For 10 months, literally hundreds of residents and neighbors turned out to voice their opposition to the proposed 68-unit residential rental building at 100 State Street. But on Thursday 12/5, the Teaneck Board of Adjustment in a meeting where citizens had no opportunity to comment or question, 1) the Developer’s Attorney Wendy Berger delivered her 18-minute summation, 2) the Board chair and viee-chair both explained why they would vote to approve the application; and 3) the Board of Adjustment Board without an additional word voted 6-1 for approval. The 26-minute video which follows captures the entire proceedings:
The media discussion of this meeting and result is found for the Record at (click here). Bill Orr’s summary found at his Blue Teaneck Facebook and found below:
There is no joy in the North-East. Those in opposition were struck out.
The Board of Adjustment hearing on the 100 State Street multi-family apartment came to a crashing end with a 10-second vote. Board Member Monica Honis, a former Teaneck Councilwoman, issued a resounding “NO.” Six other members voted “YES.” The project was approved.
The vote was preceded by a summation argument from the developer’s lawyer Wendy Berger. Her comments, often repetitive, added last-minute new information which at that point could no longer be contested. She spoke about the perceived benefits of the project but failed in enumerating the harms, as required by law. She emphasized how the developer had increased parking spaces, which Chair Jan Meyer had earlier said would lead to a favorable vote from him. Meyer recused himself from voting after effusively supporting the project. Little or nothing in Berger’s speech referred to the other 10 variance which were far more significant, including the number of units, height, and lot space for which the site is currently zoned.
Steve Savitz, Co-President of East Votee Neighborhood Association, said, “What was totally incorrect in Ms. Berger’s summation, among other issues, was her dismissive attitude toward the over 200 hundred people of the North East who protested this development. This verdict will likely open the floodgates to higher priced, luxury apartments overcrowding the Plaza.”
Savitz continued, “On the positive side, the north-east community and others in Teaneck came out in force over the past year to express their concerns. They now are more aware of how development is managed in the township. The community understands the influence and role that certain council members have on selective development in the Plaza area.”
Before the meeting when asked for a comment, the developer’s enigmatic statement was, “Lord have mercy upon us.” That sentiment might well be appropriate for the disappointed opponents. Nonetheless, they are gearing up to oppose a much larger multi-family proposed apartment – a 15-story building in the Plaza.
See below a photo of Steve Savitz raising high a poster
