Why would a municipality want to designate property IT OWNS as in need of redevelopment?
Teaneck’s Council has provided no reason whatsoever WHY it wants to do so — but immediately below the City of Trenton explains it this way in advising those who might want to buy City-owned property.
So – is the WHY for this new effort to designate two properties in need of redevelopment to keep both the not-favorite potential bidders and the public in the dark? First, let’s remember the history:
In fact, Teaneck has for 5 decades been putting off decisions to exercise proper stewardship of its 1600 River Road – “Recycling Center – property and to make long-term decisions about the location of its DPW yard.
In this century, after having decided to create a $4M capital project to rebuild and rehabilitate the property, it added only the salt shed and several very small projects, and then decided to for take back the funding when it reworked management of its debt in 2012. But the issues really begin in the early 1960’s as is clearly seen in the following letters from the Township Manager Schmid already struggling with the DPW location issue:
In December 2016 Council did Discuss the Issue at length, — and then – nada……
The full 12/7/16 minutes can be seen by clicking here (and at the end look for the presentation on the apparently endless – and fruitless – search for a new location for recycle facility).
But here are the full minutes themselves:
PRESENTATION
DPW Yard/Maintenance Shop Manager Broughton and Mr. Preiss presented the attached presentation pp. 16-60 click here
Mr. Preiss, Township Planner, further discussed his study of the DPW and that no locations in the Township were suitable for the relocation of the DPW; the possibility of retaining the current DPW location; discussed the feasibility of relocating the DPW Yard and Maintenance Shop to various locations in the Township and issues concerning the proposed locations.
Manager Broughton also discussed a 2006 conceptual plan undertaken by Mr. Dave Hals of Schwanewede Hals to try and fit the Maintenance Shop at the DPW Yard. Mr. Wilson, DPW Director, discussed Mr. Hals’ proposals outside of the flood plain area.
Mr. Preiss spoke about the wetland buffer line prior to Superstorm Sandy and it was possible that the flood plain line may be more restrictive at this time. He further discussed the environmental constraints for the DPW Yard and suggested the undertaken of an engineering and environmental study as to whether or not such plans were possible.
Deputy Mayor Pruitt asked about the height of the DPW Yard. Manager Broughton responded that all buildings in question are one story in height.
Councilwoman Romney Rice asked about whether or not concerns remain respecting contaminated areas.
Mr. Wilson advised that lead found at the DPW Yard was cleaned up several years ago prior to the installment of the salt shed.
Councilwoman Romney Rice asked about the suitability of other development given the location of the County’s sewer line at the DPW Yard.
Mr. Preiss believed it may be possible to accommodate buildings in the area and recommended Council undertake an investigation to determine what could be built and where it could be built.
Councilman Schwartz spoke about the value of the DPW Yard and the Teaneck Road DPW Maintenance Shop; did not believe multi-family housing would be feasible on Teaneck Road; suggested meeting with the owners of the Haluba property to discuss options; believed this was an opportunity to build a new DPW facility while returning the waterfront to the residents; and proposed a future motion to ask Mr. Preiss to conduct monetary calculations for the DPW Yard and Haluba property.
Mr. Preiss responded that the key was to review the engineering and environmental issues as they would affect whether or not they would be used for residential or the DPW yard.
Councilman Castle echoed Councilman Schwartz’s sentiments; asked why the Township has not looked seriously into strategically placing the Township’s DPW resources around the Township; referenced Deputy Mayor’s Pruitt question as to a large volume and footprint of single-story buildings rather than two story buildings with a garage to shrink the DPW’s footprint.
Manager Broughton referenced a discussion with Mr. Wilson wherein they concluded it was not a good idea to spread resources around the Township as it would create a supervision problem; discussed the need for State approval for the current DPW location; believed that the discussion of relocating the DPW Yard was overdue 1965 and action was needed due to the flood plain line; and recommended maintaining the DPW location at 1600 River Road.
Councilman Sohn discussed the feasibility of some of the proposed relocation locations as presented by Mr. Preiss; did not believe the current DPW yard was a viable location to retain the DPW Yard; and asked that the recommended locations be further studied that Mr. Preiss provided in his presentation.
Manager Broughton suggested reviewing the proposed locations and deciding their feasibility, tonight. Deputy Mayor Pruitt referenced various traffic issues in connection with the Haluba property and recommended maintaining the current DPW Yard location at 1600 River Road.
Mayor Hameeduddin believed Council did not have enough information to make a decision this evening; referenced Hoboken’s flooding issues; the potential for the Hackensack River to become a superfund site; and believed a developer could develop the location in ways Council was not aware of; discussed the issues involved with feasibly relocating the DPW Yard; the need for Council to hold additional discussions prior to making a decision; and determining what the current DPW Yard was worth.
Mr. Wilson thanked the Manger and Council for having him present at tonight’s meeting; discussed his employment history with the Township and the DPW; and discussed the need for action to be taken in remediating or relocating the DPW Yard given the current working conditions.
Mayor Hameeduddin asked if it was worthwhile for the Township to develop the DPW Yard as an asset or for a potential developer to develop the Yard as an asset.
Councilman Castle spoke about his concern with the working conditions at the DPW Yard; spoke about his military experience with temporary work sites; and questioned the feasibility of having a temporary worksite for the DPW.
Deputy Mayor Pruitt wanted to exhaust possibility of maintaining and fixing the location of the DPW at 1600 River Road and believed there was a possibility to use the current design and add a second story to the DPW Yard.
Mr. Preiss spoke about the need tonight to determine where the 1425 Teaneck Road Maintenance Shop would be relocated to; recommended relocating the Maintenance Shop to the DPW Yard in a single development; and the need to determine through an environmental and engineering analysis as to what to decide to develop at the current DPW Yard.
Mayor Hameeduddin asked Mr. Preiss to provide an estimate of such a study.
Mr. Preiss responded that Alfred Avenue was a similar environmental analysis and discussed what such an analysis would yield. He provided an estimate of $20,000-30,000 based on two engineering studies of Alfred Avenue.
Mayor Hameeduddin asked if this process could begin and whether such funds were available to undertaken same.
Manager Broughton responded in the affirmative and added that such funds were available.
Mr. Wilson discussed the history of the DPW Maintenance Shop relocating to 1425 Teaneck Road facility; detailed the divisions of DPW located at 1425 Teaneck Road;
Mayor Hameeduddin believed the current action Council should take was to move forward with the study.
Mr. Preiss spoke about the possibility of utilizing 1425 Teaneck Road for 21 senior housing units.
Councilman Schwartz posed his suggestions for additional affordable senior housing units.
Mr. Preiss discussed the need to have a certain amount of parking spots per unit within the Township.
Councilman Schwartz discussed additional properties in the location also for sale and asked if an underground parking deck could be constructed at 1425 Teaneck Road. Mr. Preiss responded that it was not feasible to place underground parking based on the size of the acreage of 1425 Teaneck Road.
Mayor Hameeduddin stated that there was no alternate to relocate the DPW Maintenance Shop at this time.
Councilman Sohn suggested undertaking an engineering study on 1600 River Road and other viable options; suggested Mr. Preiss also conduct a yield analysis on finalist properties that were not selected as viable for the DPW Yard to determine what other uses they could be utilized for; suggested utilizing Alfred Avenue; and discussed water issues at 1600 River Road.
Mr. Preiss discussed the Haluba location being the only viable option to relocate the DPW Yard.
Councilman Schwartz asked Manager Broughton to speak to owner of Haluba site to obtain pricing parallel to the engineering study and to gauge his interest in selling said property.
Councilman Schwartz made a Motion to authorize a study for engineering on the DPW Yard up to $30,000. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Pruitt. Councilman Castle asked to find out what would be included in the feasibility study not to exceed $25,000 for such a study with the study’s contents by December 13, 2016. Mayor Hameeduddin stated that Council was not voting on paying for the study and asked for a scope of work on said study.
Mr. Preiss stated that he will reach out to two consultants and they can provide proposals and scope and such a deliverable would be at least a month away. Councilman Schwartz made an amendment to his motion to pursue this proposal pending Council’s approval on the scope of work and a timeline. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Pruitt. Vote Yes – Councilman Castle , Councilwoman Romney Rice, Councilman Schwartz, Councilman Sohn, Deputy Mayor Pruitt, Mayor Hameeduddin.
