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Messages - Prospect Avenue Coalition

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31
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« on: November 26, 2012, 11:33:21 AM »
36674 LTACH APPEAL WATCH

The appeal has been filed on November 7, 2012.

32
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« on: October 08, 2012, 01:03:54 AM »
35296 Attached is the resolution which was passed by the Hackensack Zoning Board on September 20, 2012. We will let you know if an appeal is filed.

33
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« on: October 02, 2012, 11:34:15 AM »
35147 LTACH APPEAL WATCH

The clock has started ticking.

34
Hackensack Discussion / Re: Anderson Street Station (Future)
« on: September 05, 2012, 07:09:31 AM »
993 NJTransit Invitation to Bid on Construction of the Anderson Street Station ends at 2 pm on September 6th (see attached).

35
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« on: July 04, 2012, 10:17:00 PM »
33085 LTACH APPEAL WATCH

Richard Pineles has 45 days after the resolution is passed by the Hackensack Zoning Board to file an appeal. The resolution has not passed thus far so no appeal can be filed at this point.

Pineles attended the last Hackensack Zoning Board Meeting only to learn that the resolution would not be passed during that meeting so he was told to return at a later date.

Our Prospect Avenue neighbor living in a building next to the LTACH told us that the LTACH was recently taken to court over some damage caused to their cars from falling tree branches lining the property. The LTACH removed the trees.

36
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« on: February 04, 2012, 11:57:40 AM »
29985 Hackensack Chronicle

Hackensack Zoning Board votes down hospital plan on Prospect

Thursday, February 2, 2012    Last updated: Friday February 3, 2012, 1:24 AM

BY MARK J. BONAMO
MANAGING EDITOR

After almost three years of debate, the Hackensack Zoning Board unanimously rejected a plan to build a 19-story hospital on Prospect Avenue at a special Jan. 19 meeting, citing concerns about traffic, parking and neighborhood quality-of-life issues.

The proposed project, known as the Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH), generated concerns among residents living on Prospect and Summit avenues near the project site. Some residents hired two attorneys to present their opposition to the plan.

Zoning Board Chairman Michael Guerra echoed this disquiet just before the board’s vote.

"The bottom line is the LTACH is misplaced in this neighborhood," Guerra said, followed by applause from a crowd of more than 60 residents, many of whom had sat through more than 20 special meetings focused on the controversial project.

"We have a hospital zone, and the thought has been that it belongs in the hospital zone," Guerra added, referring to the designated area surrounding Hackensack University Medical Center. The proposed project and the medical center are not affiliated.

"We’re disappointed with the decision of the board, and we’ll explore our alternatives," said Richard Pineles, the president of the company seeking to develop the hospital.

According to attorney Joseph Basralian, who represents Pineles, these alternatives include an appeal.

"The board rendered a decision it felt was appropriate. If we disagree, then we take the next step," Basralian said.

The proposed hospital would provide a range of medical services if constructed. The 120-bed facility would have 10 floors dedicated to patient rooms, a dialysis center with 63 stations and an adult medical day-care center equipped for as many as 180 people. The facility would also include several driveways and five levels of underground parking.

City officials stated that the project would need site plan approval and more than a dozen variances in order to go forward.

These include variances for use, parking and lot size. Pineles is also seeking approval to knock down two-story homes on four lots on Prospect and Summit avenues near Golf Place to build the 1.15-acre hospital. The site, located at 329 Prospect Ave., is currently zoned for residential and multi-family buildings.

Pineles also owns Prospect Heights Care Center, a 180-bed nursing home facility close to the site, as well as Regent Care Center, a nursing home on Polifly Road.

Basralian argued that Pineles had made compromises to allay concerns about the project, including a reduction in the building’s size as well as the number of patients it would treat.

Basralian also argued that the hospital would install computerized traffic lights that would aid traffic flow and that the developers would create a park on Prospect Ave. as part of the project.

Board member Frank Rodriguez refuted these claims, however, stating that the developers had not demonstrated that the new traffic lights would actually improve traffic flow. Rodriguez also noted that a 30,000 square-foot park on Summit Avenue to be included as an open space component of the project was just the hospital’s front entrance.

"I don’t find it very compelling that the applicant came before this board with a very, very large facility and – by their own initiative, not by anything thing we said – suddenly reduced it to a very large facility," Guerra added.

At the end of the meeting, residents Murray and Tama Cuperman, who attended most of the special meetings, spoke approvingly about the end of a chapter in the hospital project saga.

"It took three years to get here, but it’s very gratifying," said Murray Cuperman. "In the meantime, peace and quiet stays on Prospect and Summit avenues."

"We need something like this project, just not in that place," added Tama Cuperman. "There are plenty of other places where it can be built."

Email: bonamo@northjersey.com

37
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue - DECLINED
« on: January 19, 2012, 10:20:59 PM »
29411

Dear Neighbors, the Bergen-Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital application was denied unanimously by the Hackensack Zoning Board today.

As we were leaving the court house we learned that an appeal is being filed. Once an appeal is filed I will keep you updated here.

Thank you for your support.

You may continue to contact us at prospectavenuecoalition@yahoo.com.


38
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« on: January 19, 2012, 07:07:32 AM »
29375

REMINDER - THURSDAY JANUARY 19, 2012 AT 7PM
HACKENSACK ZONING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING
CITY HALL 3RD FLOOR AUDITORIUM AT 65 CENTRAL AVENUE
BERGEN PASSAIC LONG TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL APPLICATION

39
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« on: January 02, 2012, 03:47:41 PM »
28646 Attached is a copy of the transcript from the December 8th Hackensack Zoning Board Special Meeting.

On Thursday January 19, 2012 the applicant will respond to the recommendations made by the Zoning Board during the December 8th Special Meeting. Perhaps we shall hear the Zoning Board's decision on the Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital application as well.

SAVE THE DATE - THURSDAY JANUARY 19, 2012 AT 7PM
HACKENSACK ZONING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING
CITY HALL 3RD FLOOR AUDITORIUM AT 65 CENTRAL AVENUE
BERGEN PASSAIC LONG TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL APPLICATION

40
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« on: December 16, 2011, 07:25:58 AM »
27976 Prospect Heights picture courtesy of our Prospect Avenue neighbor. "Prospect heights can't even have their garbage picked up they need to bring it out to the street to the truck blocking traffic. See attached picture. Thanks"

SAVE THE DATE - THURSDAY JANUARY 19, 2012 AT 7PM
HACKENSACK ZONING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING
CITY HALL 3RD FLOOR AUDITORIUM AT 65 CENTRAL AVENUE
BERGEN PASSAIC LONG TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL APPLICATION

The applicant is expected to return with their response to the city’s requests on January 19, after which a vote on the proposal is likely.

41
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« on: December 08, 2011, 07:51:11 PM »
27630 The Zoning Board will be opening the floor for public comment in about 25 minutes.

27891
Public input on hospital sought

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

BY STEPHANIE AKIN

STAFF WRITER

The Record

HACKENSACK — Members of the public will likely have their last chance to comment on a proposed 19-story acute-care hospital today, when testimony is expected to wrap up after three years of hearings on the controversial project.

A vote on the proposed Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital, however, will likely be scheduled for a later date, to give the owners time to respond to any last-minute city requests typical of this type of application, said Rich Maligieri, attorney for the Board of Adjustment.

The property's owner has proposed demolishing two-story homes on Prospect and Summit avenues to make way for the 1.15-acre facility. It would include 10 floors of patient rooms, a dialysis center with 63 stations and an adult medical day-care center for up to 180 people.

Richard Pineles, who is listed as the company's president, is affiliated with five New Jersey nursing homes, including two in Hackensack, according to state records.

The project needs special city approval because the property is zoned for residential use and the facility would exceed several building restrictions, including regulations on parking spaces, driveways, lot size and the location of the building on it.

Opponents, some of whom hired attorneys, say the traffic and parking problems it will bring with it would lower property values and destroy the neighborhood.

Today's hearing, the 25th since 2009, will include testimony from the applicant's planner, the last scheduled witness. The special hearing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers in City Hall.

42
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« on: December 06, 2011, 10:25:42 PM »
27542 Attached is a copy of the October 26th transcript.

REMINDER - THURSDAY DECEMBER 8, 2011 AT 7 PM
HACKENSACK ZONING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING
CITY HALL 3RD FLOOR AUDITORIUM AT 65 CENTRAL AVENUE
BERGEN PASSAIC LONG TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL APPLICATION

See you all on Thursday.

43
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« on: November 26, 2011, 11:50:47 AM »
27060 Folks - although we have heard "this is the final Zoning Board Special Meeting to hear this application" once or twice before we can not afford to wave off the notice and miss this opportunity to get your comments on the record.

Many of you have already gotten your comments on the record i.e affects on quality of life; traffic; sirens; safety; security of the park area; reduction in available street parking; 14 wheeler tractor trailer trucks backing up into the driveway to make deliveries; removal of truck loads of dirt; NJ Transit bus delays, detours and dust/debris due to construction; decrease in property value; flooding; affect of blasting on neighboring buildings; etc. You only need to say "I object to this application".

If the applicant files an appeal then you, the resident, will no longer have any say in the matter. There will only be the transcripts for the appeal judge to review. In the event of an appeal, your concerns memorialized via the transcripts will not be the various complaints from a handful of people but issues and concerns voiced by an entire neighborhood of residents who are living in this single/multifamily vibrant community which already has a huge sprawling hospital campus that has attracted medical professionals by the droves to knock down and rebuild offices/homes on Summit Avenue (as described by my neighbor "the gold coast of Hackensack").

If you have not been able to attend the Special Meetings and/or you have been unavailable to question the expert witnesses and/or the applicant you may support those who oppose the construction of this hospital now by stating your name, address and voicing your objection during the public comment section of this final Zoning Board Special Meeting:

REMINDER - THURSDAY DECEMBER 8, 2011 AT 7 PM
HACKENSACK ZONING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING
CITY HALL 3RD FLOOR AUDITORIUM AT 65 CENTRAL AVENUE
BERGEN PASSAIC LONG TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL APPLICATION

Flyer attached.

44
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« on: November 08, 2011, 07:18:06 AM »
26430

Talk for new Hackensack hospital continue

Friday, November 4, 2011    Last updated: Friday November 4, 2011, 1:27 AM

BY MARK J. BONAMO
MANAGING EDITOR
Hackensack Chronicle

More than 20 special Zoning Board meetings regarding the proposed construction of a 19-story, long-term acute care hospital at the corner of Summit and Prospect avenues in Hackensack have been held since 2009.

At the most recent meeting on Oct. 26, there were about 50 residents who attended the hearing to listen to continued testimony, less than the more than 100 residents present at earlier meetings.

But despite the colder weather that might have contributed to numbers being down, those present were still steamed by the planned project.

"They shouldn't build it," said Jenny Sommer, a Prospect Avenue resident, during a meeting break. "It'll be too crowded, too congested, and bad for the people living on Prospect Avenue."

If approved despite the ongoing controversy, the proposed hospital would be built at 329 Prospect Ave.

According to deed records, Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital LLC purchased the property, presently occupied by a residential home, in 2007 for $1.33 million.

Company President Richard Pineles also owns Prospect Heights Care Center, a 180-bed nursing home facility close to the site, as well as Regent Care Center, a nursing home on Polifly Road.

The proposed hospital would provide a range of medical services if constructed. The 120-bed facility would have 10 floors dedicated to patient rooms, a dialysis center with 63 stations and an adult medical day-care center equipped for as many as 180 people. The facility would also include several driveways and five levels of underground parking.

City officials have stated that the project will need site plan approval, as well as more than a dozen variances in order to go forward. These include variances for use, parking and lot size. Pineles is also seeking approval to knock down two-story homes on four lots to build the hospital. The site is currently zoned for residential and multi-family buildings.

Pineles first proposed constructing a 24-story hospital with 140 beds and an adult day-care center equipped to handle 250 people. However, he revised the facility's plans in late 2009.

Pineles has previously declined comment about the project, stating that it was company policy not to comment on a project that is pending and that is being proposed to the public.

Joseph Basralian, an attorney representing Pineles, questioned Gregory Polyniak, an engineering expert and planner for the board, during the Oct. 26 meeting.

Polyniak testified that the substantial increase in traffic that the planned medical facility would bring to the area could be "detrimental" to the character of the neighborhood. Basralian countered by asking Polyniak to be more specific about how the neighborhood's character would actually change.

Toward the end of the meeting, attorney Theodore Moskowitz, a Hackensack resident who is representing the Prospect Avenue Coalition, a neighborhood group opposed to the project, requested he be allowed to re-examine Pineles about certain details concerning his previous testimony. Pineles testified early on in the hearing process.

Board Attorney Richard Malagiere stated that having Pineles re-testify would be unnecessary and would only serve to further prolong the hearing process. Moskowitz subsequently withdrew his request.

No matter how many more special Zoning Board meetings take place before a decision is made, local resident Lillika Weinberger was one of those present who has made up her mind about the project.

"We had a dress rehearsal with the collapse of the parking garage," said Weinberger, a Prospect Avenue resident who referenced the collapse of a parking garage at a nearby building on her street last year. "This project will really destroy the neighborhood. Who would want to move on a street with all of this mess going on?"

The next special Zoning Board meeting about the proposed hospital is scheduled for Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 65 Central Ave.

Email: bonamo@northjersey.com

45
Hackensack Discussion / Re: 24-story tower for Summit Avenue
« on: October 27, 2011, 08:18:10 AM »
25861 Last month we asked the Zoning Board when the residents would be allowed to cross examine the expert witnesses and/or comment on the Bergen Passaic Long Term Cute Care Hospital application. We tried to lock down a date and time but we were told only that there would be a public comment section.

Last night Mr. Ditkas was kind enough to ask the Board on our behalf to specify the agenda for the last Special Meeting. We learned that Mr. Basralian will question one of his expert witnesses for approximately 20 minutes and then the floor will be opened for public comments. Mr. Pineles will not be made available for more questioning nor to answer questions which he originally did not answer. The Zoning Board will permit the residents to also question all of the witnesses.

Finally, we will hear the Zoning Board's decision on the Bergen Passaic Long Term Acute Care Hospital application.

ProspectAvenueCoalition thanks you for your long and continued support. Please come on December 8th and get your comment on the record.

SAVE THE DATE - THURSDAY DECEMBER 8, 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

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