the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Oradell NJ, Two properties in the borough of Oradell are being eyed for new housing, one that would bring age-restricted housing to Kinderkamack Road and another that would give a face-lift to a downtown building along with new apartments. But only in New Jersey could the husband of the mayor buy a property and then have it immediately re-zoned for high density housing and no one blinks an eye.
“They are sitting there vacant and it’s ugly for the town,” said Tom Didio, owner of the two Kinderkamack Road properties….Didio, a longtime resident of the town and husband of Mayor Dianne Didio, said he’s owned 387-393 Kinderkamack Road for about 20 years and owned 505 Kinderkamack Road for about two years. ( https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/oradell/2021/02/01/developer-wants-55-plus-housing-oradell/ ) Democrat Dianne C. Didio, was re-elected for a four-year term as Mayor of Oradell.
387-393 Kinderkamack Road the 5,500-square-foot building would be rehabilitated with a “whole new skin.” It would remain commercial on the first floor but get five apartments on the second floor, where there is now one. The building once housed Panico Hair Salon. One apartment would be designated for affordable housing,
The 505 Kinderkamack Road property would become age-restricted housing for residents age 55 or older, with 10 two-bedroom units and 10 one-bedroom units. The building would have an elevator and full basement. The 11,000-square-foot former AAA building on the site would be knocked down. The 505 Kinderkamack Road property would have three affordable housing units.
For me this is called hypocrisy double standards the zoning should NOT be changed for anyone’s favor
Hay there only so much land in oradell , think before you do.
There is no land in Oradell unless you encroach upon the watershed.
Let’s hope Suez doesn’t sell any land. to these carpetbaggers.
I am
Interested
You don’t know about these projects. 55 and older housing and COAH is great for the town. Asking all the neighbors.
Really enlightening article! Come on now! So now just because a mayor’s husband is developing the property you are saying that he cannot get the same treatment as any other developer would? He’s following the rules and applying for the variances as per the law. Honestly the old AAA building and the Panico building which have been empty eyesores for over a year now can use some face lifting and development to become productive ratable for this town.
The same old stale ideas about preserving everything in its old 19th century glory has gotten us into this predicament where our taxes are doubling every few years. I have a novel idea, the same folks who want to preserve everything historic in this town including the Panico building, the AAA building, the Blauvelt mansion and the Water Works building should start paying the taxes on these properties and pay for the preservation of these properties because most of us are sick and tired of paying for someone else’s views both literally and figuratively. These all old historic preservation folks are the loudest in town and so they have gotten their way for way too long. The people who are for the progress and development of this town have to raise their voices in unison to get heard and persevere. We shall prevail.
Really enlightening article! Come on now! So now just because a mayor’s husband is developing the property you are saying that he cannot get the same treatment as any other developer would? He’s following the rules and applying for the variances as per the law. Honestly the old AAA building and the Panico building which have been empty eyesores for over a year now can use some face lifting and development to become productive ratable for this town.
The same old stale ideas about preserving everything in its old 19th century glory has gotten us into this predicament where our taxes are doubling every few years. I have a novel idea, the same folks who want to preserve everything historic in this town including the Panico building, the AAA building, the Blauvelt mansion and the Water Works building should start paying the taxes on these properties and pay for the preservation of these properties because most of us are sick and tired of paying for someone else’s views both literally and figuratively. These all old historic preservation folks are the loudest in town and so they have gotten their way for way too long. The people who are for the progress and development of this town have to raise their voices in unison to get heard and persevere. We shall prevail.
Well the mayor’s Husband owning the property has made me uncomfortable, what bothers me most is knowing all those “empty buildings” are because the rents were raised beyond long-term tenants ability to pay. If you want your building empty you can make it happen.
Sadly, when we replaced our unsightly black top / grass and driveway with beautiful Cambridge pavers, I wasn’t allowed to keep out existing driveway due to zoning laws. So not fair.
Follow the money. Oradell will soon resemble something different, entirely, mainly for the benefit of developers and politicians. Those who grew up there or moved there for its current charm, begone. There’s land to develop and money to be made and those in power often cannot help themselves. Change agents do so under the guise of “progress” but everyone knows, if you follow the money the answer lies at the end of the trail of breadcrumbs. When residents start suggesting the Blauvelt Mansion be knocked down, the end is near for this quaint little town. Opening your arms for CareOne’s and catering halls is the beginning of the end. Beware, folks: one day all evidence of your life—and the lives of your loved ones—might end up facing the wrecking ball or carelessly backloaded into a dumpster, too.
This article strikes a chord. I’ve been feeling that something isn’t right since reading the mayor’s husband’s comments in the Record. When he called he an historic building “ugly” it should have sounded an alarm. Change is near.
Everyone that walks through quaint downtowns marvel at old buildings and the years gone by. “Look at these shops?!” and “Take my picture by this old store!” are phrases heard in historic districts that have done it right. That won’t happen in Oradell. There is nothing to protect the borough from itself. You’re going to see all the old buildings torn down or bastardized and then tenants come and go because there is no plan.
They’re trying to put a modern, Chip /Joanna Gaines’ cruise ship in place of Cool Beans at the expense of an entire neighborhood on Maple Ave. The same thing is happening or has happened on Birchtree, Oradell Ave, and Grove Street.
Just wait until Oradell is unrecognizable. Then you’ll hear people lament, “Remember when?…”
RE: Jennifer
It is unfortunate that you feel that way. While I wholeheartedly disagree with your sentiment, I will only address the misinformation in your post.
“He’s following the rules.” Absolutely. I think what people are questioning is whether those rules were altered via the Master Plan with his wife, the mayor, at the helm. It is important to understand the process here. When did the conversations start regarding the redevelopment plan? While the mayor recused herself often, I’d like to know the exact timeline when that began and the discussions for redevelopment began.
“Our taxes are doubling.” They are certainly going up, but they are not doubling. They are going up in almost every municipality. Drive through Paramus and you will see why they have managed to keep taxes low. They’ve knocked all of the charm out of their Borough at the expense of progress and taxes.
“These all old historic preservation folks are the loudest in town…” They are not all old. They are young with families, as well. I have read the comments on Facebook and listened to the Zoning Board meetings. These folks are real people with young children, grown children, no children, and want their way of life preserve. They do not want overdevelopment at the expense of Oradell’s past.
Here is something that you should understand: they want progress, too. They want thoughtful, planned, and manageable progress that pays attention to Oradell’s roots. There is no reason why Oradell cannot adapt, reuse, preserve, AND progress at the same time. Preservation is often the safest path to strong economic growth for main street America.
Where is the parking??? We sat quietly, listening to the proposal and specs a few weeks ago when they were delivered by the attorney for the old Cool Beans building at a board meeting. Aside from the crazy-gaudy facade and rear balcony overlooking residential properties, pretty much everyone wanted to know WHERE THEY WERE PLANNING TO PARK THE CARS. The answer? A more-than quarter-mile walk to behind the Calabria’s Pizza strip mall. Or, simply use the valet, who would be parking cars behind the library–another near quarter-mile trip. This plan, inevitably, will lead to the erosion of Maple Ave and Center Street. But who cares about them, right? If we can have our Kinderkamack wedding venue then to hell with the neighbors!
Parking Answer Revealed!
The Mayor and Council have the answer. They are trying to pass an ordinance that will eliminate the need for parking for a restaurant. Right now there are restrictions on parking. If this new/modified ordinance passes, the parking question is moot. They don’t have to offer parking services or a plan. Ridiculous!
What does that mean for the Mayor’s husband’s property? His space can now be a full-fledged restaurant, as well. People need to start reading the materials that come from the mayor’s and council’s office(s). Start asking questions. Start realizing this is all connected. The council has a few individuals that have interests in land use. When land use questions come up, and their own self-interests are at play, they are faced with a decision to make. My hope is that they choose ethics.
Remember, the fish stinks from the head down.
Re: correcting jennifer
Fear mongers are all abound here and they have a lot of time on hand too. “Correct” as much as you want but just twisting facts doesn’t mean you are “correct”.
1) he is following the rule but they changed them? Really so why didn’t you all gather and vote them out of office? Because they changed it for town’s good and everyone voted in favor of that to re-elect mayor in-spite of all the misinformation.
2) taxes haven’t really doubled? During my years in town my taxes as well as most other people’s taxes have doubled every 10 years. If yours haven’t thats amazing, may be time to have your homes reassessed and share our tax burden.
3) the historic preservation is all good on paper but anyone can see what the end game is for the rotting mansion with broken windows. It will be bought out by county for pennies on the dollar and Oradell will lose $200,000 / year on taxes because county doesn’t pay taxes to towns. How do you suggest we recoup that for decades to come?
4) here’s what you need to understand- its a shame that this town shuts everything thats in favor of change. I live on a main road and there’s traffic at all hours in front of my home and I am ok with it and you also need to be ok if you buy a house near a main road or a firehouse or a train track or near a school to deal with everything that comes with it. Owners have a right to follow rules and ask for variances and in the end “make money”. Thats America and Capitalism folks. Too bad many of you are ok to see buildings rot and fall down before you acknowledge that something needs to be done.
I hope that correct the “corrections” or misinformation that you were spreading. I do want to hear your suggestions on improving financials of our town? Is the only option is to stifle growth and improvement?
Also I never said that I was for a wedding venue so stop making things up people. I am all for a nice restaurant at the cool beans location and redeveloped panico as well as AAA building. While we are at it knock down the rotting Blauvelt mansion and the waterworks building unless historic preservation folks want to put their money where their mouth’s are and pay for its restoration. Talk is cheap folks, to come up with a plan and execute is expensive and thats what you are missing.
Miss Jennifer, you’re being silly and casting wide nets.
Taxes do not “double every few years” as you originally stated. Please check your tax record and do the math. My taxes have gone up a bit over the last five years. I have bought into this town for its schools and its Rockwell-like feeling. I know you’re frustrated, but everyone is paying their taxes and helping our Borough. Even me!
I didn’t say he hasn’t followed the rules. He’s followed the rules as they have been set up. I would be interested, as I said before, in seeing a timeline of events. It seems strange that three land use people, as someone else stated above, are on the council.
You can make these outlandish claims all you want, but Historical Preservation has been proven many times to help struggling downtowns. Short-term projects like restaurants do not, if not done in concert with a better plan that incorporates an historical context/slant, work well.
You seem to be thinking very myopically. “I want change, and I want it now! These old folks are stifling me!” Well I, too, want change. I will say it again and again. I just want it done tastefully and with a long-term plan in mind. Having people suffer at the expense of change so some people can get dinner doesn’t seem right. I don’t live on Maple or even near there, but they are my neighbors.
Those people based their home purchases on 120+ years of knowing there has never been that sized restaurant adjacent to their properties. They should have expected that to change? That’s like saying you chose to live on a main road with traffic and now you’d be ok if it turned in Route 17.
This system isn’t broken. It’s working just as people intended. You will get your way. You’ll see the restaurant at the expense of your neighbor’s happiness and you’ll see the Blauvelt knocked down for more ratables. What you won’t see is a decrease in taxes, silly Jennifer.
Aww! Too cute but as usual you conveniently never answer the real question cause not smart enough to do so or cause there isn’t an answer? How do you suggest we recover $200,000 /year of tax loss we would incur from the eyesore mansion? Also how helpful is it if cool beans becomes the same? The roof already caved with snow 2 weeks ago and it would likely be a 🔥 and safely hazard for the same neighbors too now.
Why don’t you run for the mayor or council? Now I know you won’t answer so I will uncle. You won’t because you know that the historic preservation talk isn’t going to win you any votes because its stupid talk. Most people are struggling to pay high taxes and mortgages on their properties while new ratables are being denied by people like you in the name of “preservation”. Only thing getting preserved is your nimby point of view.
Also continuously insinuating about the whole council, mayor and other committees is childish of you. If you have any proof be a man and bring it forward and pursue it thru the law. If anyone is corrupt prove it and if not shut up.
Its obvious you aren’t able to understand numbers so for the third time, my taxes have doubled every 10 yrs here and yes taxes do go down a bit if assessment stays same and the rate goes down. You won’t know that because you are in your preservation bubble which is about to pop. Enjoy your day and I am over and out to make my tax monies to pay for “your”quiet town. 😊
Downtown is a pretty ideal place for “high density” housing (although these projects hardly qualify to be in that category). Wait until developers take over all the low vacancy office buildings across from the mansion. Maybe Emerson and Oradell can work with developers to create a new state of the art train station along with their live/work/play development in the middle of the two towns to replace the current train stops which exacerbates the car traffic in both towns. While they are at it, create a public walkway/bike trail along the golf course and reservoir further connecting the two towns rather than the stretch of multi-lane car centric portion of kinderkamack.
Regarding the 55 and older bldg. will there be handicap accessible apartments with stand alone showers and 36 inch doorways and other accommodations for the occupants?