Published On October 9, 2019 » 1024 Views»
Development, Development Options, Slider, Uncategorized
Watch the full 1:49 minute video of this Forum – click the box in lower right hand corner to see it full screen
On Monday October 7, at Bryant School, Teaneck’s Northeast Block President’s Association sponsored its own Development Forum to assess the impact on resident Quality of Life of current and planned construction of high-rise multi-family rental buildings in the Town’s State Street area. More than 150 residents over-flowed the room and when asked how many supported the current development scheme, NO hands were raised. This is a video of the entire event beginning with an hour of resident presentations followed by a lively Q & A session. The audio sometimes requires volume adjustment.
What did Bill Orr say about the Forum
“We are committed to getting our voices heard.”
The above words were from Jacqui Wilson, President of the North East Block Presidents Association. This organization’s section of the township runs from Route 4 to Ward Plaza and from Palisade Ave. to Webster Ave. There were over 150 people in attendance Monday evening at the William Cullen Bryant School for a community discussion on development and the impact to our quality of life in Teaneck.
Allison Davis, a part of the Teaneck integration movement in 1964, started the discussion with personal memories of the township’s early gentrification and urbanization. Linda De Carlos Burns spoke about the economic realities of current development pointing out the numerous multifamily apartment projects completed, underway, or planned in the area. She also said her daily bus trip to NYC takes 2 hours each way.
Steve Savitz discussed the effect of not following our Master Plan on the quality of our life. He pointed out that Teaneck Planner Richard Preiss, who promoted these recent projects, in his later impact study on State Street indicated significant disadvantages of these new apartments. Savitz also questioned the study’s fiscal impact of anticipated revenue from developers because it lacked a “best case – worst case” scenario.
Councilman Henry Pruitt spoke out from the audience about the residents’ unhappiness over these projects, saying, “You have an opportunity to vote for a council candidate in the upcoming May election who supports your point of view. We can stop 100 State Street and the Plaza.” Separately in a communication of August 1 he wrote about concerns over “traffic congestion and pedestrian movement in the area.” “It’s time to take another look at the town’s ability to moderate property taxes through multifamily development.” “It’s not too late to follow the existing Master Plan and reduce the proposed density in the neighborhood and preserve the quality of life in the State Street zone.”
Concurrent with this event was a scheduled council meeting which was cancelled because it lacked the needed quorum of four members. Councilwoman Gervonn Romney Rice spoke briefly as did Planning Board Member Howard Rose. Gloria Wilson and others were eloquent and forceful over the need for activism. The audience had an opportunity to ask questions and raise their concerns. The ubiquitous Chuck Powers took a video of the entire meeting which should soon be available here.
To understand the issues better, important documents to read are the Teaneck Master Plan of 2007 and/or the most recent re-examination of 2017, and the July Preiss State Street Impact Study.
The poet and journalist William Cullen Bryant born in 1794 wrote about a beautiful township where the “dwellings have a pleasant appearance often standing by themselves in the midst of gardens.” He also said, “Truth crushed to earth shall rise again.”
