Affordable Housing
A toxic phrase in and around New Jersey where the population is increasing and land is being gobbled up and the face of communities is changing beyond recognition.
Is this a friend or a foe, a necessary evil? There are different sides to the debate. But this is for another time.
In the past few weeks news has arrived that Saddle River has agreed to Affordable Housing Units in their community that will bring a large number of new residents. The face of the community is going to change radically. Very little has been heard from the mayor and council of Saddle River. However with a multi-million dollar price tag to connect both water and sewer and a community high school that will bear the burden of students questions are inevitable. Who is going to pay for this? Residents of Bergen County? The state? Are the residents of Ho Ho Kus, Upper Saddle River and Allendale going to bear the cost of numerous high school students?
What are the answers?
It appears Montvale also will be having housing units opposite Wegmans, bringing with it gridlock through out the day not just in the evening hours.
The proposed development at Hillside Avenue will bring huge volumes of traffic if the intended mikvah proceeds. However, if any of the land is used for housing units it will be impossible. The development style in Rockland County is multi-bedroom units – don’t think 2 or 3.
And in the middle of all this traffic is Upper Saddle River.
Grand Avenue – Chestnut Ridge Road
East Saddle River Road / West Saddle River Road – Allendale Avenue
East Saddle River Road / Lake Street
Upper Saddle River is going to be choked.
Meanwhile the Upper Saddle River mayor’s newsletter makes no mention of any of this, apparently acting as if everything is fine.
Meetings Worth Attending:
Tonight Monday March 2, 2020 Saddle River Mayor and Council Work Session
Tonight Monday March 2, 2020 Montvale Mayor and Council Work Session
Thursday March 5, 2020 Upper Saddle River Mayor and Council Meeting
Councilman Roger DeBernadine resigned February 7, 202 – new appointment to be made within 30 days
Additional Information
Saddle River: Affordable Housing Agreement
Saddle River: Signed Settlement Agreement
Saddle River: Audio of Special Meeting February 10, 2020 available for download here – 3rd item
