Author Topic: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue  (Read 294472 times)

Offline just watching

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #180 on: January 22, 2011, 07:37:57 AM »
OK, so what happened at the hearing ????

Offline BLeafe

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #181 on: January 22, 2011, 12:23:35 PM »
It's in The Record today:

Update: Hospital parking study debated

Saturday, January 22, 2011
The Record

What's new: A traffic expert was cross-examined during a Hackensack zoning board hearing this week on a proposal to bring a 19-story acute care hospital to Prospect Avenue. Eric Keller, of Omland Engineering Associates, said that his parking study shows that the proposed facility would only need 417 parking spaces, as opposed to the 562 required under city ordinances. He also testified that a survey of employees at Prospect Heights, a nursing home across the street from where the acute care hospital is proposed, found that many of them were driven to work and didn't need to park a car on the site. He said he included the survey results as part of his report.

Keller was questioned by Theodore Moskowitz, an attorney representing himself and residents opposing the proposal. Moskowitz asked Keller why he didn't find out as part of the survey if employees were full time, part time or per diem, and how that would affect the traffic in the area.

Keller also answered questions posed to him by Christos Diktas, who represents another resident. More than 50 city residents attended the meeting, some who also disputed the findings in his report. "If your estimated numbers are wrong, what would happen to the overflow of people?'' asked Alexis Palinkas. But Keller said an increased number of employees will still not change his findings.

Board of Adjustment attorney Richard Malagiere also requested that Keller submit all the notes he used to form his report. Joseph Basralian, the attorney for the applicant, objected to the request, saying that he would fight it in court.

Background: The zoning board has been holding a hearing on the Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital since 2009. The plans call for the developer to demolish two-story homes on Prospect and Summit avenues to make room for the acute care hospital. The hospital would be built on 1.15 acres that extend from Prospect to Summit, with the building being constructed on the Prospect Avenue side, and a landscaped circular driveway on the Summit side, according to testimony. A five-deck underground parking garage would also be on the Summit side of the project.

According to testimony, the building would have 10 floors of patient rooms, a dialysis center with 63 stations and an adult medical day-care center for up to 180 people.

The proposal led neighbors in nearby high-rises and homes along Summit Avenue to form The Prospect Avenue Coalition to fight the plan and hire an attorney. Opponents of the project say it will bring increased traffic to the already congested area of the city and would harm property values.

What's next: Attorney Diktas, who represents a local resident, will bring his own expert to the next meeting. He said Stan Lacz will provide testimony as an architect, professional engineer and professional planner. The next meeting is scheduled for March 3.

— Monsy Alvarado


Reader Comments (1)

   1. Saturday January 22, 2011, 8:05 AM - John C.Holmes says:
      That area is f***ed...Planes,ambulances and fire engines go 24/7. To top it off,building collapses...No thanks.
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Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #182 on: February 11, 2011, 07:13:50 AM »
17536
SAVE THE DATE - THURSDAY MARCH 3, 2011
HACKENSACK ZONING BOARD SPECIAL MEETINGS AT 7 PM
CITY HALL 3RD FLOOR AUDITORIUM AT 65 CENTRAL AVENUE
BERGEN PASSAIC LONG TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL APPLICATION

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #183 on: February 25, 2011, 09:48:00 PM »
17745
REMINDER - THURSDAY MARCH 3, 2011 AT 7PM
HACKENSACK ZONING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING
CITY HALL 3RD FLOOR AUDITORIUM AT 65 CENTRAL AVENUE
BERGEN PASSAIC LONG TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL APPLICATION

This from a neighbor living at the World Plaza:

"See attached photos taken Thursday morning Feb 24 2011. After 25 minutes of attempting to back in and pull-in cab first The food delivery truck crashed into the drive way lights/guides damaging the truck and the property of Prospect Heights center. This is not the first time this has happened. In addition, while attempting to pull into the driveway the truck blocked traffic preventing cars on Prospect ave to pass."

The truck which will make the food and other deliveries to the Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital will be a 44 foot tractor trailer. Deliveries will be made approximately twice a week. Traffic will be stopped in both directions so the tractor trailer can back into the hospital driveway. Don't forget their kind proposal to take away 4 street parking spaces in front of the hospital so the truck could more easily make this manuever.


Offline just watching

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #184 on: February 26, 2011, 10:29:49 PM »
I understand that there is 33 acres of land available for redevelopment at the eastern end of Atlantic Street.  I'm talking about the unused Record campus.  And it's a straight shot up Atlantic Street to Hackensack University Medical Center.  Probably about the same distance from the hospital, except east instead of north.

I bet that this proposed monstrosity on Summit and Prospect Avenues, aka "Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care" could be built on a portion of The Record campus, the same square footage of usable space, but a little more spread out. Let's say covering 6 or 7 acres.  And without the expense of digging 3 stories underground or constructing such a tall tower. Cheaper construction.  Why can't this developer be pursuaded to make a bid on that property.  I bet it would fly through the permitting process in 2 or 3 hearings, tops, and with zero opposition.

But that would make sense.  Why do something that makes sense when you can fight for something for YEARS, and try to win at the end

Offline bergen07601

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #185 on: March 03, 2011, 12:08:37 AM »
Turns out we have a few more opportunities to save Prospect Avenue. Everyone: Bring as many friends and relatives as you can with you so we can pack the room. The last meeting should have been standing room only like it was at the beginning stages of the hearings. Where is everyone? Let's keep up the pressure -- the hearings will soon be over and we will know Prospect Avenue's fate. We've gotten this far because of those who  made the effort to attend every meeting and be heard. We are in the home stretch -- we need a great turn out tomorrow.  I will reiterate: Please just show up: be seen and be heard if the opportunity presents itself. Saying "I object" or "I am against the building" will suffice.

Offline elizabeth

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #186 on: March 03, 2011, 06:59:39 AM »
Thank you Bergen- very well stated. We have to fill the seats tonight! It would also help if everyone called Monsey Alvarado at The Record and ask her to cover the meeting tonight....call her at 201-937-3081. In my opinion, the Record has not given this issue enough coverage. Keep in mind, that this month marks 2 years since this LTACH nonsense began!!  Yes, they want to wear us down, no doubt. Tonight's meeting is important and should prove interesting. The LTACH traffic expert has been subpoeneaed to produce non-privileged file notes in connection to his "expert" report. I encourage everyone to attend this meeting, we must show the zoning board how much we care about our neighborhood. This monstrosity LTACH will be our worst nightmare if it's allowed to be built. Let's not forget what our street was like during the garage collapse in July.....mulitply by 100, add tractor trailers, construction mess, etc. etc. !! There will be no quality of life on Summit & Prospect if this LTACH is built.

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #187 on: March 09, 2011, 07:45:37 AM »
17997
SAVE THE DATE - THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2011
HACKENSACK ZONING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING AT 7 PM
CITY HALL 3RD FLOOR AUDITORIUM AT 65 CENTRAL AVENUE
BERGEN PASSAIC LONG TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL APPLICATION

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #188 on: March 22, 2011, 08:40:43 AM »
18651

During the public session of Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital hearings many residents have voiced their concern over the additional traffic congestion which would be brought to the area if this hospital is built and how there are already unbearable traffic jams near Prospect Avenue and Passaic Street - some of this traffic stemming from the Veterans Health Administration building located at 385 Prospect Avenue which recently made improvements to their ramp entrance/exit on the Prospect Avenue side.

We have noticed some new construction on the expansive front lawn of 385 Prospect Avenue which had previously submitted a proposal to build a parking lot in the front of the building and subsequently was turned down by the Hackensack Zoning Board. We have learnd that the Zoning Board's decision was overturned in court. Now a driveway will be added on Berry Street as an entrance to the parking and an exit driveway will be built on the north end of the property (next to the other 2 driveways).

More congestion for Berry Street.

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #189 on: April 08, 2011, 07:56:52 AM »
19140 Attached is a copy of the Hackensack Zoning Board Special Meeting transcript dated March 3, 2011 re: Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital. I was unable to attend this meeting and the following are from notes from a Prospect Avenue Resident:

The witness, Mr. Lacz, was unruffled and a well spoken gentleman. Then he testified and apparently there are 53 violations in LTACH's building plan. Mr. Basrailian will cross examine Mr. Lacz at next meeting. Mr. Ditkas' questions were excellent, point by point re: statutes, etc. Mr. Lacz did say that given the water table and pressure, most likely other buildings could suffer structural damage w/ the garage digging. If  you get copy of testimony, you can see details. There wasn't any time for audience questions. I think it was a most interesting meeting, and Mr.Lacz has 45 years experience as engineer, architect & planner.
 
Mr. Ditkas is counsel for a Prospect Avenue Resident and Mr. Lacz is their expert witness. Mr. Basrailian is counsel for the applicant, Richard Pineles. I believe there will be an opportunity for the public to question this witness.


SAVE THE DATE - THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2011
HACKENSACK ZONING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING AT 7 PM
CITY HALL 3RD FLOOR AUDITORIUM AT 65 CENTRAL AVENUE
BERGEN PASSAIC LONG TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL APPLICATION
« Last Edit: April 17, 2011, 11:09:56 AM by swapcatsr »

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #190 on: April 16, 2011, 07:00:22 PM »
19406
REMINDER - THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2011
HACKENSACK ZONING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING AT 7 PM
CITY HALL 3RD FLOOR AUDITORIUM AT 65 CENTRAL AVENUE
BERGEN PASSAIC LONG TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL APPLICATION

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #191 on: April 26, 2011, 08:18:20 PM »
19829 I noticed something new at the corner of Passaic Street and Summit Avenue - a left turning signal when crossing both ways over Passaic Street. Was the part of the Veterans Administration building parking lot expansion application to mitigate traffic jams in that area? I am not driving around these mean streets during the daytime. Has it helped any? Let us not forget that a similar proposal was made for the intersection at Summit Avenue and Central Avenue by Pineles crew.

REMINDER -THURSDAY APRIL 28, 2011
HACKENSACK ZONING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING AT 7 PM
CITY HALL 3RD FLOOR AUDITORIUM AT 65 CENTRAL AVENUE
BERGEN PASSAIC LONG TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL APPLICATION
« Last Edit: April 26, 2011, 11:47:54 PM by swapcatsr »

Offline elizabeth

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #192 on: April 27, 2011, 02:04:43 PM »
The zoning board meeting tomorrow night is crucial- please come and fill the seats! This may be our last opportunity to voice our opposition to this horrendous LTACH proposal. It is still my opinion that the Record has not given this story the coverage it deserves. If this were a Ridgewood issue, would the Record pay attention???? Call Monsey Alvarado at Record 201-937-3081 and ask why no coverage! We can defeat this, just as PC air rights was trounced. If you think this building won't affect you because you do not live on Prospect or Summit Avenues, you are wrong....the traffic issues will domino far beyond these avenues! Plus, my bottom line is this is a residential neighborhood, what's the point of zoning ordinances if they can be overturned by someone like Mr.Pineles and his money???  Let's show we care about our neighborhoods--come to the meeting!

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #193 on: April 28, 2011, 03:14:41 PM »
19906           MEETING CANCELLED TONIGHT

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #194 on: May 12, 2011, 12:52:45 PM »
20283

SAVE THE DATES - TUESDAY MAY 24, 2011 and JUNE 28, 2011
HACKENSACK ZONING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING
RE: BERGEN PASSAIC LONG TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL APPLICATION
« Last Edit: May 15, 2011, 09:45:32 AM by swapcatsr »