Developer The Hekemian Group Eyes BD Headquarters Parcel as Town Fights to Avoid Losing Control Over Housing Mandate
the sstaff of the Ridgewood blog
FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ – A potential game-changer in the ongoing battle over New Jersey’s affordable housing mandates has emerged: The Hekemian Group has reached an agreement to acquire a massive 60-acre parcel of the Becton Dickinson (BD) corporate headquarters campus off Route 208 for the purpose of affordable housing development.
This unexpected land sale injects a new and large site into the Borough’s contentious Fourth Round housing compliance efforts, just weeks before a critical deadline.
The BD Site and The Hekemian Factor
On December 9th, the Borough received notice that The Hekemian Group (SHG Franklin Lakes LLC) had struck a deal with Becton Dickinson (BD) to acquire 60 acres of the 128-acre headquarters property.
While a concept plan has yet to be submitted, Hekemian is already asking that this significant land parcel be included in the Borough’s Fourth Round Affordable Housing Plan. This new site comes as Hekemian is also the developer behind the redevelopment of the 89-acre Cigna property two miles away, illustrating their heavy involvement in shaping Franklin Lakes’ future development.
High-Stakes Legal Deadline Looms
The notice arrives at a fever pitch in the Borough’s compliance negotiations. Franklin Lakes is one of 16 New Jersey towns, including six in Bergen County, that the Fair Share Housing Center (FSHC) has targeted for being critically behind on their Mount Laurel obligations.
The risk is severe: If Franklin Lakes does not comply by the December 31st deadline, it could lose its immunity from builder’s remedy lawsuits, effectively surrendering control over where and how affordable housing is constructed.
Mayor Charles Kahwaty emphasized the balancing act:
“Franklin Lakes is committed to voluntary compliance with its Mount Laurel obligations… That said, the Borough intends to comply in a manner that is consistent with the Borough’s long-term planning vision, which does not include overdevelopment or overburdening infrastructure and services beyond municipal capacity.”
The Borough is currently negotiating with another objector, Trelia Franklin Lakes 1, L.L.C., which is proposing 46 new homes (including 9 affordable units) on Pulis Ave., a dispute joined by the FSHC.
The Compliance Crunch
Franklin Lakes’ court-set Fourth Round obligation includes a “present need” of 65 units and a “prospective need” of 480 units. However, the FSHC has challenged the Borough’s plan, contending that the initial vacant land calculations indicated no new affordable homes were required.
With the town also joining “Local Leaders for Responsible Planning” to legally challenge the affordable housing law itself, the introduction of the Becton Dickinson site adds a massive, immediate variable to an already complex and legally tense situation.
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Soon Route 208 is going to look like Queens NY…
How much is affordable housing In Franklin Lakes, they’re building low income, housing and expensive North Jersey towns. They might be able to afford the housing, but they can’t afford the town. It doesn’t drive. That’s like taking a family out of Maywood, which there’s nothing wrong with the town like Maywood, but you don’t bring them to Beverly Hills. Or a town Alpine to you how do you fit in? I don’t know.
I know talk about 208. Look at Fairlawn, they’re jamming housing up everyone’s ass. The town is turning into a real shit hole.
FairlawnIs turning into one shit hole of a melting pot. Looks like North Patterson or East Hawthorne . Why would anybody waste big money in that town to buy a home? Fat ass likes it.