Enormous changes are occurring in and around Upper Saddle River, right before residents eyes, but you wouldn’t easily see it unless you looked hard.
The 2 developments by Toll Brothers – despite Stop Work Orders and other setbacks – are still creeping forward steadily. Houses are sprouting up and sometime soon homes will be occupied. New residents will arrive to start their life in the peaceful, pastoral community.
Except it may not be quite as they think.
Word is out that a project is underway on the border of Upper Saddle River and Chestnut Ridge / Airmont / Ramapo that will alter the character and life of those in the area who thought they were living a peaceful, semi-rural life.
Plans are underway in the neighborhood of Hillside Ave for the construction of several non-residential buildings that will impact the area significantly. The plans will increase the traffic, numbers of people, lighting and the atmosphere of the area will be enormously impacted. Not to mention, concerns over water use and its disposal. Potential hours of operation will extend late into the evening and with the anticipated tree removal will result in significant light pollution and noise, from lighting in the parking lot and vehicles entering and exiting. The residents of Hampshire Hill are aware of this, as is the Mayor and Council. However. it is unclear how many other residents in town actually know as this appears to have been kept quite quiet.
Why?
The semi-rural nature of Upper Saddle River is a major draw for people who want the address, the schools, the lifestyle. However, the potential arrival of facilities that operate for many hours of the day and into the late evening, and are not residential will impact Upper Saddle River. The character of the area will suffer. Whether it only affects Hampshire Hill and Plymouth Drive is yet to be seen. However, do other residents who have invested a million or two in their homes really want to just wait and find out?
Stay tuned.