52 PAGE PLAN OFFERS BREAK WITH THE MEADOWLANDS’ PAST

Download Redevlopment Plan

The Borough Council unveiled the first draft of a long awaited Meadowlands area redevelopment plan tonight – a plan that promises to move North Arlington into a new era of  responsible development that will break the borough’s decades-long financial ties to the processing of trash, said Council President Richard Hughes.

 The first draft of the plan – which has been in works for months – was presented by planner Susan Gruel of Heyer, Gruel & Associates.  The draft plan targets redevelopment of the Meadowlands portion of the borough; the site of the once controversial Cherokee-Porete housing project – commonly referred to as the EnCap development, which has now been abandoned after the developer declared bankruptcy.

 The draft document, formally known as the Amended Porete Avenue/BCUA Redevelopment Plan, was prepared in consultation with Councilman Hughes and Councilman Steve Tanelli. The amended plan focuses on attracting commercial development to the old Porete Avenue industrial area and points east.  The Porete Avenue/BCUA Redevelopment Area (the “Area”) consists of approximately 120 acres. The borough has sought to redevelop the Porete Avenue area since 1992 and has amended the redevelopment plan in 1999, 2003 and 2005.

 Hughes says this latest redevelopment effort is coming at the perfect time as the specter of the EnCap development has faded and economic revival is in the not too distant future.    

 “We worked with the planner and shared with her our desires for what we believe is acceptable redevelopment that will provide a continuing  source of tax revenue for the borough and jobs for our residents,” said Hughes. “Ms. Gruel has outlined a very far reaching, but I believe very sound and realistic proposal that will guide the borough’s economic future.”

Hughes said the draft plan recognizes the proximity of the Meadowlands area to major transportation and commercial areas and is geared to capitalizing on those assets. “The land on Porete Avenue and beyond is valuable and it is time for the borough to reap the benefits of that value.”

 Tanelli said the draft document represents and important psychological step in getting the borough beyond the chaotic years of the proposed EnCap development

 “Now that we are finally clear of the EnCap disaster, and all the turmoil that it brought to this community, we can finally concentrate on appropriate development of the Meadowlands,” said Tanelli. “We traveled a long road to get here, but I am glad we are finally talking about the future of North Arlington in a very positive way.”

 Tanelli said he was impressed that Gruel went beyond offering basic redevelopment parameters and took the extra step of naming specific concept uses of the sites within the development area. “This is not a pie in the sky plan. It’s a realistic plan.

   The 52 page draft plan focuses on three major categories of development in the Meadowlands area Light Industrial, Warehousing and Distribution and General Business and Professional Officeswhich could be phased in over the 30 year life of the plan. The draft document, according to Gruel, is consistent with the redevelopment plans of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. 

The draft document outlines ten specific redevelopment options under the three major development categories. They include:

• Wholesale establishments
•  A Data Center – A centralized repository for the storage,management, and dissemination of computerized data
• Research laboratories
•  Flex space – A low rise structure with high ceilings containing an open floor plan that can be modified to accommodate individual needs of its tenants
•  Self-storage facility
•  A film Studio
•   Indoor and outdoor Commercial recreation,

 The plan also seeks to encourage the use of innovative techniques to reduce the impervious coverage created by development and to utilize “green” building standards and sustainable design techniques to the extent feasible.

BethlehemSteel & BCUA Sites

Two major areas of redevelopment concern for the borough are  the

Bethlehem Steel and BCUA Transfer Station sites. The NJMC  is in the process of  purchasing the sites from the Cherokeecompany and will sell the land to the highest bidder. Obstacles to developing those sites are poor access, and contamination, says Gruel.

Hughes said it is critical for the council to have a plan in place for those sites before they are sold by the NJMC. “We must be able to tell the NJMC what we want and what we think is acceptable for the future of our community,” said Hughes.

Gruel’s document notes: “The Bethlehem Steel Site contains approximately 41.2 acres. There is one existing structure on the site, a wastewater pumping station built in 1996 located on the southern portion of the site.”

 “The BCUA Site contains approximately 30 acres. The property is irregular in shape, with frontage along Schuyler Avenue. The site contains the former BCUA Transfer Station which has been out of operation since 2002 . The existing structure on the transfer station portion of the property is approximately 35 feet high and contains approximately 166,000 square feet of floor area.”

Gruel’s concept plan for the Bethlehem Steel site recommends the development of an industrial campus setting. “The plan proposes eight (8) buildings ranging from 49,000 to 66,000 square feet in floor

area with accompanying parking and loading spaces. The buildings front along an internal roadway that runs parallel to the Conrail Kinglsand Branch rail lines and terminates in cul-de-sacs on both ends. The internal road way is bisected by a second roadway which connects Porete Avenue and the internal access road to Baler Boulevard which leads to Belleville Turnpike.” Gruel created two concept plans for the BCUA Transfer Station  site. Both concepts make use of the existing internal driveway that connects to Disposal Road. “The first concept utilizes the same footprint and foundation as the existing 170,000 square foot structure. The intent of this concept is for the area to be occupied by one  user such as a modular home manufacturer or other space intensive user and allows space for outdoor storage in the rear, a showcase area at the entrance to the

site, two loading areas and required parking. “The second concept has been subdivided into three lots containing a building with 60,000 square foot floor area, two (2) loading areas with 20 spaces each and the required parking per building. This option is typical of smaller food distribution centers, data centers and other flex space uses. Both concepts seek to maximize the available space on the site at the base of the ridge. Hughes said the draft redevelopment “offers the mayor, the council and the planning board much to chew on. There are a lot of great ideas and some obstacles to overcome, but the plan is undoubtedly a far reaching window on North Arlington’s future.”

The Council President added that public hearings will be held on the plan shortly. “We want the people who live in the borough to give us their ideas and to share in the vision of North Arlington’s future. It’s not just my town and it’s not just my vision. It’s a vision of the future we all have a share in.”

“MOMMY AND ME BAKING CLASSES

Still Time to Register for Basketball Camp

North Arlington, NJ,  July 7, 2010 –  Registration for the girls and boys soccer camp is now underway at the Youth Center on Legion Place  behind borough hall. Parents can register their children any time between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The camp is open for children from ages 9 to 14 and  will be held from August 9 through August 13.  The registration Fee is  $50.

 “Mommy and Me Baking Classes” are held every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Youth Center – Registration $10 per session.

  Registration is still ongoing for the North Arlington Summer Recreation boys and girls basketball camps. The boys camp will begin on July 12 and run through July 16. The girls basketball camp will run the following week from July 19 – 23.  

 Both the boys and girls basketball programs are open for children from ages 8 to 14 and coached by Michael Kraft and the Recreation  Department staff at the high school.  Registration costs $80 and includes drinks and T-shirts.  Children must bring lunch for themselves. Registration for the camps is now taking place at the borough Youth Center on Legion Place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The girls basketball camp will run the following week from July 19- 23.

Both the boys and girls basketball programs are open for children from ages 8 to 14 and coached by Michael Kraft and the Recreation Department staff at the high school. Registration costs $80 and includes drinks and T-shirts. Children must bring lunch for themselves. Registration for the camps is now taking place at the borough Youth Center on Legion Place.

Councilman Chris Johnson left with the "Pothole Killer" fixing streets in North Arlington

 The latest in road repair technology – the Pothole Killer — will be on loan to the borough from the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission on July 2,6,7, according to Councilman Chris Johnson. The Pothole Killer is an advanced, truck-mounted unit operated by one person that allows potholes to be repaired in minutes using biodegradable materials. Johnson said the borough will not have to pay for the manpower to operate the truck, only the raw materials needed to fill in potholes, which he estimates to be about $900. The Department of Public Works has mapped out a list of the streets in most need of patching, said the councilman.

“The Pothole Killer is a great piece of technology that will allow us to repair streets where potholes are a problem,” said Johnson.

The councilman said that although the initial pothole locations have already been mapped out, he said that residents whose streets need pothole repair call borough hall.

“If we can take care of a residents’ concern now we will; if not, I am sure will have access to the equipment again and we can fix more potholes in the future,” said Johnson.

The Pothole Killer was developed by  Patch Management of Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. 

Want to Report A PotHole? Go To:  Report A Pothole

North Arlington, NJ, May 14, 2010– The borough has received a $460,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the Phase 3 of the Ridge Road streetscape improvement, announced council president Richard Hughes.

The grant originated with money the state received under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The next phase of the Ridge Road project will extend from Harding Avenue to Hendel Avenue. Included in the scope of work are new sidewalks, Belgium block curbing, installation of Victorian-era decorative lighting, resin benches, decorative trash receptacles and brick paving between the curb and the sidewalk.

Councilman Joseph Bianchisaid the grant comes at a good time fort the community. “The goal of the administration is to invest in upgrading the community and propping up property values and if we can do that at no cost to local taxpayers it’s a home run,” said Bianchi, Hughes said the borough could award the contract for the streetscape work as early as this week. “We want to get this project moving as soon as possible and continue the beautification of Ridge Road,” said Hughes.

The councilman said the work could start as early as mid-to-late June and should take a little more than a month to complete.

If you sustained losses or damage from the March 12th, 2010 storm
you may be eligible for disaster aid

To register, call:
1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

When you register for disaster assistance please have the following available:

• Social Security Number (including spouse)
• Private insurance information, if available
• Address and zip code of the damaged property
• Directions to the damaged home or property
• Telephone number where FEMA can reach you

For the speech and hearing impaired:
TTY: 1-800-462-7585
Or register online: www.fema.gov

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, contact FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) TY: 800-462-7585. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.

With the signing of a multiyear agreement between the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and Environmental Logistics LLC to reopen the NJMC trash baler in North Arlington, Council President Richard Hughes said: “This contract agreement represents a great opportunity for the borough to stabilize its taxes going forward from 2010 and into the future for next five or six years while the borough plans for its future.”

Hughes thanked the NJMC for working so quickly this year to get an agreement with Environmental Logistics, after previous attempts to get proposals from companies seeking to operate the baler failed to produce an adequate bid.
“The NJMC, and executive director Bob Ceberio, recognized the urgency with which action needed to be taken to help North Arlington create revenue to fill the budget hole we are grappling with,” said Hughes. “I applaud the NJMC’s ability to get the baler negotiations done so quickly. This is a tremendous help to our taxpayers.”

Hughes said it will take several months to get the baler operational, so the financial impact on the 2010 budget will not be as great as it will be next year. “We still face hurdles in the 2010 budget, but the baler host fees and free trash dumping will help us. The real impact will be felt in 2011.

Councilman Joseph Bianchi said the baler reopening “provides a reliable stream of revenue to the borough for the next few years as we emerge from some difficult financial years. The financial future of North Arlington is brighter today than it was yesterday.”

The borough will receive a $2 a ton host fee for every ton of trash processed at the baler. In addition the borough will receive free trash dumping, which will save the local taxpayers more than $600,000. In year three of the agreement the borough get an additional 25 cents per ton for each ton over 1,000 tons of garbage processed at the baler.
“We don’t want the borough to be in the garbage business forever, but right now, in this down economy, we have to avail ourselves of every resource we have to keep a lid on taxes,” said Bianchi. “This agreement will help us do that.”

Councilman Jon Kearney said with the baler open, the borough cannot relax on its obligation to create a redevelopment plan. “The NJMC bought us some time to implement a redevelopment program and start generating revenue from other sources besides garbage, ” said Kearney.

The following statement was issued by Mayor Peter Massa on the signing of a new agreement to open the trash baler in the meadowlands

“I want to thank the NJMC for working to help resolve one of the revenue shortfalls that North Arlington has faced. Having the trash baler re-open is a help to our taxpayers at a time when we face massive and unwarranted cuts in state aid. But let’s not fool ourselves. This is temporary relief and what the borough needs is a long term revenue solution.

“I stated last year and I will reiterate it today, the borough must take control of its redevelopment future now. We can no longer live hand to mouth hoping and praying that the NJMC finds a way to provide revenue for our community.

“We have to chart our own redevelopment course independent from the NJMC and we need to do it as soon as possible. We started on the path to independence last year with the hiring of the expert planning attorney Joseph Maraziti, who has repeatedly encouraged us to take charge of our own redevelopment destiny.

“I urge the council to work with me to create a redevelopment plan, with several options for redeveloping the meadowlands within the next 60 days and present the plan and its options to the people of North Arlington.

“We need a transparent redevelopment process that allows for the input from the public and we need it to move quickly so we can take advantage of redevelopment opportunities that may emerge in the coming months.”

Michael Tetto director of the girls softball leagues  appeared at last night’s council meeting pleading for more fields and arguing for the need for lights on the Alan Park field to make more playing time  available to borough youngsters.

Council President Richard Hughes acknowledged the lack of fields for baseball and softball in town and suggested that a special meeting be held to hear residents concerns about putting lights on the  Alan Park field.

“There is undoubtedly a problem with the lack of fields and I would like the girls softball association to make their case directly to the people living in the Alan Park neighborhood,” said Hughes.

Hughes said the lights will have to be strictly controlled so as not to interfere with the neighbors’ quality of life.

Several options for creating new fields were discussed last night, but none of those options will materialize before the start of softball season next month.

Councilman Joe Bianchi said the borough is looking at creating a field near the  H & M  warehouse property at the end of Porete Avenue. Additionally the borough has applied for  federal grant for  potential field development north of Zadroga Park on Schuyler Avenue.

Bianchi and Hughes noted that one of the problems with the lack of playing fields rests on Bergen County’s decision to close two fields in county park along river road. Hughes said the fields fell into disrepair and became “substandard.”

“When those fields close, it really hurt our community,” said Bianchi

The county should get to work immediately upgrading those fields, added the councilman. He noted the borough pays -$3.27 million in county taxes last year and an additional $180,000 in open space taxes.

“We should be getting more from the county for our tax money,” said Bianchi. “There is no reason, with all the money the county is taking in between taxes and open space and recreation fees that North Arlington should lose two fields in County Park. It’s a disgrace.”

Councilman Steve Tanelli said even with lights at Alan park, the larger issue of providing enough facilities for our youngsters still remains. “I’m not necessarily opposed to adding lights, but that won’t solve the overall problem, a lack of fields to practice and play on. This town has needed fields for years and unfortunately there is little open space outside the meadowlands to build fields.”

Tanelli said the lights on Alan Park will help the teams play longer, but they won’t increase the space needed for softball and baseball teams to practice,  “The bottom line is we need more facilities and the money to pay for them,” said Tanelli.

Mayor Peter Massa suggested that the borough negotiate with the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission to have the agency build a field for the borough.

“There are acres upon acres of land in the meadowlands that could be used for ball fields to meet the growing demand for outdoor recreation for the children of this community,” said the mayor. “We should be talking with the NJMC now.”

Mayor Massa said he will be talking to County Executive Dennis McNerney to reopen the fields in county park. “I plan to find out if we can get those fields upgraded and in operation as soon as possible,” said the mayor