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Borough Planner Bogart states that in addition to use and density issues, a “d” variance is required as are several “c” variances. She also mentions statutory criteria in her report. The developer will not “advance the goals and objectives of the local master plan”, the “positive criteria of the statute”. Negatives exist and it appears that this project would cause “substantial detriment to the public good” and “substantially impair the intent and the purpose of the zone plan and zoning ordinances” of Paramus. Reference was also made to the Medici vs. BPR case. It does not appear that the proposed use “inherently serves the public good” or that “the site is particularly suitable for the use”. It is “inconsistent with the intent and purposes of the zoning ordinances”. The “benefits of granting the variances would not substantially outweigh potential detriments”, would not “advance the intents and the purposes of the Municipal Land Use Law”, would not “represent a better zoning alternative than the existing requirements of the district”, and would not “benefit the surrounding neighborhood or community as a whole”. The Zoning Board of Adjustment should not grant any variances or allow any development on this land or further development in this single-family RML zone. |
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Paramus needs parks and open space.
Let's combat over-development and
preserve the 35+ acre parcel. |
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| The New Jersey DEP Smart Growth Site ( http://www.state.nj.us/dep/antisprawl/ ) mentions: "From the scenic hills of the Highlands to the sandy coastline of southern Cape May, New Jersey is blessed with a wealth of precious natural resources and unique landscapes. It is also the nation’s most densely populated state, and the most developed. Yet, new development claims another 50 acres every day, and 40 percent of this growth is occurring in critical natural resource areas and other environmental sensitive lands that must be preserved and protected. Ill-conceived land use and poorly designed development threatens our vital drinking-water supplies, devours our open space, spoils our landscape and creates traffic congestion that pollutes our air. Further, rampant sprawl imperils continued economic growth, jobs, housing and investment in New Jersey’s future. Before all of our remaining land is gone, DEP is taking action to balance New Jersey’s future growth needs with the fundamental needs of our citizens so that everyone can enjoy clean drinking water, clean air, a vibrant economy, good schools and recreational opportunities outdoors. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and all other agencies of state government focus on three central objectives: Make developed areas healthier, more appealing places – with cleaner air, cleaner water, and more parks and open space; Reduce the rate at which forests, open space, farmland and other undeveloped areas are being lost to development; and, Promote and accelerate development in urban and suburban areas or other growth areas identified through sound planning. To that end, the DEP is making significant regulatory changes that will strengthen protection of New Jersey’s drinking-water supplies and other vital natural resources by imposing stricter standards for development in environmentally sensitive areas. " |
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A 1998 Paramus Open Space Report states "Paramus needs natural open space and needs to acquire the last remaining natural areas within its borders before development removes it forever". |
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| All too often we see trees and open space being replaced by large scale or high density projects. Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney was recently quoted as saying “while 96 percent of land in the county has already been developed, it is my hope to continue to preserve the remaining 4 percent for historic preservation, parks, and farms”. He has also made mention of "protecting Bergen's natural beauty" and "preserving our open space". It was further stated that as County Executive, he has been "fighting overdevelopment by making a major commitment to preserving open space... doubled the open space trust fund, and preserved 1,000 acres of land that can never be developed". Others have mentioned combating over-development and preserving open space. We should work together on a local, county, and state level to protect this property (as it was initially intended) from this, or future development, and ensure that it is preserved as open space. |
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