photo by Boyd Loving a sign of things to come ?
Neighbors fear proposed Ho-Ho-Kus subdivision might worsen flooding
AUGUST 2, 2014 LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
HO-HO-KUS — Residents who live near a proposed subdivision said they are worried the development will change the look of the neighborhood and might exacerbate flooding problems near their homes.
Six homeowners spoke out this week against the project, dubbed the Hollows at Ho-Ho-Kus, which proposes dividing 4 acres into 11 single-home plots.
“This is literally in my back yard,” Brandywine Road resident Anthony DiGiacomo told the Planning Board, before bemoaning a proposed 7-foot-tall retaining wall in the plan.
“You never expect that a 7-foot-high wall may be built behind your house,” said DiGiacomo, a resident since 2001, adding he fears a proposed stone trench drawn into the plans will disturb the root systems of trees on his property.
The parcel — currently the site of a large building with some accessory structures — is located at West Saddle River Road and Hollywood Avenue, extending to Van Dyke Drive.
“My initial reaction to the plans was that it appeared to be an awful lot of homes in a fairly small area,” said DiGiacomo. “This neighborhood is a beautiful area of Ho-Ho-Kus that I feel is being threatened.”
The DiGiacomos are one of the nine couples who have hired attorney Robert Inglima to oppose the subdivision on the basis that it would change the character of the neighborhood, as well as disrupt a “natural drainage” system that has been at work in the area for some 60 years.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/neighbors-say-flooding-is-an-issue-1.1061220#sthash.NBner1BA.dpuf
Typical ‘nimbys’.
The only reason this project is before any town board is that the developer wishes to skip installing sidewalks.
The number of homes is allowable by current zoning so they are not asking for any special treatment or variances.
The ‘neighbors’ like to enjoy someone else’s property that they do not own, and they like that neighbor’s property tax contributions too.
If the developer was smart, he would just put the sidewalks in and get the project built.
Me wonders if this was written by the developer’s attorney. Not the first time a comment like this has appeared.
Yes, it kind of reeks.
#2= you’re wrong.
No I am not the developers’ attorney.
Just a long time resident tired of hearing from vocal a-holes that move into an area and want everything their way.
The owner of that property has every right to develop it within the current zoning and should do so.
What ever happened to property rights of the taxpayer?
He should put in the sidewalks and build the 11 lots.
If the abutters make too much noise, he should go for a builders rememdy lawsuit and give them 200 units of affordable housing.
this is not good for hohokus. the rain run off will be a problem. and for 11 homes, no way. maybe 4 ,I wish one person would buy the land. any one know how much.
Hohokus apparently never had a problem collecting real estate taxes from the property owner based upon an evaluation that would allow that owner to abide by the current zoning.
If homes are built that are keeping rainwater on the property, there is no difference from what is presently there.
I could see an uprising if the developer asked for higher density zoning than is currently allowed, but that is not the case here.
Its typical whining nimbys.
#6, so why doesn’t the developer withdraw his request to zoning board, and just put in the sidewalks that are required? typical whining nimbys? typical whining developer? maybe both
Isn’t this subdivision right off of the Saddle River and not the HHK Brook? Pretty sure this won’tplay such a big part of the flooding along RHS stadium.
#7, the developer, being cheap (as most are) prob didn’t realize that trying to save a few bucks on concrete would stir things up.
Its good advice. Withdraw the request. Put in sidewalks. Problem solved.
The nimbys have zero right to spot zone it to suit their wishes.
If you purchase a property next to a large or undeveloped tract, why would you expect it to remain that way unless its conservation land?
The way NJ bleeds landowners in taxes, I’m surprised every vacant lot doesn’t have a spec house on it.
did the mayor get his car out. hummmmmmmmm.
I lived in HHK for 15 years with enjoyment of peace and privacy which I earned to have. Unfortunately over that time the density of the east side of town actually doubled because of the combined greed of the town officials & realtors, along with the narsistic bunch of younger people moving in. Gone is the class and manners of being benevolent to your neighbors. So 8,000 sq. ft ugly monstrosities are allowed to be built so the new breed can show off and the town officials can raise ratables to pay for pensions. Gone is the peace and quiet and class that once was a proud staple of HHK. I moved out and am glad to be gone. I commend those poor people fighting to retain the character of their homes; I chuckle at the arrogant jerks who think malevolence of a single property owner should trump the benevolence of their neighbors.
And I hope from the bottom of my heart that those arrogant show-offs who build these ugly overdone structures on a single acre continue to work very hard for many years to pay taxes that I hope continue to rise as high as they can. I’ll be sitting relaxing with a cup of coffee and newspaper every morning with a smile knowing these jerks are working hard long days to pay their high taxes and fund my entitlements! Enjoy the next 30 working years you morons.