible for NJ and National Registers of Historic Places (March 2015, September 1, 2015 and September 13, 2016) Note: on June 20, 2017 the Teaneck Historical Preservation Commission approved a resolution to be sent to the Township Council recommending that the Township pursue listing the Greenbelt on the National Register of Historic Places for which it has been declared eligible.)
SHPO Opinion – 2015The Teaneck Route 4 Open Space Historical District (Teaneck Route 4 Greenbelt)
MOA 9-2016 on Route 4 Bridge over Palisade
