Author Topic: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue  (Read 294467 times)

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #255 on: December 03, 2012, 03:15:46 AM »
 37155 Attached is a copy of the summons and complaint.

Bergen Passaic LTACH, LLC v. City of Hackensack, et al.
Docket No. BER-L-8293-12


If you have any questions please email: prospectavenuecoalition@yahoo.com
« Last Edit: December 18, 2012, 11:26:24 AM by swapcatsr »

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #256 on: January 05, 2013, 06:36:16 AM »
38442
NORTHJERSEY.COM : COMMUNITY

Super trials and superstorms: 2012 proved newsworthy for city

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2013
BY JENNIFER VAZQUEZ
NEWS EDITOR
HACKENSACK CHRONICLE
PRINT | E-MAIL

HACKENSACK — This past year was one of monumental events — from superstorms to Super Bowl wins to historical elections and everything in between. The City of Hackensack did not trail far behind when it comes to having a number of occurrences captivate residents throughout 2012. The year was engulfed with up-to-dates on the city's former disgraced police chief who was charged, and later found guilty, on fraud and misconduct charges; interfaith residents who were shocked and shaken up by anti-Semitic vandalism and acts of crime around Bergen County were drawn together in the name of peace and solidarity; and Mother Nature showed her fury and wrath as Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc in the area. Here is a look at this year's most compelling local stories.

JANUARY

Hospital voted down

After years of debate, the Hackensack Zoning Board voted down a plan to build a 19-story hospital on Prospect Avenue.
The unanimous vote put a stop to the proposed project known as the Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital (LTCH). Zoning Board members struck down the plan, citing concerns over traffic, parking and quality of life issues. The project generated concerns among residents living in the vicinity, specifically on Prospect and Summit avenues. As concerns ran rampant, residents hired two attorneys to present their opposition to the hospital.

http://www.northjersey.com/community/185627152_Super_trials_and_superstorms__2012_proved_newsworthy_for_city.html?page=allhttp://



Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #257 on: January 09, 2013, 11:39:28 AM »
38527

The County Seat
December 2012

Rejected Developer Sues City


A development company known as Bergen Passaic LTACH filed a lawsuit in state Superior Court in Hackensack on Nov. 7, seeking to overturn the city’s rejection of its building proposal.

LTACH filed an application before the Hackensack Zoning Board to erect a 24-story building on Prospect Avenue, between Golf Place and Berry Street. The structure was to be used as a long-term acute care facility with a dialysis unit an adult medical day care.

There were 23 zoning hearings during the application process as well as several revisions to the original plans. The developers reduced the number of stories from 24 to 19 and the height of the building from 276 feet to 227. The developers argued that although the neighborhood was not zoned for this type of facility, there was a need for the service in Bergen County. During the course of the hearings, the meeting room was packed with concerned neighbors objecting to the plan. After hearing testimony from all sides, the zoning board denied the application.

Hackensack City Attorney Joseph Zisa said the city would defend itself against the developers’ lawsuit and defend the zoning board members’ decision.

“We will defend ourselves with the same vigor and resolve that the city defended and won litigation when a developer attempted to build a high-rise structure above railroad tracks on Prospect Avenue.”

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #258 on: March 06, 2013, 12:45:59 AM »
40172

LTACH APPEAL WATCH

The matter has gone before Superior Court Judge Alexander Carver for a management conference.

To better prepare ourselves for a potentially prolonged court battle ProspectAvenueCoalition is asking the residents of Hackensack to vote in the mayoral election on Tuesday May 14, 2013.

Why you should vote? A newly elected Mayor and Council may decide to cut litigation costs to the City of Hackensack. If the City of Hackensack chooses to settle rather than continue to fight the Pineles lawsuit then the Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital will be built on Prospect and Summit Avenues. They may also appoint a new City Attorney. The incumbent City Attorney successfully fended off several lawsuits filed by PC Air Rights (Excelsior III). If a new City Attorney is appointed we would like (prior to casting our vote) some assurance with respect to their credentials and win record.

To ensure that the candidates support our opposition to an LTACH being built in a single/multi-family residential zone instead of the area surrounding Hackensack Hospital which is zoned specifically for a project of this type, ProspectAvenueCoalition has begun planning Meet the Candidates nights at some of the condo/coop buildings on Prospect and Overlook Avenues. The candidates may hold their own candidate night at a larger public venue. If they do we will post the information here.

If you would like a mail-in ballot please email ProspectAvenueCoalition@yahoo.com.

Offline Victor E Sasson

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #259 on: March 08, 2013, 12:03:01 PM »
Why not move this proposed tower to the property owned by North Jersey Media Group on River Street -- about 20 acres? It will make the Borgs even richer, and everyone else happier.

Who is to say the owners won't apply for non-profit status after several years of paying full property taxes?

Hackensack doesn't need another hospital.

Victor E. Sasson
City Council hopeful
Eye on The Record

Offline just watching

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #260 on: March 09, 2013, 08:57:54 AM »
This has been suggested by several people over the years.  Construction costs would be much less.  It would be cheaper to build a 5-story structure with a bigger footprint, and cheaper to landfill the 20 acres to get it above flood-level than to dig underground and make 5 levels of underground expensive masonry parking garage. 

The problem is the land cost.  Even though they paid real high for those houses on Summit Ave, their total real estate investment would be higher at The Record campus.  Especially considering who owns it now, and how greedy he is for money. Also, Pineles wants the prestige of being on Summit and Prospect Ave.

All in all, it's a good idea.  There would be less legal costs for Pineles as well, and less risk of spending so much time and then losing in the end.  I guess he thinks his legal precedent for his other building on Prospect Ave is rock-solid.

[Editor's note: The next three comments were moved here: Potentially Defamatory Posts/Member Responsibility]
« Last Edit: March 13, 2013, 11:08:03 PM by Editor »

Offline Editor

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #261 on: March 29, 2013, 10:14:08 AM »
Candidates running for the Hackensack council take part in event
Friday, March 29, 2013
BY  JENNIFER VAZQUEZ
NEWS EDITOR
Hackensack Chronicle
   
Candidates vying for a seat in the council, following the 2013 city elections, took part in a Meet the Candidates event held at The Whitehall luxury co-op on March 19.


Candidates running in the 2013 city council elections took part in a Meet the Candidates event at The Whitehall co-op on March 19. The event’s main topic was where the candidates stood regarding the possible Bergen Passaic Long-Term Care Hospital (LTACH) project.
TOM HART/PHOTO

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Candidates running in the 2013 city council elections took part in a Meet the Candidates event at The Whitehall co-op on March 19. The event’s main topic was where the candidates stood regarding the possible Bergen Passaic Long-Term Care Hospital (LTACH) project.

The event, sponsored by the Prospect Avenue Coalition, brought dozens of local residents interested in the topic of discussion: the candidates’ stance on the Bergen Passaic Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH).

The company behind the proposed 19-story medical center sued the city in November over the denial of its application. The applicant wanted to demolish homes on Prospect and Summit avenues in order to construct LTACH which would have 10 patient room floors, a dialysis center and an adult medical day-care center.

Candidates for the Coalition for Open Government, Citizens for Change, and Victor Sasson — who is running as an independent — stated their opposition to the project, and promised continuing doing so, if elected to council.

Whitehall unit owner Murray Runin mediated the event.

Traffic flow, impact on the quality of life, the number of medical centers in the Hackensack area and excessive noise levels were some of the reasons, given by candidates, to their opposition of LTACH.

Candidates from opposing slates agreed that if it were to be built, LTACH should not be erected in a residential area but in a proper hospital zone.

"This building does not belong in this area," John Labrosse, current councilman and Citizens for Change candidate, said. "It belongs in a hospital zone area."

Coalition for Open Government slate candidate and current Board of Education member Jason Nunnermacker echoed Labrosse’s comment.

"I would approve the project only for the zone it is used for," Nunnermacker said.

The fact that Hackensack has sufficient hospitals was another motive behind the opposition of LTACH construction.

"Hackensack has enough hospitals," Sasson said.

Citizens for Change candidate Kathy Canestrino said that she, along with the rest of her slate, will "form a coalition to stop" the construction of the medical center.

"I am vehemently opposed to such development on this block," she said.

"I and [Citizens of Change candidates] are against this monstrosity," Citizens of Change candidate Rose Greenman said. "This project will have a negative impact on the property value and quality of life."

Both Citizens of Change and Coalition for Open Government candidates voiced their approval of seeking the best, equipped professionals specializing in matters of the sort to assist the city in fighting this litigation process.

"This issue concerns me because I live in this area," Coalition for Open Government candidate and current planning board member Joanne Mania Colon said. "We need a good, strong legal team to fight this battle."

David Sims, who is running under the Citizens for Change platform mentioned that the noise level from the construction, and afterwards by ambulances driving to and from the medical center, is of concern.

"This project will be too noisy and big for this area," he said. "We should protect the quality of life."

Residents in attendance echoed Sims’, and the rest of the panel’s, concerns regarding the quality of life and noise.

Coalition for Open Government candidate Joseph Barreto said the building can pose a safety risk for pedestrians, in particular young students walking to and from the surrounding schools.

When one attendee asked the panel if they would fight the legal proceedings with taxpayers’ money, opposing candidates Labrosse and Nunnermacker said yes.

"We would have to," Labrosse said. "Everyone pays their taxes so the city can fight your battles for you when the time comes. This is one of those times."

Sasson said that the last thing the city needs is another property they "cannot tax" — same as Hackensack University Medical Center.

Out of the 11 candidates vying for election, six said they lived within a close enough proximity to be effected by the project if it is constructed.

Email: vazquez@northjersey.com

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #262 on: April 01, 2013, 12:33:44 PM »
41500 The Meet the Candidates night at the Whitehall was quite a success. It was well attended by the unit owners and many questions pertaining to the LTACH were asked. Each of the 11 candidates stated their opposition to the construction of the Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital LLC on Prospect and Summit Avenues.

ProspectAvenueCoalition has organized future Meet the Candidate nights at the Baridge House, The Camelot and Devonshire.

The Applications for Vote by Mail left by the Whitehall meeting room door were all taken by the end of the night.

Voter Registration Deadline: 21 days before Election Day.
http://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/form_pdf/voter-regis-forms/bergen-voter-reg-form-062212.pdf

Deadline for Vote by Mail Application: Applications must be received in the County Clerk's office (not postmarked) by close of business no later than seven days prior to Election Day. You, or an Authorized Messenger acting on your behalf, may also apply for a Mail-In Ballot in person at the County Clerk's office at any time up until 3pm on the day before an election.
http://www.bergencountyclerk.org/web_content/pdf/voting/Vote-By-Mail-Application.pdf

Deadline for Mail-in Ballot: Your Mail-In Ballot must be received by the County Board of Election before close of polls on Election Day (May 14).

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #263 on: April 15, 2013, 01:55:22 PM »
41986 ProspectAvenueCoalition hosted its second Meet the Candidates night at the Baridge House on Thursday April 10th.

The next Meet the Candidates night is at the Devonshire to be followed by The Camelot. We have received numerous requests from residents seeking invitations to one of our Meet the Candidates night. In the past, the Devonshire has had a large unit owner turnout therefore space for invited guests is limited. The Camelot may be standing room only. So far I have not heard of any candidates night scheduled elsewhere in the town. We will let you know if any more candidate nights are planned.

Resident feedback has been overwhelming. Many just want to express their thanks for the opportunity to get to know the candidates and their views. Some residents were not aware that Hackensack is a nonpartisan municipality and that they could vote for any candidate regardless of which slate the candidate is affiliated with or that the popular vote could split a slate as it did during the 2009 City Election.

In the 2009 City Election the candidate who received 1,628 votes needed only 22 more votes to get elected to the Council. The Meet the Candidates nights may be a good place for candidates to pick up votes.

These are the results from the 2009 election:

Michael Melfi* 1,813
Jorge Meneses* 1,798
Marlin Townes* 1,780
Karen Sasso* 1,745
John Labrosse 1,649

Larry Eisen 1,628
Kathleen Canestrino 1,612
Toni Williams Haverty 1,549
Ronda Wilson 1,537
Pablo Andrade 1,427
Rhonda Williams Bembry 579
Guy Navarro 457
Margaret Otchy 445

*Incumbent

Offline regina

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #264 on: April 16, 2013, 10:22:16 AM »
Check the 2013 Election board on this site for more info

Offline just watching

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #265 on: May 03, 2013, 03:22:23 PM »
Folks should know that 593 Summit Ave has been purchased by Anthony Palmieiri, one of the biggest high-rise developers in Hackensack.  His company owns Excelsior I and II. Unsure if he was involved in the PC Air Rights debacle, the quest to build Excelsior III over the railroad tracks.

593 Summit Ave is near Euclid Ave, and it is over 2 acres in size. The partially wooded lot goes 400 feet deep, down into the woods.  It is directly adjacent to the Borg's Woods Nature Preserve.

Word on the street is that Palmieri is watching the Bergen-Passaic LTACH court case, and if they win, he'll be wanting to make something big at 593 Summit Ave.  The battle has to be won at the LTACH appeal level, or Hackensack will be immersed in the next big zoning battle.

Offline regina

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #266 on: May 03, 2013, 04:09:49 PM »
RN There is a response posted on Citizens for Change Facebook page

"Kathy Canestrino Regina - The administrator of this page is one of our campaign managers. We are trying to get as much information out to the public as possible and this seemed the most efficient way to do it. If a candidate is making the post either it is in their name (as this one is) or the administrator states that the comment comes from the candidate. From what you have written, it appears that you found our website. Hopefully you can find the answers to your questions there. If you have additional questions, please ask - I will try to answer them for you (or have another candidate answer at your request) Unfortunately negative comments are out there from all sides, I hope you are open to our positive commitment to Hackensack as well.
Like · about an hour ago"

And like the other person wrote the "Open Government" does not even allow discussion on their page. The information you were looking for is there but you should contact Mrs Canestrino, as she says in the post, if you have any questions. I am not administrator on that page and I hope you do not take a workers' "bad day" out on the candidates, because that was not posted by any of them.

Offline just watching

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #267 on: May 03, 2013, 08:36:43 PM »
I need to state the obvious. It's abundantly clear that both slates are opposed to the Bergen-Passaic LTACH.  So people can decide the election on other issues. And there are plenty of other issues. Thank you.

Offline Homer Jones

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #268 on: May 03, 2013, 10:08:01 PM »
Ah, common sense ten days before an election.

Offline Prospect Avenue Coalition

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Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« Reply #269 on: May 04, 2013, 12:51:28 PM »
42739 ProspectAvenueCoalition hosted its final Meet the Candidates Night at The Camelot. The format was similar to the debate style used at the Whitehall and the Baridge House which I have observed to be the more informative than the Meet and Greet format -- and revealing it was. 60+ residents and their invited guests attended in addition to the press and a photographer. A residents’ group discussion was held the next evening so that the attendees could exchange thoughts on the candidates and their views. A number of attendees asked if they could attend another Meet the Candidates Night. Sorry folks, we are all out of them.

All of the candidates still promise to fight the LTACH to the bitter end although not all of them may keep those with deep knowledge of the LTACH case in place and may instead retain new counsel.

Earlier this year the Zoning Board Attorney had stepped down from the Zoning Board but has been retained as Special Counsel for the LTACH case. I have spoken to a number of ProspectAvenueCoalition members and all have said that they are relieved to hear of the decision to have the former Zoning Board Attorney stay on the LTACH case.

The campaign promise to keep fighting the LTACH is easy enough to make. We would like to know how the candidates intend to keep their promise. Each of the 2 slates include at least 1 candidate with budget experience. ProspectAvenueCoalition has tried to look closely at this experience for the reason that we need to feel confident that the legal expenses necessary to fight the LTACH for the next 4-8 years will be continually funded and not trimmed or cut. If anyone has the answer to RN’s question re: LTACH we ask them to post here:

“For instance, do you plan to cut the legal defense budget on LTACH, or the budget on Main Street development? How do you plan to lower property taxes?”

Hackensack is a nonpartisan municipality and you may vote for any candidate regardless of which slate the candidate is affiliated with. The candidates with the most votes will fill the open seats on the Council allowing for a split slate Council.

Please vote on Tuesday, May 14.

 

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