ANCHORAGE COVE: The project was approved by Hackensack Zoning Board of Adjustment on August 24, 2004. Three residents spoke in favor of the project: Eric Martindale, Ted Dunn, and Kathleen Salvo. Nobody spoke against the application, and the project was approved unanimously. Groundbreaking is anticipated in the Spring of 2005. Minor NJDEP permits are still required. The project will include a segment of the Hackensack Waterfront Walkway, built 16-feet wide, and to the standards of the NJDEP.
WHAT IS THE LIKLIHOOOD THAT IT WILL ACTUALLY BE BUILT: About 14 years ago, the same builder, Mr. Trobiano, built a mid-rise building on Moonachie Road known as Lilton Manor. This is widely known as the most upscale multi-unit complex in the First Ward of Hackensack. Since Trobiano has already completed one nice project in Hackensack, it is widely believed that Anchorage Cove will actually be built, as opposed to other approved projects that can’t get financing or couldn’t be sold to someone with financing. This is important, since Hackensack has a history of being plagued with half-built projects lying abandoned for many years. As long as the housing market stays strong, it will be built.
ONE DEFICIENCY TO THE PROJECT: Eric Martindale requested that the site plan be amended so to include a one-story 20 x 30 foot multi-purpose community room with an adjacent patio area. Initially, this can be used as a sales office for the developer. Eventually, it can be used for condo association meetings, block watch meetings, holiday parties, etc. The idea is that the multipurpose room will help create an internal sense of community and foster neighborliness. Two sites were suggested: (a) on the north side of the "point" of the internal courtyard, or (b) at the southeast corner of the site, with a patio facing the river. At this time, it is not believed that this feature will be added.
Mr. Trobiano said after the hearing that the lack of a multi-purpose room also became an issue at his other project, Lilton Manor, and the condo owners there who wanted it couldn’t get a majority to agree to fund its construction. Had it been built with the project, it wouldn’t have been an issue.
NEXT STEP: Although the project is approved, a few relatively minor details of the site plan will be amended. The applicant will present them at the next meeting.
Photo #1: (Below) Artists rendition of the 88-unit project. There are 44 townhouses, each with two units. One unit occupies the first floor and half the second floor, totals 1350 square feet, and has 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The other unit occupies the third floor and half the second floor, totals 1810 square feet, and has 3 bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms. Units are expected to sell between $300,000 and $500,000, with the highest selling prices along the water. There are 12 homes with a direct river view.
Photo #2: (Below) Architects rendering of the front of the units. Extra care was given to architectural details around the windows. The exterior surface will be brick up to at least 8 feet, and vinyl siding above that.
Photo #3(Below): Architects rendering of the rear of the units. Notice the architectural detail over the garage doors.
Photo #4(Below): Site plan map prepared by the engineering firm. Notice that the rear yards of all the units contain the garages, and all the rear yards face on the internal loop roadway. The front yards face either: (a) South River Street, (b) the interior courtyard, or (c) the Waterfront Walkway. The architects felt that this was an important quality of life aspect of the site plan.
This is in direct contrast with the townhouses currently under construction at the corner of Prospect and Anderson Streets. That applicant insisted on creating an interior parking area with the front doors and garages all facing the asphalt heart of the project. Each unit will have a tiny private rear yard, many of which will face Anderson Street or Prospect Avenue.
For Anchorage Cove, although landscaping occupies a relatively small percent of the site, the applicant made much larger than required landscaped buffers along the Waterfront Walkway and along River Street, in addition to creating a triangular central courtyard over 200 feet long, and about 70 feet wide at its base.