Mercury Rising - Berry Street

[just watching]

I occasionally scan the Planning and Zoning dockets for Hackensack, available on www.hackensack.org.

I was alarmed to see that Mercury Rising is back for the same property, which is 2/3 of the square block bounded by Second Street, Berry Street, and James Street, and First Street, except for the houses on First Street.

They originally got approval to make 17 luxury townhouses, and they got the approval by saying that the existing zoning would allow for 9 two-family houses (18 units), but they would rather build townhouses. The zoning is two-family houses.  They explained that there would be much more open green space on the property, and by making a multi-unit complex, they'd be able to construct a huge central underground retaining system to hold stormwaters for the entire complex.  The approval expired because they couldn't break ground.  Probably the economy.

Now they are scheduled to appear before the Zoning Board again. And this time it is for a large apartment building. No more townhouses, no two-family houses.  There is no justification whatsoever.

And I don't care about the financial troubles of Mercury Rising.  They built townhouses on Central Ave near Rochelle Ave, and they had to be auctioned off at low prices because there were no buyers. And that's for a nice quiet town, Rochelle Park. This company has no money to build this apartment building. It's all about increasing the value of the property with approvals to build a large apartment building, and then flipping it to someone else. 

What's the chances of this getting approved.  Given the political connections of Mercury Rising, I'd say it's pretty good. At this point, the Zoning Board should say "NO". I'd rather see the land sit vacant until it is sold to someone who wants to make duplex two-family houses, or the economy turns around again and the 17 townhouses are viable.

[Oratam_Weaping]

I would be in favor of a moratorium of medium and high density residential and commercial units over the entire hill area of Hackensack, with an emphasis to place such developments paralelle to Main street from River Street to State Street. And high density tower on the East side of River Street should incorporate a pedestrian/bicycle bridge, and two could be easily added to either side of the train overpass at River & Mercer.  That is an ideal location for a 24 story residential where the Record was located, and an acute care center where Circle Brake was located. Establishing high density mixed use there would make transportation grants possible to rethink that rail line.

[Oratam_Weaping]

Perhaps it is already rented. SEE ATTACHMENT

[just watching]

I doubt it.  It's barely economical to build at all in this economy. They are not going to aim for the low-end of the housing market. 

The point is that the neighborhood is now transforming from one-and-two family houses into apartments to something of much greater density.  I'm sure the applicant will point to the MLK Seniors Center, only 1/2 block away, and say that the whole neighborhood is going multiunit.

At least the 17 townhouses would have been less density than the nine 2-family houses.

[itsmetoo]

This area was recently zoned for 1 and 2 family homes.  Mercury Rising was granted the variance to build townhouses on the property.  They made a new application to build 30 apartment rental units.  It sited the downturn in the market for this new application.  It is unfair to the residents of that neighborhood to have to subject their property values to Mercury Rising.  Mercury Rising has suggested that it will alleviate a need for affordable apartment units.  Hackensack has more than its share of affordable housing units.  It has already taken on the units for other towns as a result of COAH.  When is enough enough?  At one point, after the downturn of the market, Mercury attempted to get the residents to agree to building a long term nursing facility.  This application was never made because the local Elks lodge there refused to agree to the solicitation by Mercury to use their parking area for a ridiculous price of $600 per year for 55 years.  That ridiculous request asked that the Elks notify the  landowner 21 days in advance of any events taking place at the lodge.  The Elks Club is a pre-existing structure and has peacefully existed with its residents.  The addition of 30 apartments units without appropriate parking does not make sense.  Additionally, the City has recently  zoned the area between Atlantic and Essex from Prospect to Railroad as a medical zone.  Where does it stop.  If this continues, Hackensack Medical Center will be asking for permission to build in this area which is largely populated by minorities, and would certainly run them out of the city.  It should not be built.  How would other residents of Hackensack feel if such a complex would be suggested on Ross Avenue or in the Hillers section. I am sure, they would more than likely be upset like residents of this neighborhood. Those neighborhoods, like this one, should never be subjected to such a construction.  The number of variances Mercury is requesting includes height changes, parking changes, fencing allowances, and decreasing the setbacks from the street.  In addition, it calls for parking which backs out into an area that already has issues of parking.  These apartment should be built on River Street, not here.  There has been innuendo throughout the city that the owners are politically connected.  That may or may not be true but the suggestions bare more credibility to this rumour when the applicants have the audacity to even come before the Zoning Board when they have not paid taxes to the City since 2010.  Why has the property not been placed on the rolls for a tax sale.  Maybe there is a political connection?

[just watching]

Thanks for the support and your comments.

You have a great idea, the city needs to pursue a tax lien sale.

[regina]

Tax lien sale was held in July. They owe this year's taxes and that sale won't be until next July.

[itsmetoo]

This property is again listed for a hearing tonight.

[itsmetoo]

It was removed for the docket and the developer will have to re-notice everyone if it is to before it will be considered.

[itsmetoo]

Boy, I had problems putting together a sentence yesterday!