Technical glitches, resident complaints postpone Teaneck vote on master plan

TEANECK — After 3½ hours and 29 speakers, the township Planning Board agreed to delay approval of its 143-page master plan draft until at least Sept. 16.

A variety of technical issues plagued Monday's meeting, including failed connections and interruptions to its virtual and telephone broadcasts from the library basement, and resident complaints they could not access the master plan document on the township's website at teanecknj.gov .

Residents repeatedly objected to the draft section that designated six properties as areas in need of redevelopment, or AINR, including the 256-unit, six-story apartment complex now under construction at 329 Alfred Ave., by Malas Development. The building covering a 6.9-acre township block will include 38 affordable housing units, a swimming pool, a fitness center and a two-level parking garage.

"You have created a nightmare," said Margaret Baker, who lives across from the complex on Decatur Avenue. "I have to have the lights on all day, I get no sunlight. One hundred cars coming out onto Decatur are going to be a living hell."

Residents particularly objected to the use of the municipality's payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, program to encourage the development of distressed or blighted properties. PILOT agreements exempt the developer from paying traditional property taxes during the period agreed on, instead allowing the builder to pay the township a percentage of the project's annual gross revenue.

The advantage for the municipality using a PILOT program is that it gets to keep 95% of the annual fee, with the other 5% going to the county. Under current property tax divisions, the township receives 32% of the municipal tax dollar, compared with 9% for the county, and 57% for schools. Board members attempted to assure the residents that the school district would get an unspecified cut of PILOT funds, but speakers said they were skeptical.

"The developers get a free ride of taxes," Ron Schwartz said. "The residents of the town have repeatedly and consistently and loudly said we don't want AINR. Our town is not a slum."

A proposal under Land Use Recommendations Goal 3 to permit cannabis use "in locations and with conditions that minimize adverse impacts" drew mixed reviews . Greg Maria Morris said she was "gratified" the township is "open to rezoning" and that cannabis businesses are "where the money is at." However, parent Emma Horowitz asked the board to remove the paragraph that proposes rezoning to include cannabis businesses, on Page 66 of the draft.

"I think it would be best if we could strike this paragraph and revisit it at a later date," Horowitz said. "I just don't believe that this is part of this vision statement that we could all agree upon as people who want to see our children grow up with healthy coping mechanisms. This is not something that we consider to be ideal for our town and for our children."

At least two sites were noted as being inaccurately described in the draft: The Teaneck Swim Club is described as vacant land, and a cemetery as "park and open space."

Alan Rubenstein objected to a change in the description of uses for the H-1 part of the Holy Name medical center property.

"Under terms of the settlement agreement, this section is supposed to remain single-family detached dwellings," Rubenstein said. However, he said, the use has been clarified to include mixed multiple uses. "This section needs to be amended to state permitted uses only."

The board agreed that changes were necessary and put off a vote until its Sept. 16 meeting at the earliest.

A link to the draft is posted on the township's home page.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Technical glitches, resident complaints postpone Teaneck vote on master plan