A Hidden 10-Acre Forest in Wayne Was Supposed to Be a School. Now, It’s Becoming This
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Wayne NJ, While “overdevelopment” usually means high-density apartments in North Jersey, a new proposal for a long-vacant wooded tract in Wayne, NJ is taking a surprisingly traditional turn.
A local real estate investor is moving forward with plans to transform a 10-acre parcel—owned by the Wayne Board of Education for over half a century—into a private cluster of single-family homes.
The “Schinman Tract” Transformation
The property, located at 145 Valley Road, has been under school board ownership since 1971. Originally purchased for $300,000 via a voter referendum to build a new elementary school, the land remained an “unimproved” forest for 54 years.
Now, contract purchaser and Wayne resident Akash Sheladia has filed an application to subdivide the site, known locally as the Schinman tract.
What’s Being Built?
Unlike the high-density projects seen recently between Berdan Avenue and Hamburg Turnpike, this proposal focuses on lower density:
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Total Lots: 8 single-family homes.
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Design: A cul-de-sac extension of the existing Stagg Road.
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Lot Sizes: Ranging from 0.33 acres to a sprawling 4.5 acres.
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Sale Price: The school board authorized the sale of the land for $1 million in July 2024.
A Departure from “High-Density” Trends
This project stands out in a climate where state affordable housing mandates have led to hundreds of new apartments across Wayne. This “Stagg Road Extension” offers a “detached home” alternative, even as the National Association of Home Builders reports a 6.9% national dip in single-family starts due to ongoing affordability challenges.
Legal Hurdles and Next Steps
The project isn’t without its complexities. In late 2025, the Board of Education resolved to sue neighboring property owners who have allegedly “encroached” on the wooded tract over the decades.
What happens next?
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Department Review: Planning and Zoning officials are currently reviewing the subdivision application.
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Public Hearing: Once deemed complete, the proposal will face a public hearing (likely several months away).
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Construction: Pending board approval and the resolution of encroachment issues.
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Looks like Eastern Europe.
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