on the Bolton board in the lobby of the municipal center. The notice of this special meeting resolution number 26-157 has been sent to the record suburbanite northern valley news. It has been posted on the bolton board in the lobby of the municipal center and the burough
website. Salute to the flag, please. Omar, can we have a roll call, please? >> Council member Corsair >> here. >> Council member Dayton >> here. >> Council member Jackson >> here. >> Council member Michaels >> present. >> Council member Dr. Okconor >> here. >> Council member Roleri. >> Mayor Zenna >> here. Okay. Okay, the first order of
business tonight, we're going to do a proclamation recognizing Mary Patino retiring after uh 10 years of service to the burrow. Round of applause for Mary. Uh we have a proclamation and Susan Curado, our CFO, is going to read the proclamation to Mary. You sure don't
want to stay Mary a little longer. >> We'd love to have you. >> Good evening, Mayor and Council. Whereas finance assistant Mary Patino has been an employee for the Barrel of Tenant Fly for 10 years, starting her employment as a part-time accounts payable clerk on
April 18, 2016. And whereas Mary demonstrated from the outset a strong work ethic, integrity, professionalism, and a deep understanding of municipal finance, earning the respect of colleagues and leadership alike, leading
to her advancement to a full-time finance assistance assistant on October 1, 2017. And whereas her attention to detail has played a vital role in ensuring accuracy and efficiency to the finance department and the burrow as a
whole, contributing significantly to the sound fiscal management of the community. And whereas through the years she has served as a trusted colleague, always willing to help and support those she worked with, leaving a lasting positive impact on others. Now
therefore, be it resolved that on behalf of the mayor and council of the Barrow of Tennifly, we hereby recognize and honor Mary Patino for her dedication, contributions, and outstanding service, and we extend our sincere gratitude and
best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement. >> Thank you, Susie. One more. Thank everybody for the opportunity to work for the burrow of Tennifly and I greatly appreciate it and I wish all my
colleagues and friends the best of luck and I will miss them all. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Resolution 26-164 introducing the 2026 municipal budget. U Councilwoman Dr. Julie Okconor, would
you like to make the motion? I'll move to adopt resolution 25-164 which introduces the 2026 municipal budget and set the hearing for May 5th, 2026 at 7:30 or soon thereafter in the council chambers of the Tennifly
Municipal Center for the hearing on the adoption of the 2026 municipal budget. >> Have a second, please. >> Omar, could you please call the role? >> Council member Corair. >> Yes. >> Council member Dayton. >> Yes. And thank you to Susan and her team for the budget.
>> Council member Jackson. >> Yes. >> Council member Michaels. >> Yes. >> Council member Dr. Okconor. >> Yes. >> Council member Roer. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, next item on the agenda to be considered is 123-145, the Dean Drive redevelopment plan
update. Wendy, could you just uh frame up what we're doing tonight and then the public meeting two or three weeks from now? >> Absolutely. Um, so last week at the planning board, there was a review of the proposed amendment of the redevelopment plan. As the public may be
aware, there is an existing redevelopment plan at that site. What is being proposed this time and is a is an amendment um to make a change from assisted living to allow for residential. It still includes the hotel component. Um, but I I'll let them do
their presentation in a moment. Uh, so tonight there will be a presentation. We'll also be considering as a council the introduction of an ordinance, which is how you adopt zoning, which is what a redevelopment plan is, including an amendment to a redevelopment plan. Um,
at a future uh council meeting, there will be a second reading of that ordinance, assuming that it's introduced tonight. And at that time there will be a public hearing on the ordinance itself. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. Um
Conrad Rancati >> or who's doing the who's doing the presentation? >> Okay. Attorney at Clearary, Jacobe, Alia, and Jacobs represents the proposed redeveloper.
>> Hold on a second. Let's make sure the microphone's working. >> Yeah. >> Is that better? >> Or take it right out. >> How's that? That seems to be better.
>> Okay, go ahead. >> What we have in in front of you is a request to amend the redevelopment plan. Just quickly, uh this has been a project that's been evolving over the past six months. Cure Companies and Camson have
entered into a venture. They've entered into contracts to acquire the two parcels of property along. Uh during that period of time, a tremendous amount of diligence has been done and a proposal was circulated to
amend the redevelopment plan. That amendment resulted in the uh ten your mouth. Okay. uh resulted in the Tennifly Planning Board reviewing an amendment last week and recommending that the amendment is
consistent with the master plan. What happened was in 19 uh the governing body uh recommended that the area be studied. In 20 it was declared an area need of redevelopment. In 22 a redevelopment
plan was created. Nothing happened. Now you have a group that wants to make something happen. So, I'm going to be quiet so you can see it and I'll turn it over to Mr. Ron Cotti. We have our whole group with you as much as you want to hear. Architect, engineer, and traffic
consultant. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Face face um face the public. Yes. >> To the public. And then uh grab the microphone that's working and use that one. Just keep it close to your mouth.
>> No problem. Just for clarity for the council, we are presenting the same presentation that we presented on February 11th. So we're dated it's dated February 10th. I believe it was the 11th. >> Okay. I can make it any higher. I'm sorry.
If you have the presentation, you can put it up on the screen. >> Move it back a little. So that Can you put it on that table? >> Put it on the table. Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. >> What?
>> Why? You think that'd be better? >> No, I don't think it would matter. Let's let them get their easel adjusted. >> All right. >> Okay. >> The second page. No, I need this one over here.
>> Okay, Conrad, we ready or? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Just make sure everyone can hear you. >> Okay. Can everybody hear me? All right. >> Okay. All right. So, we're we're here today to talk about the redevelopment of the Clinton Hotel. I'm sure most of you who live in town or live in the area are
pretty familiar with it already, but it's at the corner of West Clinton and Dean Drive. Uh the hotel's been there for over 70 years, but in the last few decades, the hotel has gone a little bit into disrepair. It's not quite the pillar of the community that it was
previously. We're looking to revitalize that. We're looking to bring a new hotel to the community in addition to a multif family project that's on the site. We're talking about a site today that's the Clayton Hotel. And then it's the three vacant currently vacant parcels to the south of the south of the hotel that
extend down to the office building that's on the corner of Westerville and Dean Drive. So, we're proposing a brand new 200 room hotel. It's going to have an 8,000 ft groundf flooror high-end um groceryer on the corner. It's going to have a 6,000t bar and restaurant that's
available for hotel guests as well as members of the community. The hotel is also going to have a 25,000q foot spa and wellness facility at the basement. The brand of the hotel is going to be a wellness focused hotel. Uh to the south
of that, we're going to have a 95 unit apartment building with 19 affordable units to meet the help meet the town's co requirements. The hotel is also going to have a 15,000 foot ballroom space that's going to be able to hold up to
500 people at a at a time for events. As you can see, I know it's a little small, but for anybody who wants to see this, we have sent a copy of this to the town, and it can be made available to anybody that wants to see the details of the plan in a little bit higher resolution. So on the ground floor,
we're looking at an 8,800 ft² market, a hotel and banquet entrance on Dean Drive in the front end, a bar and restaurant that'll be in the lobby of the hotel, the hotel lobby, and then moving on to the residential lobby. So there's going to be a separate residential pore at the
south end uh to provide separation on the lower level of this property, which is going to be the next page. We're going to be building a spa and wellness facility. Uh some back of office spa, back of house space for the spaces upstairs. Residential amenities
for the 95 tenants in the residential component. And then we're going to be a half level of parking below grade and then another full level of parking below that. So on the property in total, there are going to be 600 parking spaces that are available that are going to more
than meet the requirement uh for this property and all of its uses. Uh in addition to my presentation, you're going to hear tonight from the architecture firm that created this plan. You're going to hear from the site engineer who's responsible for all the site engineering, storm water retention,
all the site planning and landscaping. And you're also going to hear from our traffic consultant who's been working diligently with the county traffic engineer to master plan the traffic for this project as well. On the second level above the ground floor retail, we're going to have an
8700 foot banquet facility with meeting rooms and cocktails. This is going to be one of the larger banquet facilities in the area and is going to be available for hotel guests as well as anyone in the community that wishes to to host an event at the Clinton. This floor is also going to have a mix of
hotel rooms and apartments. The hotel room starts predominantly in the center of the project and the residential units are towards the southernmost point. As you move up, you see there's some more hotel on the second and third floor and less residential. And then as we get
into the taller floors where the views are a little bit better and the uh you have a little more separation from the hotel amenities, the bankrupt facility, we're going to move to more apartments. There's going to be a healthy mix of three-bedroom, two-bedroom, onebedroom, and studio. So,
we feel there's going to be a strong market for these apartments. We know that there's a lot of people in the community who are looking to downsize from a home, but not quite ready to move out of the area. We're building a number of two and threebedroom units that could suit that market. We know there's young families looking to move into town who
have a hard time right now with the tight housing stock finding somewhere to live. So, we're creating an opportunity here. We're also looking at one one-bedroom and studio units. We know that there's a lot of companies, the hospital in Angwood who are looking for places to bring in
new hires, new entrance, people looking to come in and move into Tennifly, live in the community, be near the corporate pores and Anglewood and Anglewood Cliffs in Fort Le, but live in somewhere where there's a more walkable downtown, a more vibrant community, and an overall
uh more suburban way of living than some of the towns at the closer end of the bridge. As you go up, it's a similar floor plan on the fifth floor. And then on the sixth floor, we're looking at uh predominantly residences with a few hotel suites uh and then a a rooftop
pool that would be available to residential uh tenants and hotel guests. Here's a section of the project just to give you an idea. We're looking at uh residential predominantly in the southernmost part of the property. um hotel rooms towards the center and then
most of the public facing areas at the northern core of the property. We're looking to create connectivity in downtown Tennifly. We're looking to help shift the the center of the town southward to where historically it was with the Clinton in as the epicenter of the community here. So, we're looking to
keep the corner of uh West Clinton and Dean Drive as the most publicly facing part of this project. We're looking at um developing green spaces here. We're looking to keep the parking at the front end for the retail grosser so that people can in the community come, they can shop, they can leave. We're also
going to create a more pedestrian friendly environment with sidewalks along Teen Drive extending down west and then into uh east and then into West Clinton so that it's much easier for people in the community to walk between the existing downtown core and the hotel and residences at the southern end of
the town. This is a little bit of a more detailed breakout of the space. Like I mentioned, there's 95 apartments, a mix of threebedroom, two-bedroom, onebedroom, and studios. Um, there's going to be 19 affordable units inside of that mix. So,
there's only going to be 74 market rate apartments and 95 uh I'm sorry, 19 affordable units. There's going to be 200 guest rooms and a mix of singles and suites. Um, we expect the hotel to cater to a host of people. uh friends and family visiting
residences of the area, people coming into the area to have events with members of the community that are going to be taking place at the hotel. We expect that there's going to be a large component of people who come to stay who work in the community, work in Anglewood, work in Fordly, come in for
short stays, need somewhere to stay. Uh, this town and this area is in desperate need of a high-end hotel, desperate need of somewhere where people can stay, where they feel comfortable and at home, and somewhere where people in the community can feel excited to let their family members come and stay, let them
know that there's a wonderful hotel in town now that's catering perfectly to their to their needs. So, I'm sure there's going to be plenty of questions. I just wanted to make a quick run through of the of the uh details of
the plan. If anybody can't see or need this again, we can provide it. But this is uh Mount Carmel Church. This is the corner of West Clinton and Dean Drive. So, here on the corner is where we plan to have the uh retail grosser. This is where the event space and the banquet
facility will be. And as you can see, we're looking to create a greener, more walkable area along Dean Drive, as well as utilizing the back of our property, which butts up against the uh train tracks right now that is hopefully going to be turned into the a green trail to
create even more connectivity and walkability into downtown Tennifies. So, I'm going to turn it over now to my father, also, Conrad Rancott, who's the architect for the project, and he's going to go in a little bit more detail about the uh aesthetics and the design choices for the project. So just just so
everyone's aware after they're finished with all their professionals making the presentation then it'll be public comment time and whoever wants to speak and ask questions will have an opportunity to do so. We want to do it after everyone we want them to make their presentation first so
then we have a full understanding of what's going on and everyone's free to >> Oh that's fine of course. Yeah. Yes. >> Good. >> Go ahead, Conrad. Thank you. Um so Conrad Rancati I'm the project architect
firm is architectura uh located in Fortley. uh as uh my son who's been listening to me making presentations for over 30 years um did a comprehensive summary of what this
project is all about, how it's was planned, what some of the decisions that were made in formulating this plan and this design. Uh as was previously stated in the beginning, this is a modification
to the redevelopment plan. So, a project of this general scope and size had been described in the original redevelopment plan. Uh, I just want to be clear about that. The amendment that's being considered um allows for this slight
modification to uh the original plan. Uh what we have done here is uh for first and foremost combined the two uses the hotel and the multifamily into one
comprehensive structure. So previously the assisted living building uh that I believe was six or seven stories was on the south part of the property. It was not connected to the hotel. really had no purpose to be and it was considered
as two projects. Here we've decided to join the uses and the reason for that is we want the residential units to be a part of the hotel and the hotel environment and vice versa. So, we want
those people that are living here to be a part of this hotel and all of its amenities. The grocery store, the coffee shop inside, the lobby, the amenity spaces that are all shared uh in common.
Uh we also perceive this building to be an extension of the downtown. Right now, the downtown kind of ends at the intersection and then there's a hotel and there's not a lot of reason or programmatic connectivity between the
downtown and this property. We intend to correct that uh with the uh inclusion of the grocery store uh the lobby of the hotel which we see as an extension of the public spaces that are in the town.
We see that as that uh building as being an extension, a third place it's called, another place for the community to come. We would invite people even if they're not staying at the hotel to come to the hotel, come to the lobby, shop at the
grocery store, have a drink, meet friends. We want this building to be a part of the expanded fabric of this downtown. Um, so when you think back of what uh Conrad was describing as floor
plates that had both hotel rooms and residential units, you can't walk from one side to the other. They're programmatically separated, but they all come down and are conjoined at the base levels and then of course have all of
the the shared amenities. Uh he also described the parking which uh was on one of the exhibits. Um there is a considerable amount of parking that is under the building. So whereas 90% of
the parking that the Clinton in building had was surface parking or in that very small uh now closed uh dilapidated uh parking structure. Most of the parking for this project will be hidden
from site. It will be subterranean. And that is great for residents. It's great for hotel guests. Um we imagine that all of the residential parking will be subterranean in the garage, secured garage. And the surface parking would be
used by hotel guests and others that are are coming to the property. The exterior of the building uh is a mixture of uh quality materials not what we have there now uh in the
current Clinton Hotel. It's a masonry exterior that has a combination of brick blazed brick uh metal facade metal bronze panel as well as glass. We've also incorporated a lot of green into
the exterior of the building both on the facade where possible and these are the concept drawings uh of course looking south uh along Dean Street and then we also have a considerable amount of green roof and that green roof is not only for
the betterment of the building and the residents enjoyment but also provides a positive environmental impact by collecting rainwater, using rainwater and reducing the amount of rainwater uh that goes into the storm water system.
Uh we have our site engineer here today. I don't want to step on his toes, but he will be explaining to you how uh this project will improve uh any storm water condition now and actually decrease the amount of runoff. So the project in
addition to all of its programmatic uh value will actually uh have a positive environmental uh impact and a reduction of uh strong water. I think that concludes.
>> So who's up next? The engineer. >> Our site engineer. Okay. Good evening. Um, my name is Mike Dipple. Uh, I work for a company called L2A. We're in Anglewood, New Jersey. Uh, I am local. I drive by
this site every morning and then back uh when I come back home uh from Anglewood. So, I I know it very well. I know the Clinton in very well. I think I'm I'm tasked here to discuss storm water management. I think that's a a hot
button issue for all of these Bergen County towns as we see development going and things like that. And the state of New Jersey has been very active recently passing uh rules and and stuff to make sure that developments such as this
uh improve the areas around the development to make it a a net positive for everyone. And this this development would do exactly that. If you passed by there over the last couple of days, you saw some equipment out there digging some holes and things like that. We're
doing all of our testing right now, the soils and the subterranean uh layers below it in order to get our design nailed down. But essentially what it means is at at the end of the day when this site is constructed that it will
greatly reduce the rate of runoff that that this site right now generates under its current conditions. You know that the the hotel is generally kind of impervious coverage and then you have a few uh properties to the south.
Um one of them I recall the restaurant that was there uh for quite a while. Um, so we're analyzing that. We compare it against proposed conditions and we see that net benefit. So we haven't really kind of put together all the numbers of our report as we do the testing, but
that's how these things shake out. It's it's a net benefit. So we at at the current time we do not require any permits from the Department of Environmental Protection. Um we did at the beginning uh when I when uh Mr.
Ron Cotti introduced the project to me um we looked at the area looked at what was done in the past uh over at the Wells Fargo site in your downtown where the uh where the theater was removed and
is currently under construction and some of the other sites and we have now received a formal notice from the D. This just came in last week that no permits are applicable from the D. But that doesn't mean we don't get a stringent review from the municipality
and your engineers. And I see your planner sitting right here in front of me. So I know he's going to be harsh on me. Um and and so it'll it'll be a very very you know good review of all the calculations and
everything we plan to do. traffic. >> Good evening. My name is Lou Muio. Uh I've been doing the traffic analysis and the traffic work for the project. So basically, as you all know, the intersection uh has now a new traffic
signal that's been installed. Uh we've been working with the county with the with the town engineer as well uh to look at uh what is happening on the roadway. The the traffic report which is
almost done but not not enough uh for tonight basically looks at doing the we completed traffic counts uh in December and in January. Those traffic counts are at the
intersection and beyond. Um, we then look at how many new vehicles would be generated by the overall development and its individual components and how they would get to and from on and off the property. Um all of that
information uh is basically packaged up in an analysis of the intersections. How well they actually process the traffic and from the analysis itself and including the addition of the
traffic signal. There's no adverse or impact associated with the development and vehicles that are coming on and off the site. And we actually looking are looking at it as all of the vehicles are coming on and off the site during the
same time period where in reality they operate at different times, right? So if you think about the residential and you think about the hotel and the spa, they all have different peaks during the time of day and day of the week. So, all of
that is being um analyzed and shared with the county and the municipal engineer that's looking at it from a traffic standpoint. Same thing with the parking. I know we talked a little bit about the parking. Uh we looked at the parking not only
from the municipal code but also from industry standards and looking at how many parking spaces are required for each land use. But then more importantly, is there a shared parking uh uh ability between the different uses
on site just to give us a comfort level uh that again the number of parking spaces are well suited for the project. Thank you, >> Mayor. That's our presentation. So, everyone here will be available to
answer any questions that you may have. >> Okay. Yeah, Lauren, you're going to be first. Conrad, why don't you just stand up at the mic so that you're not walking back and forth. Okay. Uh Lauren, you had your hand up first. Go ahead. >> I do. First of all, thank you for the crowded house tonight. Um I love seeing
our community come out and no matter what happens tonight, your voices are so important to this process. you are the residents that come first and the balance is how do we um make your lives as our existing residents better before we have any
other interests. So if this project does not balance well with our community, this should not be passed by our council. But that being said, this is an incredible opportunity for Tennifly to redevelop a blighted landscape. I've spoken to so many residents over the
past few weeks. Um, thank you all for texts and emails and calls and Facebook discussions. And without a doubt, our community wants to do something to this land. Residents are excited for something new. But at the same time, without a doubt, every single person
that comes up to me and speaks says this is not an appropriate size. And so I want to actually delve into some of the details. uh we are not bound by the size or dimension or setbacks for the assisted living and mental health and
one of the reasons why we gave it height and density was the lack of school children and traffic and this is a different project. And so when I go back and I look at the intersections and I sit also on the planning board, um we
have now asked our traffic engineers to relay to you that the traffic study is extended to include the intersections of not only Dean Drive, but Hiler Avenue and Dean Drive, Dean Drive and Westerbelt Avenue, Franklin Street and George Street. Um and I I also would
encourage Angle Street. And the reason why I would encourage these intersections is that we have commuter buses that go through these intersections. So our residents right now, there's no train here, rely on the timing of those buses. And if each of
these intersections is delayed, you know, if Dean Drive gets delayed and it pushes everything back onto all of these extraneous intersections where the buses run, our commuters will have trouble. So I understand that the traffic consultant and maybe he wants to come back up here.
um you know said that the intersection has no adverse impact but now our planning board is asking and requiring additional intersection intersection study. So that's going to have to be before the planning board it's not going to be tonight but I want the residents
to understand that while we have residential and hotel we also need to understand how our commuters are going through our town how our school traffic is going through our town and how our buses are going through our town. So that is the first point. Um and again
I'm not sure that just studying Dean Drive is sufficient. Um I would like to also uh understand the affordable housing. I sit on your affordable housing committee. We have a proposed settlement with fair share and
our attorney can weigh in on this in which we have 20 units at this location. you are selling telling me 19 units which is one less than we need settle uh with fair share housing. This council
can do this in many ways. We can have 100 units with 20% set aside. We can have 95 units with 20 units affordable. We can have 80% um 80 units, excuse me, with 25% to make the 20 units. There are different
variations here that can balance the density of the units per acre and the affordable housing need. And so I ask, are you willing to give us back our one unit of affordable housing? >> Uh yeah, we we look, we've looked at this project. We we want to make sure
the town is capable of meeting its affordable housing commitments. We'd have to look at the specific proposal that the planning that the town and the mayor council and the planning board is putting in front of us about the you know the tradeoff between 100 to 20 or 95 to 19 or however we need to get there
but it's a discussion we can certainly have regarding the affordable >> I mean to me the only reason to pass a project of this size and density is to ensure that we are in compliance with our affordable housing needs and bringing in those multifamilies that need to be here. And by the way,
just so the public understands, these affordable housing are not senior, they're not veteran, they are family units. The purpose is to bring in families into these units. So at a minimum, I would like to see that raised to the 20 units, whatever the density of units we determine at the end. But to
me, it makes no sense to pass this if we can't satisfy that settlement agreement. Anything, Wendy, on that? The only thing I'm going to clarify is it's not a proposed settlement. It's an executed settlement. >> Even even even more pressing why we need that additional unit.
>> We've engaged our own affordable housing consultant to help us navigate this process to help us the land families in this development to make sure that we do a thorough process to make sure that this community is served. We have multiple levels of affordable housing
available inside of this development. It's a it's a big um thing internally that we've been working through and developing. So, we're more than happy to speak with the town about how to help make sure that you meet the requirements that you've committed to. >> Happy to hear that. Thank you.
>> I also I'm sorry, just to your point, you can also see how seriously we take the traffic on this project. One of the only three people or four people that have spoken tonight to offer their, you know, expert opinion is our traffic consultant. We understand the that this
is a a uh high trafficked area. We understand that it's an area that the county's had a lot of attention on because of the new traffic signal that's been put there. And we're also taking it just as seriously. And if you need us to expand the size of our traffic study to make
sure that we're not creating uh unforeseen adverse impacts in other intersections, we'd be more than happy to do that. >> And just to so you know, so we did a very old study in 1992. Believe it or not, the planning board discussed this on traffic accidents and that intersection near the hotel is was the
highest accident rate in town. So again, we are looking for >> hope of the new traffic light >> and that my point was that was without the additional additional residents and the additional nature. >> All right, you have another question. >> Yes, I do.
>> All right, one more question, Lauren, then we'll go to other council members. >> Got a couple. I'd like to talk about the parking. In the redevelopment plan that is proposed before us, the parking is 1.1 parking space per bedroom. So, if you have a senior couple that moves into this apartment and they require two
cars, they are without a second space. How are you going to accommodate that? >> Uh I'm not as versed on the specifics of how the traffic the parking the parking calculations were done. Although we have 600 parking spaces on the project, which should be enough for most residential
units to have two spaces, uh how that gets covered in the in the facility is a conversation to be developed, but we anticipate that this project is going to have more than enough parking particularly for residents who would have the first priority most cases. >> Okay.
>> All right. Thank you, Lauren. Julie, you have a question? >> Sure. Hi, Mr. Anati. How are you? Um, okay. So, I wanted to talk I you said this is the same presentation from February 10th and I'm a little surprised because I know we were giving you a lot
of questions to consider before you went to planning board but not it doesn't seem like anything was adjusted on that plan and I know we're hearing from some experts but I'm just going to bring up because the room's a little more full than last time what my concerns are.
Okay. The height for me has always been uh a concern about this property. Uh and I'd like to start with a safety question which I don't think I really uh drilled into last time. I do not believe that we have the firefighting equipment in this
town that would go that high. And would we need training for our firefighters for this type of high-rise building? speak to the mic. >> Speak to the mic. Okay, we've got it. We we
>> Okay, thank you. Let's speak into the microphone. >> So, uh this would be a type two construction building. This is not wood frame. It would be type two, which under the code is a non-combustible uh structure. There would be absolutely
no reason to have special training uh for a building of six stories. It would be fully fire suppressed, which means an automatic fire detection system throughout. Um, and there would be no need for any special fire training or
fire equipment to deal with a building like this of this. >> So, you're saying the equipment, you're saying the material that builds the building would not burn. >> It's non-combust. >> What are you building it out of? It's a combination of concrete, steel, and um
concrete and steel deck. >> So, it's not being framed up in wood. >> No. >> Okay. Um now, about the uh I'd like to drill down in exactly what are the variances if we're talking about this
redevelopment agreement. Um and Councilwoman Dayton's correct, you know, this is a a new agreement. ready. >> I just want to clarify it's a redevelopment plan. We are not a redevelopment agreement would come later, >> right? Okay. Redevelopment plan. Um what
exactly are we looking to do? I know we have the height, but is it bulk or density that is different on this property? This is what the development >> the the the main the redevelopment group that's different than it was previously
is the plan. the plan is that it went from a assisted living use to a multif family use. So the primary difference between what the previous redevelopment plan had and the this version of the redevelopment plan
has is that instead of assisted living, we are doing multifamily. Other than that, it's it has some differences. It has some planning nuances and I'm sure the town planner uh could speak to them more specifically, but for the most part the main difference is the use.
>> Now I know that um when a plan like this not an agreement plan goes uh to the planning board um the planning board is not to really consider the impact on a school. Is that am I correct in that? We don't really consider school impact.
Right. So, with I know that the residents don't necessarily uh have all of the plan in front of them, but the way just to let everyone know and please let me know if I'm misspeaking that with the mix of the three bedrooms, two
bedrooms, one bedrooms, and studios. What I did was I figured each bedroom would be a person, right? And so uh so in that way that was 188 uh bedrooms combining it with studio one
bedroom and then all the others. Okay. And so if it's 188 if it's 188 uh people uh I'm going to assume a lot of them are going to go to the school because Tennifly is the one of the more
attractive things about town is its schools. And um I know you said we have enough parking for the staff and the residents and the and the hotel guests and possibly people using the facility like the ballroom. But I do worry about
the impact to our taxpayers for the schools because it costs uh 27,000 to educate each child and about 75% of that comes from our local taxes. Now, I know that you might say that the hotel we get
an occupancy tax, but I just don't see how that could uh help our people who currently live here come out ahead if we have to pay for not only the education of the children, but possibly more DPW
and police hiring. So, I don't know if that is something that you ever consider, but I you know, if you want to speak to that. >> You don't mind. I'd like to address your first point. I I understand that you and I specifically had a very lengthy conversation last time I was up here. We talked a lot about the things that were
concerning to you, concerning the people in the community that you spoke with. And the the fact that I brought the same presentation doesn't mean that we didn't take a lot of that into consideration. I mean, just I think again to you know elucidate the fact that I we've hired a
site engineer who's specifically focused on storm water retention. We hired a traffic consultant who's specifically here to make sure that we don't create an adverse impact on the community. Uh and then we've done uh numerous architectural and shade studies to make sure that this hike is not going to have
an adverse impact. We've designed this building in a way to make sure that it's got a pedestrian friendly facade that it pushes and pulls from the street frontage. Uh as you can see here, tighter in the northern part of Dean, it's still set back from splint here.
get jobs back and forth in the residential proponent to make it so that when pedestrians and cars are on the streetscape that they don't feel overwhelmed by a building that's right up against the property that's tall and feels like it's daunting. So, we we took a lot of what you said to heart. We
consulted with a lot of our professionals about it. Um some of the things that we talked about may not show up on the condensed version of the you know redevelopment plan version of the drawings we've done but it's something that we are going to strongly work through while we get further along in the process. Uh specifically about the
school children, we consulted the Rucker 2018 study about the impact on mid-rise development specifically uh in suburban communities in New Jersey. And based on their calculations, we're going to be contributing approximately 18 children to the school district based on their
calcul. Okay. Okay. All right, everybody. Come on. >> This is the presentation. Let him speak. >> Go ahead. >> Yeah. >> All right, Max. It's enough. Let's go. Come on, Connor. Continue.
>> Uh, we've also engaged with the town's uh tax assessor to start to get an initial understanding of what the tax assessment is going to be on this project. I know there's been a lot of discussion about this. I just want to make it clear to everybody as well. We're not asking for a pilot program. We're not asking for a tax abatement.
We're not asking for any special dispensation for this project. Uh we want to make sure that we give back to the community as much as the community is giving back to this project. Um we've started speaking with the tax consultant. He's a tax assessor who's been extremely helpful in this process.
We're talking about an annual tax rate before the occupancy tax of north of a million dollars on this project, which is not a substantial amount of money for this project to be contributing to the community. So, we feel pretty strongly that this project is going to pay back the town in a way that's meaningful.
>> Okay. And I just have one more question because I Go ahead. >> Um, so, uh, you mentioned that this water retention system that would actually be improved with with this. Um, I just I have to say I was a little
surprised to hear that because if there was something that the town could have done that would have helped. you know, we have the Marboro apartments have been flooding during major storms and if there was something that could have improved water retention and I'm just
wondering why why didn't we do that, you know, like why not really sure what was done on any previously, but in in the modern developments and and modern homes and most people in this community probably understand this, the the modern way to
deal with storm water is to retain it on the property for enough time for it to dissipate into the ground so it doesn't become a burden on the rest of the storm water system. So currently most of this property is a asphalt parking lot, a building built in the 1950s and then an
abandoned lot that's some mix of gravel and asphalt. So what's currently happening is water is shedding everywhere from the property. It's not being absorbed into the ground. It's not being stored anywhere intelligently. It's just being dispersed back into the community. Now this the way most
properties were built and developed but in 2026 what's much more common and what's required in most instances is that projects retain a significant portion of their storm water so that it doesn't tax the system. What will inevitably happen is that because we're doing a better job on this project of
absorbing water and retaining it. spill over water coming down from the hill from the east hill which creates a significant amount of the flooding here will most likely be retained on the project as well just by nature of the rest of the community not having as modern a storm water retention
>> is there any storm water retention there now >> no it just sheds wherever it goes based on the trajectory of the water >> question Julie or like the you know I know there's a lot of people >> the council members have questions a
followup here. >> One followup question. We >> need more technical discussion about the storm water retention system. Mike Dipple from the L2A is our site engineer who's >> significantly more sophisticated about this topic than me and would be happy to answer it. >> So Lauren, you have a question then we're going to go to the public and and
maybe >> you have a question. >> I have a question. >> Okay. >> Couple more. >> Um >> yeah. So Lauren, let's come back. Let the other council members then we'll come back to you for sure. >> It's a follow up on something you just said. Go ahead. >> It will be a single question. I promise you. So, I'm understanding that we're
doing two underground um parking decks right under the building, the length and size of the building. So, explain to me where the water retention is going because I know in the audience, I just want to tell you, we have business owners of your surrounding property and they flood. I have seen it flood to my
knees. I have seen their first floors flood. They're here. They're very interested in this. And so, I don't need a most likely will retain. I need a will retain. Well, it speaks to a microphone. >> It it definitely will retain. There's no
there's no waiver there. >> The we're bound by the New Jersey storm water management rule. I'd love to say, you know, pat me on the back because we're doing all this for Tennifly. But not only that, but it's required by the law. I know required by the state. I I
know you know it. and we will present in front of the planning board all of the rate reductions and all of the storage and everything. Like I said, we're still we're still doing the testing out there on the soil, but there will be areas
away from the two underground eggs that will be used likely for storm water management. and you will take in consideration the properties that are down essentially down Dean Drive that exist that are currently flooding and essentially that waterway behind you which I understand doesn't connect to
anything comes up and over into the all of your land all of the acreage. Yes, it goes it goes north actually through your downtown and continues on over to Tenn
over by um the tennis courts over you have a small side soccer field fenced in over basketball. >> He's talking about what goes on to Wells Fargo and the buildings. begins at Wells Fargo, continues north, makes a lefthand
turn up past um way past uh stop and shop and makes its way over at that >> down river edge. Yeah. >> Yeah. There where we are. >> I mean the way the block and lot sorry it run your um ownership will run behind that adjoining building and so
>> that's right. So the storm owner comes up and over. So I definitely want to make sure that that in the site plan is addressed. Yes. >> Jen, do you had a question? >> Yeah, I do. >> And then John. >> Okay. Um, hello everyone. Uh, I wanted to know
I've heard of course a lot of concern about the height. Okay. And I'd like to know some more about the business case here for why we need six floors. >> Sure. So, as you can see, the the building here in
a in an effort to make sure that it has the most consistency with the town vernacular to give it the most uh seamless transition into the space, make it so that it is something that feels of the place, the the facade, the style, the brick, the metal paneling, the
greenery on the passage is one part of it, but the other part of it is the setbacks from the road. So in an effort to make sure that this intersection feels the way that it feels now is to give levity to this area, we created a parking lot that existing now on the
northern end that's predominantly for neighborhood residents so that they can finally utilize the the market. Um what that did was it set the building back on project property instead of bringing in orders. The other thing we did as you can see is we pushed and hold the
building moving backwards to also try to create some levity on field drive which is where both the developed floor plate which if we had been just developing this project specifically to maximize the property we would have brought the building out here. we could have utilized the back. We probably
would have had more of it than along the street budget, but we didn't we wanted to create a a project that fit the community better. So, in an effort to do that, but to also make sure that we can make this project work economically, uh we have a a huge investment, as you can
see, we're building a premier building in this community. We're going to be spending a considerable amount of money to bring this gorgeous project to life in in downtown Tenny. We needed to get the sixth floor in the southern part of the project so that we can thank the economics for our public to stroking the
floor and making it a more digestible project for people at the street level. >> Can we can we talk a little bit more about like the business model like the business viability? So you have the different aspects of the business. Is that something that you can share more
with the public? >> So you know this this hotel has been a hotel here for seven years. and various moments that two rep rocks right now currently has one that doesn't seem to even have one at this moment. But our intention is to create something in this community that is going to be utilized
by we're building a hotel that's not just a hotel where you check in and check out people trans. Uh in an effort to do that we created a huge ballroom 500 person of that space that's utilized by members of the community. Uh we created a ground floor
groceryer that we think is going to be a huge value ad town. We created another bar and restaurant here to add already growing bar restaurant. So we created that apartment a real need in this community for people who are looking to
move here or people who are looking to stay in the town but don't have a lot of where to go. This is going to be a highly amenitized building. town. We have very many type building, but all of our residences are going to have access to community pools, the spa and wellness
facilities, the high class fitness center, the bars and restaurants in their community. This is a project that's developed in conjunction with each other. This isn't two disperate parts. This is one combined building where residents and hotel guests and members of the community can all join
together to really appreciate what's going to be a pillar of that chapel. >> Good. All right, John, you have a question. >> So, I grew up here. I've lived in this town for plus or minus 50 years. Uh, I
remember a vibrant Clinton in I remember a much more vibrant town. Uh, and it's sad to see, you know, kind of where we are in the state of play as it relates to this site in particular. So, I am grateful to have people that have shown up to take the time, energy, effort, and
expend the resources that you people have. I'm also grateful that this crowd is here to discuss this topic. Um, what I'd like to do is to contextualize what we're talking about for several reasons. Uh, the first is nothing's being approved. This is something that would
obviously go through an extensive planning uh board review. Um this is a concept. This is a plan not an agreement. This is something that we are looking at and saying is this something as a town we think we should further explore. So I am grateful again to have this group here and to have the time and
and energy spent on this project. Uh and I think my personal view is be a net positive for our town overall. I think it's important from a context standpoint to understand that this is a property that is owned by someone and they have rights. That really will contextualize the
difference of what we're asking for here. Because if you think about what this plan or this proposal is versus what could happen by right, those are very important words. Those are by right, not ask you, not have a town, you
know, hall, not have a conversation by right. I will ask our burough attorney to articulate what it is that could be at this site as an alternative both in terms of numbers of residences of incumbencies on schools and otherwise that might be a lesser execution that we
wouldn't have nearly as much partnership uh as we might have in this project. >> So these lots are located in what is our B2 zone. Um the as of right uses in the B2 zone essentially just to drill it
down is a commercial first floor and residential above. Um I believe our planner has looked into this and conservatively if the owners of the property wanted to go as of right they'd
be looking at commercial uses across the entirety of the first floor as well as approximately 75 units of residential dwellings. They have no obligation to keep the hotel, to improve the hotel or to put a hotel there. It is an allowable use, but it is would not be a
requirement through the redevelopment process. Um, it should be noted that the redevelopment plan requires the hotel before anything else can be done. >> And just to clarify, that's a 95 versus a 75 by right. So, it's a just just to
contextualize a >> question about that. Can I introduce >> Go ahead. So, it's Jonathan Kger and I'm one of the developers on this project and I think I'd like to speak to that point. What the current owner of this
property and I and actually I'll speak to the the group here because I'm pretty confident they're >> speaking to the mic there. I'm pretty confident that the I'm pretty confident that the history of this and why we got involved will help
alleviate what I feel are a ton of concerns and a lot of anger. >> We got wind of the plans for this hotel nine months ago >> and there was nothing close to what you
see here. This was going to be turned into something that would have been a detractor to this town. It would have added no benefit whatsoever. >> We stepped in and by history, my partner Conrad, my other partner Jeff Kurt, some
of our other partners. >> I came to this town five years ago. >> I opened up the spring. I just opened up a concept called Rosto. I became the president of the Chamber of Commerce. Not because I'm some evil developer, but
because I care about this town. >> I've lost a lot of money in these ventures, but I continue because I love this town. >> When I met Jeff Curts, who helped build the Anglewood Hospital, the JCC,
coached our high school students for years on end. >> I said, "We have to save this project for what's about to happen to this town." That's the energy. That's the energy and that's the intention for which we approach this project.
As the president of the Chamber of Commerce and to this day, which you will hear from members of the chamber and members of the downtown committee, small business owners are suffering and going
out every three months. >> That's what's happening in this town. So the concerns are real and I understand that. But on the other side of this, for context, there was a whole other situation that
we could have been left with and it would have been awful for everybody. >> Our businesses, >> our businesses since the moment I took over this chamber have said one thing. Without
foot traffic, without density, we can't survive. And they're not. So, we come at this from a place of love and care for this town.
This owner had a price that was an aggressive price. We met that price. And for that reason, we had to go up an extra story. That's what it comes from. This is a
real estate development. It has to have a return on investment. >> This is not a bunch of people who don't care about this place and who don't care about this town. These are your neighbors. These are your community members. And I promise you, we invest
and spend as much if not more to ensure that we live and work and play in a great place. So I ask that you consider that in the context of all of this.
>> I have a question for you. >> Okay, Julie, go ahead. >> I have a question. Go ahead. >> The B2 zone. >> Wait, just repeat that again. >> Okay. So, so Wendy was talking for a minute of by right what they could do in a B2 zone would be 75 units and possibly
no hotel. Can you just clarify for me, Wendy? Is that also in the 75 units? Would that also be the property that they own that is the hotel? Like, are we looking at the whole thing? So, it' be 75 units
>> for this the hotel, >> four lots. >> Okay. All four. So 75 units over over the four lots, >> right? Um >> Okay. I just wanted to So it's not it's not the hotel and 75 units by right. It it they could by right, but 75 units
across the the whole >> 4.5. Okay. Just want to >> Yeah. Okay. So we're going to start here. >> Go ahead. >> I have a zoning question for Wendy. >> Okay. Then we'll go into the public. Yeah. T typically we have a what's
called an MF zone for multif family. Multif family is typically 20 units per acre or less in tennifly. That's the history of this. Um Wendy, does the multifamily zones remain on this even though we have the B2 overlay? Because
there are different density requirements and there's different setback requirements depending on the overlay zone that we use here. >> So the B2 is the the underlying zoning. It's not an overlay. >> Okay. Okay. The redevelopment plan is an overlay. There's no MF overlay over this. It was removed when the
redevelopment overlay was placed. >> And that's why the setbacks from the street can be 12 ft instead of whatever we put usually in a multifamily. Is that right? >> Well, I'm looking at the bulk tables from our code and each multif family
apparently has its own. So there's some with >> it's all over the map. >> All over the map. >> The garden apartments usually 6 to 10. The Benjamin Brothers is the densest we have. >> Yeah, but what? >> No, it has an MF uh overlay on those. >> But now remember, when you're getting
into the multif family, generally there's residential on the first floor. There can be as well, which would increase the number of units >> from the 75 that was anticipated. >> But since we passed our mixed use, we are looking for commercial and first floor residential the rest. That's a
good council. >> I I think we're mixing apples and oranges. You're asking me about different types of zonings al together. So it's hard to make the comparison >> but I just want to clarify that our multif family zone that would have talked about density and setbacks has been lifted off of this. Is that right?
>> Yeah, that has that was um removed I believe in 22 or 23. >> All right, it's time for hear from the public. Uh >> sure. Go ahead. >> I just want clarification. Uh earlier we speaking about parking.
Under the current plan, the parking for the residential is RSIS requirements. So without getting into great detail, it'll probably average out to about two spaces per unit. >> The hotel requires 1.1 spaces per venue.
>> I'm sorry. >> Thank you for the clarification. >> And we have >> It's time for the public shepherd to go speak. >> Sorry, mayor. We have enough space for two spaces per unit for the residential, right? Yes. >> And it's out. >> Yeah. Mr. Roughly 600 spaces.
>> What I'm looking for is to ensure that we don't have overlay parking into our commercial zones. So, thank you. Thank you for confirming. >> Okay. First speaker, come on up to the microphone. Give us your name, >> please. >> Uh, good evening. Uh, my name is
Shephard Grinker, 12 Maple Street, Tenn. And you don't need to give us our you don't need to give your addresses anymore. >> It's okay. >> Unless you want >> I might get evicted. >> Um uh on uh thank you um for uh the
presentations to all who made um I have two letters that I'm going to present to the mayor and council. The first one is on behalf of the downtown business committee as John mentioned um which I am a member of uh appointed member and then on the board of the Tennifly
Chamber of Commerce. I'm going to spare everyone reading both because one of them will summarize. Uh they are different and I'll present them to both of you. Uh dear Mayor Zenna, council members and fellow community members on behalf of Tennifly Downtown Business Committee and the small business owners
and entrepreneurs who have invested years of their lives into this town. We submit this letter in unanimous and unequivocal support of the proposed awakened development at the Clinton end. Our downtown is current as it currently exists is not economically sustainable,
which I can attest to. I already have one closed business because there was no foot traffic. Uh without consistent foot traffic, without residents living and working in the district, and without compelling reasons for people beyond Tennifly to visit, our businesses are left trying to
survive in an environment that does not support them. A shop cannot stay open past 5:00 p.m. on Goodwill alone. This is not a failure of business owners. It is a structural issue. The signs are clear. Retail turnover, limited evening
activity, and persistent storefront vacancies, including the documented 17% vacancy rate in 2021. These are indicators of a downtown that is underperforming and underutilized. Meanwhile, neighboring communities like
Englewood and Closter have invested in mixeduse development and destination retail, creating stronger foot traffic in more vibrant local economies. Tennifly has the same, if not greater potential, but we are currently not competing at that level. Without action,
this gap will widen. Investments will go elsewhere. Vacancies will persist and tenify will continue to fall behind. The Awaken project is a ne necessary step forward. It introduces density, drives consistent foot traffic, and creates a true destination, strengthening the
commercial tax base, attracting investment and supporting the businesses already here. It also aligns directly with the 2022 Tennifly downtown revitalization plan, addressing key community priorities such as establishing an anchored business,
enhancing public spaces, and integrating with future assets like the Northern Valley Greenway. Anchored by a highquality gourmet market and supported by hospitality, residential, and residential components, Awaken delivers what our downtown is missing. energy
consistency and economic sustainability. We are united in our support and urge the mayor and council to act decisively. The need is clear, the opportunity is clear. The question is no longer whether Tennifly needs it needs change. It is whether we are willing to make it. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Hi Cynthia. Just your name. Sorry, I don't have great voice projections, so I hope everyone can hear me. >> We can hear you. >> Good evening, Mayor and Council. Um, I'm speaking tonight because um I
first of all, I want to preface this by saying that this conversation does not need to be a zero sum game. I think um we can all see that this doesn't have to be a binary about pro-development versus anti-development. Um I think most folks that I have been
talking to over the last several weeks and I'm in many WhatsApp groups where this has been blowing up. Um the conversation is not about we don't want this. Actually there is a lot of excitement about this. Um personally I love um I love so much about this
project. Um but having said that um personally as a longtime resident I want to share with the council that you know I was born and raised in a uh 2,000 year old city uh which is very modern but at
the same time balances character. Now that's not maybe not something that everybody values but I think it could be done. It can be done. we can preserve Tennifly's special character while at the same time promoting growth. And I appreciate that the council is thinking
about this very carefully in terms of how to attract ratable growth but also consider the voice of you know the average resident here. Um I also really appreciate that this developer is local.
Camson has a name recognition. They have a track record. I've spoken to industry uh friends who have nothing negative to say about the developer. Um I also appreciate that they live in the community and therefore will be equally impacted by traffic and congestion.
Um, so, uh, moving beyond the aesthetic look of it, you know, I'm not for a six-story construction in Tennifly, but moving beyond that, I want to get some feedback from the council about some of the granular fiscal questions. Um,
particularly, I know, um, the developer mentioned that uh, the building is going to be non-combustible or made with non-combustible material, which is very encouraging. I appreciate that. Um, but does that translate to fireproof and no
risk and therefore requires no infrastructure? Hold on. >> And therefore requires no infrastructure improvements from um,
>> can you repeat that? >> More details about the fire. I would like some input from the fire chief. Fire chief perhaps that operationally a six-story structure with subterranean parking um is something that we are equipped for and that the municipality
doesn't have to expend more funds to buy a new >> to answer your question so you know how it's coming. if and when they they wind up in front of the planning board, the police chief, the fire chief, the DPW, everyone will be weighing in and that's
the time when all those details will be flushed out. >> And so you're saying that >> so you're saying the vote will happen after those questions have been answered. That's correct. About >> No, no. This is this this Why don't you
explain this because this matter is not in front of the planning board yet. >> Right. So this is the same as your individual homes have certain zoning that allows you to build certain things, right? So we already discussed what could be built as of right on this property. What we are looking for today
is for the council to consider introduction of a new overlay zoning to allow for this particular number of units um height, bulk standards, etc. After that is in place, a developer would still have to bring a site plan
application to the planning board, at which point they have to comply with all of the fire standards. There cannot be deviations at that point, but it's still all subject to the site plan. So, some of the information that was brought forward today or discussed such as traffic, storm water, that didn't have
to be here yet. That is something that is really the purview of the planning board at the time of site plan application. Um, I think in the interest of giving as much information to the public, the council asked the uh proposed developers to please consider these items and be prepared to speak
about them even though it's somewhat putting the cart before the horse. >> Got it. Thank you. Um, so as of just to have clarification, as of right, they can build a six-story building or >> No, no. >> No. >> No. as of right now could be at least 75
apartments over retail and it it would be a 40 foot structure. So, three to four stories depending. >> Um, there was also mention of impact on the board of ed. Um, and somebody mentioned the Ruter study which is a
very well- reggarded data set. Um, but it's an average across the state. I think the impact on a high performing district like Tennifly might be different. So I would like to hear from the board of ed specifically what sort
of impact it will have have on our involvement. Um I think um you know others will talk about um I'm sure um you know traffic congestion etc. But
I do want to say thank you for bringing this proposal to us. you know, we appreciate that you're thinking very creatively and I I see all the green spaces, which is great. The rooftop garden, the grocery store, all of that, all of those are things that we're excited about. Um, but I think we there
is room to negotiate for the council to make this something that's um palatable to all residents. Thank you, S. Hi, I'm Liz Winer. Um, my child is in kindergarten in uh, Stillman. She has 22
students in her class. Um, only one teacher, no teaching assistant. Um, I have a big problem with the way things are going with the the class size ratios in this town. And I really want to know how this is going to affect class size ratios. And I understand that you've
hired, you know, a whole marketing team with their analysis and stuff, but where's the independent analysis on how this is going to affect us? Additionally, I mean, you're saying eight students, but I think I've been maintaining a lot
and I want some transparency. Um, mayor, I sent you a petition with close to 100 signatures of 105 parents very upset with the overcrowding in the schools. We're going to lose our ranking. Demorris is already edging us out. We're going to keep slipping in those rankings
if we can't keep the standards of excellence high. Something like this with overcutting schools and understaffing. Like I I just don't see how this is going to help our case as it is already. So I'd like more answers on that and more clarification. And where
is the independent analysis and not your marketing team? >> Sure. I'm not >> just I have a comment for you if you before you go away. I just I just want to so I'm not going to pretend I'm an expert on schools or the school population. Okay. So I do have an
understanding that over the past 10 years the school population is actually down by somewhere between 250 to 300 students. Now how that affects class size I don't know. size is different. The whole >> completely agree with you that particular detail um is really a
question for the schools and the board of ed in terms of class size ratio. I just understand the numbers as it relates to the total population of the student population. >> Okay. >> Thanks. >> You're welcome.
>> I I have a quick question. Um just out of curiosity, how many classrooms are there for the kindergarten? Well, at Walter Stillman, there's two kindergarten classes and each of them have 22. We cannot get a teaching assistant, a second teacher, unless we hit 23. And that's already a lot. I
presented you with several studies, UC Davis, Star, Tennessee Star study, saying that experts say we need to have lower class size ratios at 22. So there that's already at max. >> So I would encourage the the discussion to go to the board of ed because
>> I went to the board of ed meeting, but >> I'm going to say there used to be three for each. So, it's a numbers game. Perhaps if more kids come in, it actually may ratios to get to that third classroom, bringing overall classroom down for that that particular. >> And where are we getting those extra
teachers since we can't seem to find them right now as it is? >> Well, there'll be more taxes coming in. What was that? >> That's a whole Mr. >> Okay. >> Wait, we're paying high taxes and we're not getting those lower class size ratios. I think that that's really
important of that question. >> That's people move here for >> all right the next member. >> Can I just say >> you know before the next member I just want to understand I sit on the planning board and you have to understand that this project is not in a vacuum. We have
already proposed and planned over 200 additional apartments. Benjamin Brothers is one of the larger sites not including the 95 proposed here tonight. So again I hope the school board weighs in. And I hope everyone in the community weighs in because it this project is not, you
know, in a vacuum. It is a communitywide understanding of of town density. >> Okay. Suzanne, just give us your name. >> Suzanne, I have a pretty loud voice, so I'm not sure you need this. You do. >> But I uh I've been scribbling and
hopefully I'll be able to read all my speaking to the mic. Okay. Um, I have been scribbling and I hopefully will be able to read all my notes, but obviously this land needs to be developed and I don't think anybody
here is saying that it needs to be vacant land or a park. Um, I don't know when the Clinton Inn was ever the center of town or how moving towards having it the center of
town again will improve walking traffic to the north of it. The town has been working for years on the traffic light. I don't think it magically appeared this year because of this development.
The town has been working on flooding areas. They've been working on storm drains and affordable housing has been promised to us by developers before this. And when the projects were
finished, they did not do the affordable housing and chose to just pay the fine that were required after the development was done. And unfortunately, the fines are much
less than what the costs or prices that they will get for the rentals. So, I certainly would like to know how this isn't going to be the same situation. Um, I also want to know why Froggy Park
is the most important thing to improve in our town. I always thought that or understood that when all this was started years ago, the town and developers
could only develop an assisted living building which could only be built after a new hotel was built. Obviously, this has all changed considerably. A sixstory, two-level underground
building, I'm worried, opens the town up to other developers coming in and building sixtory developments with underground levels. These are my questions and concerns. Thank you. Thank
you, Suzanne. Howie, how you doing? Come on up to the microphone. >> Good evening, how >> um I want to thank you for the presentation. It opened my eyes quite a bit. Uh I don't understand why we do need
six. I understand that you made an investment, but when you look at the zoning what it is now, if if you can't afford based on what the cost is, then walk away from the project. I mean, I mean,
because you decided that you want to invest in something that's not allowed, you want everybody to change. Well, this is going to open the door for other developers to do just what happens.
I'm sorry. Um, >> you mentioned that, you know, the older community wants apartments. Well, make it a 55 plus. That'll help the problem with the schools. a 55 plus will still be able to play those guitars. Medical
has a desired crown. >> A 55 community, it'll give people a place to stay. Uh not only that, you mentioned a grocery store. What's the square footage of the grocery store? Nobody mentioned the square foot.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. So, it's on the smaller side. >> It's a the restaurant that's there now is 9,000. >> Okay. So what kind of impact will it have on our two grocery stores be currently at town? Any studies on that? >> Okay, we might, you know, to make one
area nice, we might be hurting other areas downtown. Um, you know, at this point I would ask, and please don't take this the wrong way, but I would ask anybody at the mayor and council,
if any donations were made to you guys, you know, handwise to refuse yourself from this. And I think that, you know, we talk about vetting on Dean D. We put in tanks on Dean D. And even last summer, what
happened? >> What happened on Dean Drive? >> All right, let's The speaker is speaking. He's got a right to speak. >> Howie, fix the microphone. Howie, keep talking. >> You said tanks. You said tank. >> Tank. >> We had a We had a tremendous problem for
years flooding on Dean Drive. We put on very big storage tanks to retain the water. And I believe last summer we had a we had a flood where the tanks couldn't hold the water. >> I mean the the runoff everything has gotten terrible. That whole area floods
down there. Bean drive all the way down. >> Yeah. >> And uh thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Howie >> I just want to address something a couple things you said about the affordable housing. Um, we can't have 55
and up because as part of our settlement, we were required to have unrestricted family units there. We already maxed out our senior credits. So, as part of the affordable housing plan, we were not allowed to make that 55 and up. That's why that that isn't
being considered for that site. Um, and then I also wanted to note that in Anglewood Cliffs, what you're seeing there is as a result of not doing their affordable housing. So it is important to note that this is part of that process and quite frankly the state does
not care about infrastructure, does not care about the schools. They don't care about any of that. They're placing these requirements on municipalities. And the bureau did what I think was a very good job in trying to balance the equities in putting together their
fourth round plan. And that is how this 20 units came into the equation. >> Wendy point of clarification. So if we have the 20 units as you know understanding of affordable housing can we make the remaining units 55 and older?
>> My understanding is that you cannot have it in the same building >> based on separate building. >> It would have to be a separate project. Yeah. >> So like the first proposal that had a separate housing unit not attached directly to the hotel could comply.
>> Not if there's market rate units in that housing. No, it would have to be separate affordable housing, separate living space, separate hotel. >> And the problem is, but not anymore because the state now changed the U-Hack regulations which requires it to be interspersed within the market rates. Got it.
>> So, it creates another level of difficulty with that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Go ahead. >> Hi, my name is Katherine Kjanis. My main concern is um the flooding. Dean is a problem. Uh the professional building that is adjacent to this new structure
has had multiple episodes of flooding in the parking lot. It's a very active medical building and dental and patients have had their cars towed because they were underwater in flash flood kind of situations. the area on Westervelt
um where there's a little bridge right next to the building um is literally a waterfall when the water floods um gushes out and the one question I had is uh the brook that's behind our building and behind all the others you know
through cleansing and etc. What is going to be done with that? Because right now it's sort of dry >> but when the waters and the rains come and it floods it literally goes over and becomes muddy and messy. So how is that addressed with this chair?
>> Sure. So that that waterway that runs behind the bed that runs down the planting project is actually part of a storm water pipe system that comes down the hill from uh farther down the drive down the east hill. It goes through both
of the properties. It crosses over under the train tracks and goes onto Franklin and then goes through downtown. So, it's actually a storm water management system coming down from the hill. In our plan, we plan to pipe that entire thing because it's piped for a significant
portion of the property on the northern part of the project which will signific the power to blow over. It'll be in a pipe system and this half which is northwards towards that address >> because that will affect your
underground parking as well. >> Exactly. Well, it's all none of the underground parking is going to be in the area where the waterway is done. >> And this structure will not affect my building
in a negative way. >> That is not a concern. You know, a lot of times people build tall. When you talk about the location of your building like a straight line, you get a lot of runoff and you probably get a lot of runoff currently from the surface
taking Captain. discussion with you while we're in this play. >> By the way, I've been here since 1969 and the two garrisons were good friends with my parents and I remember the issue when they wanted to build the new Clinton in that the old one, but uh but
they succeeded. So, good luck to you guys. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Okay, next speaker. Evening. Uh, my name is Akash Sha. I'm the father of a four-year-old. I know she enjoys waving to you, Mayor. >> Yes, I enjoy waving back.
>> Yeah. And on most warm days, you'll find us walking to and from school uh on Magnolia F. Um, I want to be very clear. I am not opposed to growth. Uh, not by any means. Uh, in fact, I think there needs to be. I enjoy a more vibrant downtown with her. Uh but I do believe
that that road has to be smart. It has to be transparent. It has to reflect the needs of the community. I want to applaud you all and especially you all because I think this is what that looks like. I think this is a step in that direction. Um
look, when we are confronted with a decision like this, how high to build, how big to build, how tense to build, I think it's really important that we do our homework. uh the council but also the the residents of Tennifly. Um let me
speak to one aspect that I think a lot of people have touched on but uh it'll it will certainly touch my my little one the most. So it's the piece around schools. Uh we've heard bits and pieces of this but this is the part that stands out to me. Um
right now uh this proposal builds higher and includes nearly 100 rental units. Many of them have multiple bedrooms. I know the Rucker study that estimates less than 20. I've read it. But judging by the reaction in the room, it seems
like there's an understanding that a lot more people several people moved on to our block in the past year alone. Every single one of them had two or more kids. It's why we moved here, too. >> So, we know the number is going to be higher. Here's the other piece that I
heard from from some of the others. Yes, we're talking about building this bigger today. Um, but there's a cumulative impact as well. There's been references made to four other developments that are already in the pipeline. Benjamin
Brothers with over 112 or 120 units, the old cinema with nearly 20 units, uh, two developments, some of which they broke ground on near the high school which will bring over 60 and 20 additional communities. right? A collective if this
bill's hired to over 300 units. Um again, the community may want that. Uh but they deserve to to have visibility into what that's going to mean uh for for my little ones, for potentially your little ones, for all of our kids uh uh
schools and educational experience as some articulated earlier. Um, and I think a really good po, excuse me, a really good point was made earlier when it comes to the math by councilwoman O' Connor. Um, look, currently the per year
per people cost of education in 10 flight is just about $27,000. Um, the state pays a fraction of it uh per council Oconor about a quarter or less. You do the math, that's a five figure deficit per pupil per year with
300 plus units potentially coming into town. You don't need that many kids, probably just north of 50 before that becomes a seven figure deficit and there's only one main way to recoup that cost and those are our property taxes.
So again, we may be okay with that, but but those are the kind of questions that I'd love more details on. And Councilwoman Okconor, I appreciate your question to uh to the developers on on doing that analysis. I really would love for for our council andor our board of education to commit to doing an
independent analysis. Uh making sure that those results are public so that that the community can can weigh in. Um the needs of businesses and advice for downtown are real and important, but so too is the future of my little one and and the little ones of so many others
for sure. Appreciate. Thank you. Okay. Who was online next? >> Hello. Uh I'm Pete Quinn. Um my major concern is the transportation of how are you getting these people
around? You uh I grew up I lived in Tennly my entire life. Um, I know how crazy that intersection is and now you have a you have a traffic light on the corner. For years it was a blinking light,
but you know, I got a kick out of which, you know, I respect brake plans. I love the whole thing. I'm a big component of uh transportation, especially everybody talks about the green thing. My opinion
is the biggest green thing we have in Tennifly is two railroad tracks. You want to get people moving around, don't get rid of the railroad tracks. Invite the railroad tracks. Invite a train. Get, you know, you're adding more cars
into the public. You're adding, you know, unless you're giving out bicycles for everyone to get around on. Otherwise, there's no way. Dean Drive, like she said, Franklin Street, George Street, Westelt, Road right now during
school days, if you're not pass by quarter after 8, you're waiting 10, 15 minutes to get to the clinic. You know, the impact, you also talk about the water situation. There is a
brook. I don't. It wasn't built because of uh runoff from uh from the hill that was there years ago. There's a brook that brook goes all the way behind houses on uh George Street. It's about it's about this wide
about this deep. And trust me, I know after the last couple of years of the storms that we had, it's major. It's gets flooded all the time. It's constantly I I worked for the town years ago. I know that one pit
by Franklin Street. If that gets clogged, it's all really bad. But again, my concern is transportation. The the impact of the streets around Franklin, George, Westville,
it's it's going to be impossible to e to even get around. Thank you. >> Thank you, Peter. Good afternoon. Uh Arvin V. Uh I've been in Tennerly here for 13 years. Uh couple of listen to the uh speaker. Go ahead sir. >> So I'd like to congratulate the
developer for bringing this beautiful project to us. I think what is happening here from what I see and I've heard from the residents who have turned out today. Thank you very much. Is that there are a lot of fears that need to be appeased. I don't think and I'm very surprised at
this meeting we are hearing conversations about affordable housing requirements that are not even being met. Uh the traffic study is done on green street only. What happened to the rest of the major junctions at school time? I'm surprised that that's not even
been considered. Right? If you take the average of the number of cars that come out of this development, say 50 cars at uh school peak time, what does that do to to all of us? I think all of us are
very uh uh very keen to see a redevelopment of the community, redevelopment of the retail and uh thank you for bringing this project and how you're presenting it to us, but a lot more work needs to be done. Board of Education got involved. How
were they not involved at this point in time about doing an independent study? Right. And I have a specific question to the developer. When they bid and they bought this project, was it on the basis that this was going to be a four-story
project or was it presumed that they will get the variance of the ordinance to sixtory? >> We haven't. >> Okay. So you it's on base. >> Okay. >> Yeah.
>> There was actually a plan presented. >> Okay. >> To the council. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> The engineers >> and there was no way of making it work without construction. It was too old too. >> Okay. >> Couldn't salvage. So we attempted to do that. Okay.
>> This was originally planned. So with redeveloping it to four stories and not six, would you go for it? Doesn't work. So I appreciate that honestly. So we should all know that that that there's clarity on that. Right. So I invite the
council to look into this a lot deeper and at the end of the day as residents of Senna fly I think there a couple of things we want re the vibrancy of the community vibrancy of the retail the survivability of the retail in this town
we don't want to have to every evening think that we want to go for dinner we'll have to leave town to go somewhere else we want to stay in town we want to support the businesses and that's very important to us, right? So, we'd like projects like this, but we'd like to
know what is the what happens to the residents, whether it's traffic, whether it's affordable housing, whether it's weekend questions on specifically on tax with this development. I have a specific question. What is the
projected net fiscal impact to the town after accounting for increased cost to schools, police, fire, sanitation, and public works? Will this development generate a surplus for current residents or will it require a tax increase to
cover services? Do we know the answer? evidence. >> How are we here discussing this step? Thank you very much. >> Hey Brendon, >> go ahead. Hi everyone. Um I'm Brendan Lee. I'm an architect here in town. Uh
and um I think you know I've been looking at this uh proposal drawings and I think uh you know I certainly think that something needs to be done you know to the site. I'm definitely not against any sort of development. Uh I think you know I do have some concerns about the scale of it. Not necessarily that it's
too big per se, but I think from the drawings it's sometimes a little, you know, I understand it's just selective drawings that you're publicly sharing in this sort of uh uh audience. Um but it's it's a little hard to really get a sense for what the scale of it is relative to
the context of the town, you know, with these sort of bird's eye view um renderings and your building sections uh don't sort of indicate floor to floor floor heights or overall height of the building. Um, so I think what what I'm sort of getting at though is uh I'm
trying to understand, you know, in reading the um the re redevelopment plan that was posted to the town. I think it was authored by Burgess Associates, the town planning organization or town planner. um they um you know I think I think I think ostensibly it was to sort
of generally review the sort of proposal and to sort of offer how it relates to the um the objectives of the town master plan and whether it sort of supports or did not support it. Um I guess what I didn't quite see in there was sort of any particular um
evidence. Not that there wasn't any, but I just didn't I didn't see too much work there and sort of showing how they really evaluated this proposed increase in bulk on the site, the scale of the buildings and how that relates to sort of everything else going on in town uh
from a sort of sort of urban design standpoint, let's call it. And you know, this isn't necessarily that I'm against more density. In fact, I think there's potential benefits for more density for taller buildings. you know, taller buildings that are well designed. But I
think um you know, understanding, you know, this taller building for this site, how does that relate to for instance, you know, other sites around it like you know, Caldwell Banker site that's on a triangle being in Tyler or
um you know, the sort of uh area around the the Wells Fargo parking lot and drive through the sort of parking lots next to uh the LC club. uh you know even Mount Carmel it's you know this idea that sort of you know creating a you
know shifting the center of gravity of town sort of towards the south you know that may appeal uh and there might be you know things that make sense about it but understanding from a sort of urban design standpoint how does that relate to you know um what's going on in
downtown right now you know how how do people tra how does pedestrian traffic come you know between what's on Washington and this market or or restaurant uh at this new development um and how that all sort of relates. Has there been any sort
of overall study from an urban design standpoint of what that might mean and how that might impact you know potential consideration of further management of development on these other sites which I think you know from my standpoint at least I feel like you know there there could be other things that
you know could go on in the future and I feel like the borrow should be taking an active role and trying to sort of look at it from a sort of broader sort of >> sure has a master plan which gets revised um officially every 10 years with looks at thing like looks at things
like building sites in town like the Benjamin brothers, like the theater, like the Clinton and um and a lot of the questions tonight about uh about about about traffic and u setbacks and water and drainage and all that sort of stuff. That's really all going to be dealt with
in detail, the fire suppression issues um all by the planning board because the planning board delves into all those details to answer those detailed questions. Right? This isn't the planning board here, which is why um when we talk about certain um things like drainage, we don't have all the details. We don't have Right. Okay. But
the town itself is zoned in a particular way. Benjamin Brothers is zoned in a particular way, has been for whatever 50 or 60 years. Um they're building a development there, right? So, you can't um It's interesting because you look at the different properties available
downtown. I think the only thing left is the Wells Fargo parking lot. Correct. Um, this particular site was picked out. We've been working on this for six or seven years now in terms of and this is the uh the gentlemen who are purchasing this, the contract purchases, whatever
their status is today. Um they're the fourth ones in in five or six years to be here because we're trying to make something happen there because we've got an area that uh we declared six or seven years ago that it was in need of redevelopment because it was deteriorating and continues to
deteriorate. Right? So the idea of what's going on here, the genesis started six years ago and it was always to be we want the hotel as the main priority which is consistent with our master plan. But in order to make that economically work, uh the first choice
was the developer came to us and said, "Let's put this assisted living facility up there." Economics didn't work. The whole thing fell apart. Someone else bought the building. They're trying to make it work. Apparently that's not working. We now have new purchases coming with a plan. um very much instead
of being assisted living, they're apartments because the economics work for the apartments but not for the assisted living. So, excuse me. So, uh so here we are today trying to change what's going on there, which is a continuous deterioration of that
property there in the center of our downtown, which I don't think any of us want. Um and so we looking at it as a great improvement to the town. Because if not this, it's going to be something else. And the something else may in
fact, and this has happened many times in the past. It happened on the Penetone site where the community, I don't know, 25 or 30 years ago, someone wanted to put a supermarket there. And the town decided didn't want a supermarket. Too much traffic, too much density. And instead, what wound up
happening, I think there was a builder's remedy lawsuit there, right? because we weren't following affordable housing uh rules whatever three decades ago and we wound up with the condos there. It happened up in the Heights on East Clinton Avenue, right? There were supposed to be five houses. The town said no. So they have then town houses
are beautiful there. I love them. Okay. But then but instead of getting the five houses, they got 22 town houses, right? And so where we work, this is the one, two, third developer we've been working with to try to make something happen. >> I don't I'm not complaining about that.
I'm just saying, you know, in terms of overall holistic standpoint downtown, you know, currently we have two to three story buildings along Railroad Avenue. You know, this is a six building that's right there. >> Um, you know, you're proposing a a pocket park that's sort of like at the
foot of Railroad Avenue. How does that relate to Highland Park? Um, you know, how does um, you know, potentially this call banker building is, you know, might that be something bigger potentially because a gateway into town, which I think is a good idea. Um, you know, it's
hard to really tell how it works with the sort of one single project here with these other kind of like, you know, gas station home. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. overall holistic view I think very helpful don't necessarily see that
>> you know it's interesting >> but I think >> in relation to >> all right so let's move on because I just want only reason I'm interrupting a little bit here because we really have a threeminut time limit we're trying to get as many people to speak as possible
okay but thank you Zack come on Oconor that apply. So did anyone think about when the hotel crashed a bed? How soon can they build that into apartments? Is there a law or rules against that? Like the hotel they just goes away and then now let's just make
apartments out of it. So instead of 95, we have 150 or 200. >> Actually, >> is that a rule or a law? >> So the redevelopment plan requires the hotel to be there for this rupture from now. It would require coming to the zoning board for a variance and the zoning board would have to decide at that time.
>> Then the hotel would just be empty then if it cracks in >> again. They'd have to go to the zoning board for a zoning variance. >> Okay. I'm against the guys. >> Thank you, John. >> Wendy, can we put in a an agreement that
um this developer cannot sell more than 10% of this property for the first five years? that it would >> what does that even mean? >> It means that they can't sell the hotel or the living until it's up and running and viable, you know, and that we are
requiring them to stay with their own project for the first 5 years. >> So, in if this were to come to pass and if there was to be a redevelopment plan adopted that allows this and a redevelopment agreement with the developer, the bureau has to approve any
any sale to somebody else. So, you don't want to restrict or limit someone because quite frankly, if they can't run it, you'd rather have someone that can. So, I don't recommend that. >> Well, I I want to make sure that if approved, the developer stands by his
project that it is financially viable, which is the representation being made to us today. And so, for something to be financially viable in this community, it should be financially viable for at least 5 years. I would love to say 10. Well, respectfully, I think that they
have to show that to their investors and they wouldn't be doing this. And, you know, candidly, this is why they're asking for the two stories of parking and four stories above it because they're saying it's not financially viable without it. >> Six stories above it. >> All right. So, let's go on to the next. Let's see it from the public.
>> Two stories parking. >> Next person, Jason. Give us your name. >> Jason T. Is this on? Jason Tuvel. Um, I gave this a lot of thought. Um, I know that change can be difficult for a lot of people and there's a balancing act
with this with this type of development. But I'll tell you after reviewing the plans, listening to the presentation, why as somebody who drives a student to the middle school and a student to the high school every day, I'm fully familiar with all the issues. I'm fully familiar with the flooding in the area.
I get it all. I'll tell you why. I'm 100% behind the project. And I think that the council should both work. And I'm going to go through it through objective maintenance. So, first the aesthetics. I think it looks great. The project's in area in need of redevelopment. I think the extra height
is fine. Doesn't bother me at all. But I'll tell you why it doesn't bother me all at the end. But I think the height looks good. I like the step back and I like the green roof and I like the robust landscaping. So from an an aesthetic standpoint, the project works well. Storm water man. This is going to
be a huge improvement to the area. That area floods. It's at a low point. It's going to be a huge improvement. The only way in New Jersey now to fix storm water issues is through redevelopment. Waiting for government infrastructure to occur. It doesn't happen. You have to force the
developer to do it. And I'll get to that in one second. The the retail vibrancy to the to the shopping downtown, it that's obvious. That's going to be a huge benefit to those businesses. I agree 100% with Councilwoman Dayton. You should go back and get the 20 affordable
units because that'll help us on the fourth round, but it'll also help us plan for the fifth round, which we all of us who plan for the third round, we didn't see the fourth round creeping up. The fifth round will creep up. So, I think the affordable housing to me is
also a significant benefit and it makes sense doing it on the periphery of the downtown because this is a transition area. So, if you notice like where the Adani development is going to the north of the stock and shop, where um the DPW is over there, these are kind of like
transition areas. So, this is the middle between where single family goes to the downtown. So, to me, this is a perfect spot to do an inclusionary project like this. So, I think that's also a good thing. The traffic, so they'll perform their studies, they'll do them with the county, they'll do them with the
planning board. And what's nice about that is if the studies show that offtrack improvements are required, for example, does the road need to get widened a little bit? Do the does the traffic signal timing need to be adjusted? That'll be on them to do it.
So it won't be on the car. It'll be on they'll have to pay their prata share for those improvements. So that's why even though I sit in that traffic every morning taking my kids to school and if you don't leave by 7:45 or 7:50, it could be it could be a little bit of a
difficult weight, but that will help the fact that they'll have to adjust those things later. The school children, again, it doesn't bother me because this is going to produce a higher ratable than the effects it'll have on municipal services. The burrow is going to be in
the plus on this. There's no doubt about it. They're not asking for a pilot. I would actually cons implore the burrow and the applicant to ask for a pilot because then you could divert more money to the burrow and away from the county. So to me, I would take that off the table. I would actually explore that
because that could actually help the taxpayer like myself in the end. So I think that that's something you should actually look at. I commend the developer not for not asking for it. It's a nice thing publicly to say, but it actually might not be in the best interest of both sides to not do it or
at least to have it explored. So, I think that should be part of your financial analysis with the CFO and the tax assessor when you're looking into that. And then what's also good about this project is it's redevelopment. It's not typical zoning. So, what I would do is I would challenge the council. You're
going to have a redevelopment agreement. Make them do more storm water management than they need to under the D rules. make them do a more extensive green roof. Make them do more robust landscaping, hold their, you know, feet to the fire on the architecture so they can't change it. You have the ability
here through a redevelopment agreement to really, you know, hold, you know, hold into these promises. So, you should do that, which is different than zoning where it would just be a resolution of approval and they could change some things. Here, you can contractually buy them the things that, you know, they
wouldn't ordinarily be a part of. So that to me it's going to improve aesthetics, it's going to improve gradables, it's going to improve um retail vibrancy, it's going to improve storm water management. The traffic isn't necessarily I think going to be an issue. If we keep waiting for the
perfect project, you're never going to get it. >> And to me, if you look at all these benefits, they out I get it. Everybody's a little bit nervous with chain and that's completely understandable. But I think the benefits of the project is outlined and what the burough could do
in the redevelopment process makes this project something that you should approve. And uh thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> I'm Julia Kger. Um I have three kids. We live in Tennifly. Um I sitting outside in and looking at the conversations
being had here psychologically it is very easy to look at like the things that are wrong with it right which I will say having known this group of developers at their core they are the most intentional human beings with the most integrity. I have seen them time
and time again across their careers turn down profit over integrity. And so all of these asks I think are very valid and I think they will look at with open ears. I as a mother in this town also think about the schools. I want my kids to thrive here. I want to send them to
the public schools why we lived here. As someone who owns a house here, historic house which has even worse property taxes like I care about all that too. I think it's very easy to see the developers here as caricatures of some external group coming in. But these are like literally your neighbors. I will
also say as a business owner and as like an investor totally separate from any of this, the math has to work, right? And so I love the intention that Conrad said about how they thought about this space and not utilizing every square footage and making as many possible apartments
that could be approved, right? There was so much intention because they lived in this town, their kids go to this school, like these are the streets that would be congested or not. Like that's really different than someone coming externally in and not facing the consequences of what they create. And I know again it's
very easy to look at a group of people coming in as a caricature of a bigger thing, right? And to speak up against, but like these people are co-creating this with you with the most incredible intention. And I can't wait to have a town that I can go to a hotel bar and have a drink with a friend and I can go
have a coffee here. And I know so many business owners here that are deeply, deeply struggling. And you don't have to know them personally. You can walk by and see the vacancy rates or like the seven nail salons that are here, but like there's just nothing else. And people are really, really struggling.
And so, while it's easy again, and I know it's with the best intentions, I give everyone the most benefit of the doubt to see the things that could be wrong and six stories instead of four, you know, and all of these things, like give your questions to this group. They will approach them with the most
integrity. They just want to create, and I know them personally very well, the most incredible place for us to all live and thrive. And I can't wait to see that hopefully come to fruition um in a way that benefits all of us.
>> Hello. >> Hi. >> Hi. I'm in Israeli Miller. Um I appreciate the opportunity to ask questions um about this project. I certainly see a lot of benefits that it can bring to our community. Um but I do
have some uh clar clarifications I I would hope to get as it pertains to uh implications this project might have um on the daily lives of our residents and the tax base. First, I have a very
important disclaimer I need to read. So, while I am a member of the Tennifly Board of Education, my questions are my personal questions as a Tennifly resident, they have neither been authorized nor approved by the Tennly
Board of Education and do not represent any position taken on this matter by the Tennifly Board of Education. Okay. So um since this land has been declared as area in need of uh development
>> um I understand um the councilman talked about the rights of the owners. I understand the owner has or the developer has a right to ask for a pilot program. I also think I understand that you have not correct
um and Right. And so my question is more of a legal question. Um the fact that the developer now um for you know for goes that that right and says he's not asking for a pilot
program. Does that proclaim him from asking for a pilot program in the future? or does he still have the right at any point in time in the future to ask for a pilot
program? >> So, the requirements for a pilot um for a long-term tax exemption under that law, the requirement is to have an area in need of redevelopment. So, the I can't speak for them. My belief is that they're publicly stating to the
community tonight that they're not seeking it because that is the position they're taking. Um, nothing would prohibit them from doing so, but having come out to the public saying that they're not, I think it'd be very hardressed for them to get the council
to agree to it because a pilot can only be um approved by the council if the pro-forma and the financials show that. But for the payment in lie of taxes, the project would not happen. So
I'm assuming they've looked at at their financials at their investments and they're coming in with a certain density, height, whatnot. Um because the finances work at that level, >> right? If so their fin >> the finances have to not work to qualify.
>> So their calculations are based on current market conditions of based on everything. They are contemplating adorum taxes. Oh, >> you consulted with the borrow tax assessor regarding the potential acceptment of the tax those properties
from that we're using in our financial underwriting as if it was being taxed with the standard property >> right so my question is a few years down the line I mean this project takes a while to build right um if conditions
change um the developer may seek to apply for >> once um construction has begun, you no longer qualify to ask for one. >> Okay.
>> So that's a very good distinction and a very calming I think distinction. So how soon before construction is supposed to start? >> We've got a couple of steps to get through before we start with construction. No, meaning it's not going
to be years before con construction starts and >> we didn't plan the starting assuming we go to the >> Okay. And then there's no pilot program. >> Thank you. That was my main concern.
>> Thank you. >> Good evening, council. Um, thank you for the opportunity to ask questions. Thank you uh Tenniferly residents for showing up in great numbers. Uh very nice presentation. Thank you for all the detail and all the Facebook all the Facebook there's a lot if I can go all
the Facebook discussions on this. So uh you know just to I'll just I mean lots of questions I I will take with only three minutes. Uh to Cynthia's point I think it's this is not like a yes and no project. We all want something to happen like and I clearly think there's there's
some give, you know, from 75 uh uh dwellings, right? Or uh apartments plus a hotel, you're now going to 200 room hotel plus 95 uh dwelling. That's a lot more. Um plus you're taking the plot
which is uh south of the hotel. It's not only the the existing hotel. Just for the uh tenner residents to understand there's a rakin lot at the south of the hotel which will also get included in this project. Am I right? >> Correct. So that's uh that's a lot more
construction. Second, it would be nice to hear from the council like what is the hurry to approve so many condominiums within a few months in town? Is there like an urgent pressing need to satisfy some requirement like in
6 months or 8 months in my mind? There's a lot of studies to show. Let me just finish that point and answer. There are a lot of studies to show that ongoing construction traffic during construction periods have issues on respiratory health. Respiratory health of children
walking through the community on residents in the community. Why do we have to do all these projects simultaneously? I'll give you an opportunity to answer then I'll after one more question. >> So the the burrow doesn't schedule construction projects or development projects. Private property owners come to us with they come to the planning
board for project approval. Um Benjamin Brothers, the Grove Street property, the theater building, uh the Wells Fargo is uh is not even in front of the planning board yet. But these projects all came to the planning board closed to simultaneously.
um different events, whatever happened economically, all of a sudden people wanted to develop their properties. >> Just go ahead and jump in. >> So, what's really pushing the approval of at least the zoning for these projects, even if they're not coming to the planning board, is your state legislature that passed the affordable
fair housing act >> it required zoning to be in place to meet your obligation by March 15th of this year. We had to seek an extension in order to consider the redevelopment plan for this project to really give the public the opportunity to weigh in and not fasttrack and get some opinions. We
had to seek an extension in order to do so. Otherwise, everything had to be zoned and zones and zoning ordinances adopted on or before March 15th to stay compliant and not be liable for a builder's remedy and lose the town's immunity.
>> And this includes all the projects, not just this project. legal requirement includes all the projects to come simultaneously. Okay. And just the other thing I mean we keep referring to this project as a plan not passed a plan but it's still I mean if you go to see I mean you go to see personal websites the
project is being marketed being put out to investors as if it's already been passed. Is there any reason like a project which is still in planning stage should be on people's personal websites like as if it's if you read the language it almost sounds like past more to come will get approval for $60 million in
tenner flight immunity. Is there any reason to do that? >> I really don't know what you're referring to. >> The project has been publicized on personal websites right on that that is social media that this is open to investors. It's already passed. It's definitely passed. I think I would
encourage the Tennerly residents to Google this project on the builders the uh investors websites and see what the language is. And the last question you know I've been in Tennerly uh 10 years um I actually work in Ridgewood. I'm a physician. I used to work in uh
Ridgewood uh main area of Ridgewood and now we are in more in Paris. The really reason to come to Tennerly is the schools. It's you know everybody likes a vibrant downtown and people compare like why not we have closer and angle so why not go to closter angle there's a reason
people don't want to go to closter and angle word and come to tennifly they like the charm I do understand that downtown needs some vibrancy but not to this extent only this project is a total fail in this I just want to make a comment. My name
is Jaden Arrowi. I've lived in this area my entire life and I'm 100% confident that this would be an amazing addition to the town of Tannifly and especially for the youth. I've heard constant complaints from the kids that they don't have a place to go and hang out and
instead they go to the Closter Plaza or they go to the town of Englewood. But if we had something like this, it would give the kids a place to hang out without having to leave the town of Tennifly. And I think that would just be an amazing addition.
>> Hello, this is Eve Bin. >> Okay. Okay, everyone, we have a speaker here. >> Hi. Uh, this is Eve Bulin. I want to echo what others have said, which is this is a beautiful project and we really love uh the idea of development. However, we cannot deny the fact that we
had a hotel and it went under. So when we think about this, we shouldn't really be thinking about it as if it's going to succeed as much as I wanted to. And I think that having an event space, fabulous idea, great, great, great. But you have to, as a town, considering I
want to live here and my kids want to live here for the next 50 to 100 years, I have to assume it could fail because the exact place where the hotel failed. So we're not going to end up being here
in however many years with an empty building. Whoever owned for that time is going to say let's put it into apartments. So we cannot be looking at this as a 95 room apartment complex. You said if we did nothing by right 75
could be made. Well 75 is a hell of a lot different from 95 and then converting the hotel rooms which another 200 into apartments. I want this to succeed. I think it got to bring down the density. The other thing I want to say is that it does feel good to have a
traffic study saying there's absolutely no impact on traffic when you have 600 parking spots. Thank you. >> Hi, I'm Dr. Lorie Sha. I've lived in Townly for 16 years. I have a child who graduated Sunfly high school and one who
still attended. Um, I guess I will start by saying that I can't believe I'm up here objecting to a project that a building that can't burn, won't flood, won't change the flooding, won't decreere increase traffic, won't affect
my child's education or school, will not lower my property value, will not increase my taxes. I mean, this is I feel like we're booking this in utopia. So, I got to with great respect to the people who came up here. I'm not an expert. I'm a physician. I know nothing
about this. But I got to ask why we don't have our own people looking at these numbers because I I'm the child of a small business owner. My mother is a small business owner. I understand that the town needs business. I get it. But
we need our own numbers because we have to worry about our interest as the residents and the things I I mentioned are my interests as a person who lives here with a child in school. We got to have our own independent analysis because if we don't I don't even know what we're talking about.
>> So when if if and when the project gets to the planning board that's exactly what happens. Our own planners, our own engineers, the traffic experts look at all these details that happens at the planning board level. be voted on today.
>> So, go ahead and answer that question for the process. >> No, again, tonight we're looking at what zoning to be put in place potentially for the site. This would be an introduction. The ne not the council meeting on the on April 21st would be a
public hearing on the ordinance. If adopted, then a site plan comes in to the planning board. The site plan is what actually gets approved. This is the concept of what can happen at the site, not what will. >> And is there any plan at any of those
structures to have an independent analysis? >> Absolutely. >> That's what happens at the planning board. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. >> You're welcome. >> Uh hi everybody. My name is Ariel. I'm a junior at Tennifly High School and much like what my friend Jaden said, um,
Tennifly needs a place where people can have fun, especially teenagers. Like, I'm not an expert on all the little things that go into this, such as like the water and the parking and stuff like that. But I am an expert on teenagers. I know that kids want something new. They
want something fun. They want to be able to go out and just hang out with their friends. The biggest place that that happens now is Target in Closter Plaza. And the fact that that is where kids are hanging out is honestly mind-blowing. Why not go to a place like this where they can hang out around the back or around these walkways that they're
talking about or on the roof or why not just hang out in the lobby and have fun or eat dinner at a good restaurant. Right. Since they opened this pay attention to the speaker >> since uh I know that they're the owners in the Pel place. That place has boomed. All my friends on a Friday or Saturday
night like why don't we go pedal? Why don't we sit in their lobby and just talk and have fun? I think that this would be an amazing addition to Tennifly for the youth and for the adults because it would just bring a more vibrant area to our lives. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> May I ask follow up on that?
>> Can I ask a question? >> You have a question. Go ahead. >> I have a question for the developers. >> So, we heard two great teenagers say they want to hang out in your hotel. >> Can you explain to me where they're hanging out in the hotel? I want I want to hang out. I got to
>> I just want to understand. >> Just to be clear, they're they're telling you Lauren Dayton that your town has nowhere >> spend any time. >> But you've been on the for how long? >> John, my question. >> So the hotel has a 9,000 foot lobby where anybody could come hang out. >> So you're going to let the teenagers
come hang out in the >> Why wouldn't they? Would we make it off limits to people? >> You guys got it. We're good. >> Okay. Next. All right, everyone. the next speaker. How you doing, Peter? Good to see you. >> Rustin, I just moved at 10 o'clock.
>> Change is scary. And I'm going to repeat what the mayor said. Over the course of years, we've had some opportunities for change. The first one I think of is the supermarket where now there's over 40 units of housing. We had great reasons
to reject the the supermarket. It was not the right way to go. Okay. The Heights, that could have been a few homes. In interest of full disclosure, my son moved in. He had two kids when he moved in. I remember the demographer for the Heights said there'd be six kids in
that development. We had more than a dozen in our in our garage at times. So, experts for the developers, they are there for the developers. We have to depend on our people to protect us and
we have to depend on our elected officials to pro to make sure the uh the uh officials are doing their job. Um I grew up at the Clinton in I lived in T-neck. I grew up in T-neck and I can
remember my parents having to go back to the Clinton in when I was 2 years old because they forgot my baby uh silverware. >> The Clinton was the centerpiece of this community. We don't have a centerpiece anymore. The theater is gone. And this
plan sounds pretty darn good now. Yeah, it's scary about the amount of kids that may come out of it. Traffic, no offense, but the traffic now. It's it's it's terrible now. It's not going to get any worse. Okay? And if if there's additional kids, that's the job of the
board of education to fit them in. And if you have 22 kids in a kindergarten class now, you should be at the board of ed meeting saying that's unacceptable. Even if you don't need a 23rd, you need a 23rd kid to have an an assistant.
That's crazy. You know, our school system is what brings people here, not the downtown. Uh the only people that come here for the downtown are the developers, but our retail is failing. This will bring traffic in and I I
support it only because I know that our planning board and our mayor and council are going to be all over it. And Lauren, instead of spending three of our hours here, spend it in the closed sessions making sure this development works for Tennifly. >> Yeah.
>> All right. One last thing. Bring back Tennifly Kosher. >> Thank you. Can I just say he just had a grandchild. >> Mayor Rustin, congrats on your new grandchild. >> Thank you. >> He's going to school in
>> Hi, I'm Alan Kowski. Um, I know it's late, so just going to be really brief. Uh, to me it's a question of first principles and it's one that people touched on before. Um and it's a little bit unfair that we're having this conversation in the context of a particular project which has been
thought out and folks have put a lot of effort into it. Um and we can believe that 600 spots will produce no traffic or not believe that. We can believe that this will produce only 18 kids for the school system. We cannot believe it. We
can agree with five floors or six floors or 12 floors. We can agree that the lobby is going to become the focal point for town. We cannot believe that. Uh to me the question is again a little bit different and different from the Trojan
horse concerns about the hotel becoming more apartments which has not just theoretically possible but empirically proven that hotels have not done well recently on that exact spot. But again the question is one of first principles and one of cumulative effects. what this
and similar developments somebody said 300 plus units and whatever precedent this sets for other developments in town does to the fabric of this town that's not a question you deal with incrementally through peacemeal review
of projects wellthoughtout projects like what this well might be with modifications without modifications but the broader point is more fundamental to the town and why people live here and why people move here. And I would say
that again, it's not a conversation for peacemeal review of projects. It's not a conversation for the planning board. It's not a conversation for the town engineers. I would submit it's not necessarily a conversation for the elected representatives of this town. It
is potentially a more broader referendum type conversation for all of us living here so we can make an informed decision on who we are and what we want this town to be. Again, this is an investment not in today, not in tomorrow, in 50 years
from now. Thank you, Max Bash. I'm uh so happy that uh Mayor Rasan is here because I have to go back a long time ago when we approved the overlays for uh affordable housing. When we approved the overlay for the
affordable housing, we approved 75 units and four story high. Why we did that? Because in our calculations when you do that you have small apartments that would have a minimum impact on the
school on the fabric of the city on of our town the fabric of the community and it's not going to be offensive in in its f. So what happens when you approve now 95 units sixtory high you turn the whole
planning that we had for 10 years upside down. There is no such thing as developers right what they have in right they have four story height and 75 units that's all what they have as a right
it's not uh 95 it's not six unit six six story high and so on now when you do that when you increase by 50% the height of the uh building it's not only the height it's the fact that now you have
larger units in the buildings and larger units in the buildings basically bring more children and more children mean more school and it's not up to the board of ed to make sure that they have additional uh seats in schools it's up
to us to pay for those additional seats in school not for board of ed to say tomorrow we're going to have 25 new uh school classes and so on now what is happening right now is that The study
that everybody's uh citing over here, the actual Ruter study says that if you have a 100 units and specifically uh with a a mix, you're going to have 76 children additional. Now, that's an
average. Why would people come to terite? It's because of the schools. That's the only thing. It's a magnet school number two or member number one in Bergen County. So what we expect to have is probably 90 100 kids coming to
to school. Now let's look at the economics because somebody was asking what is the economics? All right. On the average a uh apartment maybe generates $10,000 in monthly taxes. If you have a
100 kids, the school cost is $27,000. The state pays a small amount and we the residents pay about 202,000 dollars uh a year for the education.
take the $10,000 uh dollars that the apartment can bring, which means that we all the community will have to pay an additional$10,000 for every single kid that goes to school out of our park. If
you look at the 100 kids, it's a million dollars that we have to basically put out without even talking about the municipal and everything else. That was the reason when we hid you overly and I don't know if anybody of you were here
now you were I was the only one maybe I was >> were you here okay we had very carefully look of what they have >> how many units and how tall the buildings can be. So we do not have this
over build that can bring us a big uh question about how much more money we the community have to pay a million dollars here. Now the question now comes how come this developer coming over here
gets all of a sudden a request for six story and Benjamin brother doesn't and everybody else and is it something different for this developer now they said oh we move the uh front of the building and we make the building more
compact so we have well I I just have to say that we're not so stupid the previous uh uh picture that you sent longer buildings was also sixtory. So shortening the building did not create the additional uh uh space, the
additional floor but was always like that. So >> yeah, >> just to be here just it wasn't okay. >> So I I also want to just point out the reason they're coming in on the six stories is because that property was
already zoned for the six stories for assisted living. It didn't come out of Lebanon gas. >> I know it Wendy, they were a previous >> and Max, all of those 95 units are not three-bedroom apartments that are going to generate. >> It's a mixture. I can give you the
>> Let's not go down the list, Max, because we're running out of time. >> Okay. But you know, the reason I because I had to have this conversation. Okay. So now we have this question about a developer that gets more than what the
actual zoning is permitting for apartments because for apartments you only permitted four story they want to go to 65. Uh the the the next question is how do we go about it?
And uh we had people in our town that were in the board uh in the council there were uh real estate agents. So everybody I don't know if you remember Martha Kurt >> who was part of the and she had a very
very strict rule. They said anything that is related to real estate and everything that I might possible benefit I not going to vote on it because we be a conflict of interest. We have over
here people that have the same conflict of interest. We have over here people that basically took money from the developers in order to be elected and that creates a huge conflict of interest. people that work with the developers in the past and when you have
this type of conflict of interest I'm just asking if we >> Max do you have anything else to say about the development or you just accusing us of all things it gets a little tiring after a while the same story >> you understand that because if this gets
basically approved and then the courts would stop it from developing because there are conflict of interest then we will have the pediat will be subject to liability of whatever the developer is going to sue for and we have to
understand that the of interest is not something that should be taken lightly >> respectfully I give guidance on conflicts and there's no conflict of interest happening tonight >> well you that's what you might >> Max your time is up let's have someone else have an opportunity thank you for
your comments receive money. >> If you've got a problem, call the prosecutor's office and let's stop wasting everyone's time. >> Kevin, how you doing this evening? >> Very well, good to see you. >> Good evening, mayor and members of the
council. >> Really? >> Is it Is it working? >> Yes, you got to be really close to it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um I'm here just to mention two things. one, I think the project is needed. I think there could be adjustments made to it. Um, I think it's a positive step for
downtown. It's not at the center though. But beside that, I have two concerns. One is sunlight and the other is traffic. Now, I have a background in traffic engineering and the 600 car parking lot
is going to have more traffic on pen on excuse me on Westervelt Avenue where I happen to live. And I guess my concern is that I've seen already while the traffic design at the at the corner of
East Clinton um has I believe and again I haven't taken any studies but my sense of it is it's increased that people who want to bypass that traffic signal. So, it'd be nice if you guys could take a
look at that issue and be prepared when this project comes up. >> Fair enough. >> So, number one, um the satellite thing is when I was on the planning board, I think one of the things we recognize
that height can be an issue uh for other parts of Tennifly. And in the morning, I like to take my coffee in my in my kitchen and and the sunlight streams in and it the sun rises
so that I get this direct sunlight. And I haven't looked at a compass to see where this building is yet. Exactly. But I think it could have an impact. But so one of the things I'm I'm going to ask that you think about and those of you who are on the planning board, I don't
know, could you raise your hands? Oh, I know. And you are? >> No. >> No. Lauren is >> Lauren. Lauren. Okay. Well, one of the things we do to check on height in in a community is to in in the historic sense
is to look at a balloon test. And maybe a balloon test in this case would help understand what the height's going to look like. and also perhaps a question of what are the shadows at key times in the year. Uh the other thing to consider
is that with with the height variance you need to do visual analysis testing and and look at what that is. So I just wanted to put that on the record that I had I like sunlight. I don't like traffic even though I got a job doing it
but it's okay. >> Thank you Kevin. Appreciate it. Any more? Are there any more comments from anyone here in the audience? >> Drew, you win the prize. >> You win the prize for creativity. >> I'm sure you would really damage our
beautiful. >> Thank you, Judy. contrast to Judy. I don't think it's an eyesore. I think it's a lovely building. I think that Oh, sorry. Vanessa Constant. Um, I have three children in
the public school system. I was head of the mom PTA for two years and now an educator teaching fifth grade in Englewood. So, I know something about schools. And I know that we are all concerned about a classroom with 22 kindergarteners because that is complete
and total chaos, but that is not this building's fault. Right? The reason we have 22 kids is because we've gone from three classrooms to two classrooms. And we've gone from three classrooms to two classrooms because of declining enrollment in the public school in Tennifly. where we should be is at the
board meeting wanting to know why are the kids these families moving to 105 or these school systems and not going to the school system right because if you had three classes you would be able to go up again to more ch to more teachers but we don't have that and so we have
lots of trickle down effects of that in our school system teachers are not able to stay in their grade they have to be shifted because some sections have three and some sections have two so now you have third grade teachers moving to be fourth grade teachers will be fifth teachers depending on the class sizes of each grade. There are lots of issues
with our school system, but that building is not going to solve them and it's not going to really damage them. There is a cost issue. Every single school in New Jersey is underfunded. If you want your system to be great, you need to raise your taxes. There's no way around it. You have a 2% cap on how much
the board of ed can raise the education, the funding, right? We have and the board cannot be involved in this conversation. They cannot. There is a separation on purpose. So, we have to figure this out. I think they have good intentions, right? We can agree with that. This is a
beautiful building in a downtown that dramatically is underwhelming at best, right? And so, we should be driving this conversation. We should be, you know, about all that we can get out of you,
right? We should be talking about this with an urban redesign project that addresses all of the reasons why no one walks in Tennifly. Not just because it's a hilly town and nobody walks, but because we order everything off of Amazon, right? We have lots of issues. We want convenience and nobody walks in town. This building is not going to
solve that either. Okay? So, we have to be honest about what we want from our downtown. And what we want from our downtown apparently is less traffic. So, getting that railroad pass over best street so we can all school. Yes, >> that would be helpful. >> Let's present it all together,
>> right? We we're looking at a hodgepodge of situations that don't solve any of our problems, but we don't really care. >> So, we have to keep having this conversation and we have to figure out what is actually going to help our kids, our downtown, our traffic, and the
ugliness behind the stop and shop that is just an eyesore, right? We have gas stations. We have lots of things that are ugly. Well, let's fix it. show up again and keep showing up because this is not going to be done today. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Um I do have a question to Miss the attorney here. She was mentioning before that it was the zoning was approved for six stories assisting living. So basically instead of this we can have there a sixtory assisted living
that's like so that's okay for you guys and and then um 75 apartments and no restaurant because it was just going to be apartments. So, I feel like if we need to choose between the the option that six stories is approved, that's the
zoning for it, okay, for assisting living. And if we can choose between that or a nicer building with, you know, a bar, a restaurant, a a a ball, I actually know someone who celebrated her mitzvah at the Clinton Inn and she said
it was such a high-end venue and now it looks really really bad. It's an eyesore. really the the downtown looks bad. I wish I always travel. I do walk around and I'm like why it's not like Westwood? Why Westwood and be missing?
Like is it the train? Is that the mixed retail and and apartments thing? Like why Westwood looks so much nicer? Why our shops keep closing after 3 months? That's horrible statistics. Um >> that's what statistic was. I don't know.
But um I really think that's the height is is not an issue because they're going to be different building the same height on the same spot with this just a different purpose. So maybe we should just think about this is the much nicer. Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Okay. Is there anybody I have to I'll have to get everyone for the first time. Okay. Anyone else here who hasn't spoken that would like to speak? And then we're going to go to whoever's on Zoom if they have any comments. Okay, Omar, is there anyone on Zoom who would like to speak?
>> Lorraine Ferguson has her hand raised. >> Hi, Lorraine. How you doing? Why don't you give us your comments? >> Lorraine, >> unmute yourself. Hello, mic. Here we go. Oh, >> yeah. I'm going to Okay. Oh, who else?
Um, that's the only hand raised I see. >> That's the only hand raised. >> Yes. >> Okay. If she comes back on, we'll we'll acknowledge her. Cynthia, you want to make another comment? >> Go ahead. >> Um, I think the Okconor mentioned
occupancy tax. Um, and I think you were asking the question about what if the hotel doesn't work out. Um, how does that impact the revenue we get from the occupancy tax, right? Would the council be setting some kind of a floor if you
know we don't get the revenue that we anticipate from the occupancy tax? >> Well, the building will have to pay property tax. The hotel part will pay its property tax. But the question of if speculatively it's not a hotel in some distant future, which technically they
can't do that, um there would be no occupancy tax if there's no hotel there. I don't know if there's a better answer than that. >> No, >> because it's all speculative. Yeah, >> it's it's based on revenue. So that it revenue that's projected may not
may not happen. >> The bigger part is property tax which correct >> that always happens. Thank you. >> Anyone else here? Is there anyone else here? How you want to make a second comment, please? I forgot to mention before I was very
impressed with Lauren in a comment about the traffic in the surrounding area and I was very upset when I heard their traffic engineer who said they're basing on traffic studies from December and January. Well, that's before the traffic
light was turned on. So what really good does that traffic study do at this point? It's basically worthless. I think a track study needs to be done from the start. Um in addition like Lawrence said the
surrounding area and Kevin Shel said as well Wester belt roadlock I think also antiquated traffic light at Engel and Clinton that would need to be replaced. Remember, you're talking about when they
have an event, maybe 500 people at a banquet. All those people then heading towards the George Washington Bridge heading up Clinton. Um I know that that traffic line at England Clinton I think is from like 1960s or 50s. That's really outdated. I think the one at Hillside
and county as well. So those should be incorporated into the project if it is approved help the traffic flow make those smart traffic signals. Okay. Thank you, Howie. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments? Yes. Come to the
microphone. >> Hi, Ellen Petroan. I had more like a question when the guy um I think it was him suggested the 55 older community and you said it wouldn't be feasible because of the um the affordable housing. Yeah.
Why would the assisted living get approved then? >> So the assisted living was actually in the third round plan. Um and it had to be swapped out and those units had to be complied with in another manner. Um in
the fourth round plan again we have a limit on senior housing as well. The third round that was part of our plan. So it's just different rounds have different >> different plans and in this particular
fourth round plan we do not have we have maximize our senior credits already. >> Any other questions from any members of any residents? >> No. Was Lorraine back online or no? >> No, she here live. >> She's not there.
>> No, she's not. Okay. Deborah Shlector is uh raising her hand. >> You have anyone >> Shear >> Shector. Let me get >> Can you hear me? >> Am I unmuted? Go ahead and ask questions. Am I
>> unmuted? You're unmuted. Hello. >> Hello. >> Yes. Go ahead with your question. Just give us your name. >> Yep. Deborah Shear. >> Hi. >> Hi. Um I also am not opposed to cleaning
up the Clinton Inn and redevelopment and all of that. Uh my concern is >> my concern is >> having such a huge massive project on the corner
of Dean and Clinton where Clinton >> everything is reverberating as I'm speaking. I don't know why I'm speaking. I don't know why. >> Coming in clear. >> You're coming in clear here. >> Okay. Um we just got the traffic light after all those years. So, yay. And now
everybody is learning how to navigate that. I feel like a huge sixstory building >> building will on that small corner will be a very congested
>> situation. And also, I'd like to know what is that going to do to our taxes after I'm paying increased taxes with no kids in school for $76 million of windowsion >> for school improvements
>> for school improvements. >> So, those are my two concerns. >> So, those are my two concerns. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Now, is there anyone else? >> Yes. Uh Judy Jackson has her hands raised. Yes. >> Judy Jackson. >> Yes. Go ahead.
>> Go ahead. >> Uh, I first came here uh to visit in 2021 and the only in available in the town was the Clinton in
it was on the heels of CO. I needed to get here to be with my family. >> So, uh, I hoped it wasn't as bad as it was. And I don't need to entertain you with how quickly I think it declined
even more. However, after listening to all the comments tonight, I'd like to say to to Tennerly that this is an exciting opportunity for our community to welcome friends and
family and businesses at the very front door of the town. with a brand new in >> and a prime location >> that is here for us to show close this
town. People come here for the schools, >> for the community >> and I would hope that many would also decide to come and live here as I did. >> I did. >> Invest in Tennerly.
keep our tax dollars here. >> Show that we are welcome and open for business. And a new Clinton in allows a place for families, friends, students, all of us to celebrate our families, our holidays,
our school events together. And there is no other place in town of that size and that available space. So I should hope that the community will embrace this and seek the opportunity
that is so presently at hand and I look forward to it. I think it's a wonderful plan. I think it's a wonderful plan. >> The developers operate with integrity >> and it's been very interesting and
informative tonight. Thank you council for entertaining all of these comments on such a long drawing up meeting. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments.
Is there anyone else on Zoom who wants to make a comment? >> I see no other hands raised, ma'am. >> No other hands. No other final call. Anyone for the first time want to make comments here? And then we're going to close public comment time. Okay, we'll close public comment time. There were
just before I ask for a motion uh from Councilwoman Jackson. Um, I just want to reiterate there are a lot of questions tonight about details regarding water and and and and flooding and setbacks and engineering and traffic. That's not what we're handling here tonight, right?
We're making an amendment to an existing redevelopment plan which is primarily about zoning. All those excellent questions are going to be handled at the planning board level and all those details will be gotten into. We'll have the burrow's own experts that the burough pays for uh to make sure the
questions get answered. So, there's a lot of work ahead on uh on this and I encourage everyone to uh to come to the planning board meetings uh to to hear it all play out. Uh so, with that, uh Councilwoman Jackson, would you like to make a a motion to introduce 26-14, the
amended redevelopment plan? I move to introduce on first reading ordinance 26-14 and set the hearing for April 21st, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter. >> Could I have a second, please? >> Second.
>> Omar, could you read the title of the ordinance and conduct a roll call? >> Sure, ma'am. Ordinance number 26-14, an ordinance of the burough tenify adopting the 123-145 Dean Drive amended redevelopment plan
prepared by Burgess Associates, Inc. >> Council member Corsair. >> So, I just want to say that I spend hours and days working for this community because I love this community. Um, and I've listened to the
presentations. I've listened to everybody here. I've read all everything online and I've been talking to everyone I see about this non-stop for months. Um, and I definitely think this is a
great opportunity for the town and the community and for sure think that we should be moving um it forward to the next step at the planning board. So, my vote is yes. >> Council member Dean, >> come back to me please. Council member Jackson,
>> yes. >> Council member Michaels, >> yes. >> Council member Dr. Okconor, >> no. >> Council member, >> yes. >> Council member Dayton. >> Well, you can see that this proposal has the support of the council, but
>> majority of the council. >> The majority. Thank you. You know, I I just want to say first of all, I find it rude that the vote started while I was in the ladies room. Throwing that out there. Uh, >> it's not our responsibility to keep track of you, nor did I know where you were.
>> You know, I wasn't in my seat. >> My point is that this community was not 100% for this project. And I speak to the two developers. You've been asked by numerous residents for a little bit of moderation in this community in terms of the bulk, the density, the scale. One of
the most compelling um pieces of testimony I heard tonight was from our architect Brendan Lee telling you that it's an outlier that there's nothing else anywhere near it in terms of urban design. >> I'm paraphrasing.
>> Thank you. My I understand Mitchell Kger might not be the biggest fan of me because I question each element of this project as is my job to do. This project for area in need of um redevelopment is supposed to be done by an urban entity, an urban
renewal entity. It is supposed to be not with the goal of profit but to revitalize and help a community. So I ask where are the financials? I have yet to see a proposal of numbers here to justify the size and bulk and density.
This will be the biggest densest piece of land developed in Tennifly. We cannot undo it once developed. It I am not sure it has financial viability. It was raised about the financial viability of any hotel here, let alone a very
elaborate ambitious project. My goal in questioning and nitpicking on this project is to find something that doesn't overburden our taxpayers. I will tell you right now, this is not bringing in enough tax base to generate our
school children, our infrastructure needs, our traffic needs, maybe possibly our police, and possibly a ladder fire truck. These are not amorphous. These are actually dollars in your pocket. So, you know, it's funny. The person I'm relying on a whole lot to understand
this project is my own husband. We live here. We're raising our kids here. How will this affect our taxes, our pocketbook, our community, community resources, our school children? These are things that I take very seriously. So, while Mr. Kger might come after me and yell at me for not having enough
teen things in town, my job sitting up here is to understand a balance. I don't see a balance here. You know, it doesn't matter. My vote is irrelevant tonight. You've gotten your votes. I am seeking though a moderation of this project as we go forward. I am on your planning
board and I'll be seeking it there as well. So, you've heard from the community. You had a wonderful opportunity here. We want something done here. Everyone's excited, but please make it less bulk, make it less dense, make it less residential, less school
children. I also think financially it might be more successful in a little bit of a non-ambitious way. You know, you are opening up numerous restaurants and a spa and grocery store and I commend you for those things. The community is so
excited to have those including me. But at what tradeoff at the trade-off or can I even get to your supermarket cuz I'm stuck at the light seven lights back in town? You know, I mean really it has to have a balance. You live here, you work here. Mr. uh Kurt, I'm excited for you
to come here for Alpine to come over to Tennifly and try to build and I appreciate that. Really, I do. Thank you. And I think the community does. >> Oh, he's not here. Fine. I thought he was in the audience. Bye. So, you know, it doesn't matter my vote tonight. I'll see you at the next
meeting. >> So, is that a yes or a no? >> Yeah, >> I'll wait till the next meeting. I'll abstain. >> You're obtaining. Okay. Okay. Uh, let's move on to 26-15. Uh, Cola. Councilwoman Dayton, would you
like to make the motion, please? >> Move to introduce on first reading ordinance 2515 and set hearing >> 26. >> Oh, excuse me. Thank you. 26:15 and set the hearing for April 21st, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. or soon thereafter.
>> Could I have a second, please? >> Second. Omar, could you please read the title of the ordinance and conduct a roll call? >> Ordinance number 2615, calendar year 2026, ordinance to exceed municipal budget appropriation limits and to establish a cap bank NJSA 48 col
4-45.114. >> Council member Queric, >> yes. >> Council member Dayton, >> yes. >> Council member Jackson, >> yes. >> Council member Michaels, >> yes. >> Council member Dr. Okconor, >> yes. Council member of rural area. >> Yes. >> All right. So, let's see what happens
next. That's it. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> Uh, can I get a second? >> Thank you. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? >> All right. Thank you everyone. Thanks to the public for being here tonight.