the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Teaneck NJ, after a marathon 3½-hour meeting featuring 29 speakers, the Teaneck Planning Board has decided to postpone the approval of its 143-page master plan draft until at least September 16. The meeting, held in the library basement, was marred by technical glitches including failed connections and interruptions to its virtual and telephone broadcasts. Compounding the issues, many residents reported trouble accessing the master plan document on the township’s website.
A major point of contention during the meeting was the draft section designating six properties as areas in need of redevelopment (AINR). Among these is the 256-unit, six-story apartment complex under construction at 329 Alfred Ave. by Malas Development. The building, covering a 6.9-acre block, will feature 38 affordable housing units, a swimming pool, a fitness center, and a two-level parking garage.
Margaret Baker, a resident living across from the complex on Decatur Avenue, voiced strong opposition. “You have created a nightmare,” she said. “I have to have the lights on all day, I get no sunlight. One hundred cars coming out onto Decatur are going to be a living hell.”
Another contentious issue was the municipality’s Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program, which provides tax incentives for redevelopment projects. Under PILOT agreements, developers are exempt from traditional property taxes and instead pay the township a percentage of the project’s annual gross revenue. The township retains 95% of this fee, with the remaining 5% going to the county. Residents criticized this program, arguing it allows developers to avoid paying full property taxes, thus impacting municipal revenue.
Ron Schwartz expressed frustration with the PILOT program, stating, “The developers get a free ride of taxes. The residents of the town have repeatedly and consistently and loudly said we don’t want AINR. Our town is not a slum.”
The draft also included a proposal under Land Use Recommendations Goal 3 to permit cannabis use in certain locations. This sparked mixed reactions. Greg Maria Morris supported the idea, noting the financial benefits of cannabis businesses, while parent Emma Horowitz urged the board to reconsider this proposal. “I think it would be best if we could strike this paragraph and revisit it at a later date,” Horowitz said. “I just don’t believe that this is part of this vision statement that we could all agree upon as people who want to see our children grow up with healthy coping mechanisms.”
Additionally, residents pointed out inaccuracies in the draft, such as describing the Teaneck Swim Club as vacant land and labeling a cemetery as “park and open space.” Alan Rubenstein also criticized changes to the use descriptions for the Holy Name medical center property, arguing they deviate from the original agreement.
The board acknowledged the need for revisions and has scheduled a follow-up meeting for September 16 to address these concerns and finalize the master plan draft.
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