Three Woodland Park sites eyed for affordable-housing developments

WOODLAND PARK — The borough could one day be home to a site similar to the Fair Lawn Promenade on Route 208.

With it could come thousands of additional housing units, including some for affordable housing. 

Mayor Keith Kazmark likened plans for a mixed residential and commercial locale on the south end of McBride Avenue at the Kearfott site to the Fair Lawn destination, as Woodland Park attempts to meet its affordable-housing requirement. The spot was one of three described at Wednesday's Borough Council meeting that could be redeveloped along with Kearfott's parking lot near Lackawanna Avenue and the Bank of New York site on Rifle Camp Road. 

Despite the grandiose plans, the reality of more development in the borough was one that residents and officials alike did not want to face. Kazmark said no one on the council wants more multi-housing units but the Council on Affordable Housing dictates they must be provided.

"The Legislature in New Jersey has failed to deliver on affordable housing," Kazmark said, adding that it's far from a perfect system.

Woodland Park is required to provide 375 additional affordable-housing units, Business Administrator Kevin Galland said. That number would represent only 15 percent of the required units, which would bring the total to 2,500. 

Zoning ordinances meant to pave the way for the the developments were originally expected to be voted on during Wednesday's meeting, but were tabled until July 18 because they may need to be amended, the mayor said. 

What's on the proposed sites?

The Kearfott property is home to a defense contracting company. The company opened in 1918 and has locations throughout the world. 

Kearfott's Woodland Park space between the Passaic River and Lackawanna Avenue handles guidance and navigation technology and once had more than 3,000 employees. Now fewer than 200 workers are there, Kazmark said. 

Representatives from Kearfott informed the council that they plan to leave the space within the next year or two.

"We were going to need to plan to redevelop that property in town anyway," the mayor said.

Kearfott's parking lot and the Bank of New York location on Rifle Camp Road were the other proposals, but those developments are not expected to be as large. Given the timing of Kearfott's departure, that one could happen sooner while the others may be down the road, Kazmark said. 

The Fair Lawn Promenade that was compared to the Kearfott plan features large apartment buildings but also restaurants, a Starbucks and a research center.

"That is the type of downtown development, residential-commercial mix, we are looking to achieve on this site," Kazmark said.

Worry about overdevelopment

Much like the mayor, several residents spoke out Wednesday against building more housing in Woodland Park.

"When do we start preserving what we have instead of tearing everything down?" asked Mary Nesnay. 

Ann Schnakenberg of the Save Rifle Camp Park Coalition said she liked the idea for the main Kearfott site. However, she worried about the parking lot's proximity to the Passaic River, and the bank's location between Rifle Camp Park and Garret Mountain Reservation.

Schnakenberg advocated for a trail between the two parks instead. She also said it becomes a slippery slope when approving new developments.

Woodland Park residents rallied against a disc golf course plan at Rifle Camp Road last year, and the project was canceled.

Mary Walsh wants borough officials to do all they can to preserve the tranquility of the area by the Bank of New York.

"We also know the presence of nature soothes the soul and takes away stress," Walsh said. "If the land is preserved and connects between Garret Mountain and Rifle Camp Park, you’ve done something worthwhile for all people." 

Other residents brought up concerns about the impact on the local schools. Kazmark said district officials are currently doing an analysis of what the projects could mean for their population.

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Email: jongsma@northjersey.com