Franklin Lakes to Decide: Massive 495-Unit Cigna Property Development Heads to Public Hearing
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — A major turning point is arriving for one of the most significant pieces of real estate in Bergen County. The long-anticipated development proposal for the 89-acre former Cigna corporate campus has officially been submitted, with the first public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, at 7:30 p.m.
The transformation of the site at 400 Parsons Pond Road (formerly occupied by IBM and Express Scripts) has been the subject of over two years of intense negotiations and legal planning.
What’s on the Table: SHG Franklin Lakes Plan
The applicant, S. Hekemian Group (SHG), is seeking both preliminary and final site plan approval for a high-density, mixed-use community. According to the borough’s official “Latest Buzz” newsletter, the “Residential Option” includes:
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495 Multi-Family Units: A mix of 433 market-rate townhouses and luxury residences.
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62 Affordable Rental Apartments: Integrated into the site to meet state-mandated housing obligations.
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70,000 Square Feet of Retail/Office Space: Designed to create a dynamic, walkable neighborhood.
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Open Space & Trails: The developer plans to preserve roughly 18 acres of natural space and expand existing trail networks.
The Alternative: The “Federal Use” Option
While SHG is currently moving forward with the residential-heavy plan, an alternative “Federal use” option remains a possibility. This secondary plan would reduce the housing to 250 units but introduce a 330,000-square-foot warehouse/office space intended for federal agencies. Both plans include a donation of 3.5 acres to the borough for a separate 65-unit 100% affordable housing complex.
Why It Matters to Residents
The scale of this project represents a significant shift for the quiet, suburban landscape of Franklin Lakes. Recent local concerns have touched on:
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Environmental Impact: Ongoing asbestos remediation on the property has drawn scrutiny due to its proximity to Woodside Avenue School.
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Infrastructure: Residents have voiced concerns regarding traffic on Parsons Pond Road and the capacity of local schools.
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Affordable Housing Mandates: This project is a cornerstone of the borough’s strategy to satisfy New Jersey’s “Fourth Round” housing obligations.
How to Get Involved
The Planning Board hearing is open to the public and offers a chance for residents to view the proposal firsthand. For those wanting to dive into the details before the meeting, the borough has posted nearly 2,700 pages of site plans and supporting documents at franklinlakes.org.
Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1931704860512551/
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Tags: #FranklinLakes #BergenCounty #NJRealEstate #AffordableHousing #NJPoli #CignaSite #PublicHearing
ruining the town
What made the area such a nice place to live will now be its downfall due to our sh+=tty politicians!
Time to move to a red state.
I say go with the second plan
So where is the tax relief for residents. What do they get out of this. That’s what the council should be defending and fighting for with these developers. What about the BD property, isn’t that FL also??
Now there is fear mongering that ICE warehouses will be built.
ESL classes will need to be available in the schools… who will pay for that