IF YOU ARE NOT OUTRAGED THEN YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION…LACKAWANNA PLAZA, THE LAST CHANCE TO AFFECT DECISIONS.
This plan provides for almost half the normal parking requirement and partial destruction of a designated historic landmark. Whether you value history and historic assets or not, this site has been established as valuable by professionals in the field and that should be respected by town officials, the Planning Board, the property owner and informed residents. Historic districts are proven valuable economic and tourist magnets for towns and the Montclair's policy guideline them preserved. This is an opportunity to showcase Montclair's downtown but not with this plan. The obvious solution proposed by the Planning Board’s own supermarket design consultant is a smaller supermarket and required parking, would be consistent with industry trends and urban locations. Instead, months have gone by trying to tweek an irresponsible, bad plan. The 30,000 square foot downtown Cedar Grove Foodtown has appropriate parking and successfully operated since 1985 by the same owner. Does anyone expect a 47, 000 square foot supermarket, medical offices and new and existing neighborhood businesses to thrive without enough convenient parking. *** ***Join us to get updates directly. Like Us on Facebook. The developer's parking expert argued how they would compensate for the parking deficit with shared and valet parking. Each concept has its flaws and if not very successful could be chaotic or disastrous for the businesses and then the downtown. This developer has created delays and attempts to deceive the planning board and public with bogus testimony by paid experts to justify and impose a poorly designed site plan to maximize lease income. Each new plan proposed by this developer incorporated only minor changes but required a full review process by the Planning Board. By dragging out the review process, protesters gradually lose interest and pressure increases on planning boards to make a decision. Planning Board and Historic Preservation Commission members have tried hard to get it right and they need a lot more residents to show up and say this plan needs to be rejected. Starting this Monday, December 17, other proposals will be presented by “objectors” and then public comment will begin when objectors finish their presentations. This can happen as soon as Monday or on later meeting dates on January 14 and the 27th. When public comments are concluded, the Planning Board is expected to approve or modify this plan but it should be rejected to work on a great plan. Only you can impact this decision. See proposals below. Meetings will be shown live on channel 34 but most visual illustrations are usually not visible on your TV and residents filling seats or speaking up impact decisions. 1.This current plan provides for nearly half required parking according to proven guidelines for this type of development (a reduction of 400 of required 859 spots). The developer also proposes a reduction in the size of each parking spot. Providing parking is costly so developers attempt to justify the need for less. One claim is that half of parking spots for the 154 unit apartment building at corner of Grove and Glenridge Ave will be available for daytime use even though this building will attract NYC train commuters using the Bay St station. This shared parking concept likes to assume cars leave for the day and free the space for other cars. Obviously train commuters 2 blocks from the train will not remove cars during workdays. Also pointed out is that holiday periods are the busiest shopping times and those periods can make or break a business. Many of those same apartment tenants will also stay home, again using the parking during those holiday times when their parking space is in high demand. This developer’s parking expert also explained the use of valet parking in the Crane Park neighborhood and side street named Lackawanna Plaza to accommodate customers of medical offices, the grocery and a fast food store recently included in this plan. Existing businesses relying on street parking in that neighborhood have a lot to be concerned about. Planning Board members stated that “ it was outrageous” and “ Lackawanna Plaza would look like a used car lot”. Since the planning board argued about this point, the parking expert quickly offered that they could valet cars all the way to the apartment building parking lot on the east side of Grove at Glenridge…."since it would be half empty during the day hours". Another suggestion is to set aside space in the supermarket lot for some valet parking within the west lot on Bloomfield Ave, consequently reducing the self parking spots for supermarket customers. When management of the valet service was discussed it became apparent that there could be as few as one attendant working at times. In addition, valet attendants are under pressure to park and retrieve cars asap and sometimes for only short periods. This plan proposes to eliminate some parking meters on some Glenridge Ave street parking spots now used by post office customers but presumably to be used for valet services. Local residents have already complained that Crosby’s Gastropub on Glenridge was filling residential street parking by valeting customer cars. It was also discussed that the town would have no easy recourse if this valet service is mismanaged or terminated in the future. 2.This developer bought a historic landmark in a historic district but his architect stated that he was never asked to design a plan respecting or showcasing the historic landmark. Instead the developer sought out and hired a historian and planner willing to state that the train stanchions are not historic or valuable in their opinion. In contrast, in the 1980s the developer who redeveloped Lackawanna Plaza with a Pathmark Supermarket, worked with the renown architect, Richard Blinder (who also restored Grand Central Station ) to help design the Pathmark site using the train stanchions for the existing mall in front of the supermarket space. 3. This developer makes claims that the stanchions cannot be used inside supermarkets while a supermarket design expert says otherwise and that it would be " gorgeous". Other architects provided existing examples of train stations now used for markets. Architects stated “ Its normal to be required to work with restrictions of an existing site and to design accordingly.” Approval of this plan would be a great disservice to town residents. Doing so, the planning board would ignore their own town’s master plan goals to respect and preserve the town’s historic character. 4. Critics say this plan makes Glenridge Ave more dangerous and is unsafe for pedestrians. Architects and the architecture consultant for the planning board have proposed plans to provide for an attractive, convenient and safe area for pedestrians, cars and delivery trucks to return to again and again. Suggested designs providing for a safer shopping area have been ignored by this developer. Lackawanna Plaza can and should be the crown jewel and a real actual gateway to our downtown, a meeting and gathering place… attractive, convenient and safe to walk or drive to. Instead, this plan proposes an oversized downtown supermarket with parking lot stretching deeper than a football field and big box highway stores. The developers Illustrations camouflage who it will really look. What you can do. Come Monday at 7:30 to the 205 Claremont Ave to see what can happen to your downtown. The Mondays of Dec 17 and then possibly January 14 and 28, the PB will hear from architects and other objectors who offer plans to use the historic assets and create a safer attractive site. Then the public can have their say. Check the town site on the planning board page for any last minute changes. See detailed report and proposed options to beautify the site using train stanchions from the the Planning Board's architectural consultant here. ***Join us to get updates directly. Like Us on Facebook. LACKAWANNA PLAZA DEVELPER CREATED FOOD VACUUM TO GET WHAT HE WANTS…and so far it’s working.
This week, our Historic Preservation Commission passed a resolution as another attempt to keep intact the historic Lackawanna Train Station. The HPC is working hard under legal constraints to pressure the Planning Board to insist that this developer sit down and work with town consultants to create a much better plan for the Plaza. This developer has ignored a request by the Planning Board chair for months….”saying there is only one plan option for the site”. Public pressure for a supermarket and Council pressure on the PB to approve the developer’s plans quickly has put the goal of enhancing our historic downtown in jeopardy and this needs to stop. Anyone pressuring the PB for a fast approval of this developer’s plan is undermining the review process and what is ultimately good for the town. **Please pass to other residents. Join us to get direct emails. Like Us on Facebook. The Planning Board’s consulting supermarket designer and several architects say “ there are multiple options”. The Planning Board hired a supermarket designer who said building a supermarket within the train sheds “would be gorgeous”. The HPC members are residents who volunteer their time to help the town and they need our help. This week HPC architects presented a planning option which seeks to enhance the Plaza ‘s old train station area and to resolve concerns that the developer’s plan ignores. This project is the only opportunity left to create an attractive and active Plaza area…safe and inviting for pedestrians but these goals have been put in jeopardy in recent months. Planning Board members are the stewards for the town and responsible for protecting assets and what is highly valued…small town historic character. 1.The decision for a Lackawanna Plaza plan may set a strong precedence that a developer can ignore Planning Board requests and not respect the purview of our Historic Preservation Commission. 2. The decision may demonstrate if Montclair Planning Board members understand that developers who wish to benefit from Montclair tax payers and visitors by building in Montclair, need to fully respect the charm and character why Montclair is a valuable community. 3.This decision will determine if the Planning Board members condone and will enable a developer to buy historically designated property in a Montclair’s historic district and then justify their unnecessary destruction. 4. The decision may show if Planning Board members support Montclair’s policy goals and guidelines found in the Montclair Master Plan to protect our historic heritage for current and future generations. Everyone needs to get back on track and not let this developer hold the town hostage for a much wanted supermarket. A food desert was created by not allowing any temporary grocer at the site and not agreeing to options that would preserve the historic landmark from the beginning. **Please pass to other residents. Join us to get direct emails. Like Us on Facebook. Members of this Planning Board as well as the Council have heard for years loud and clear what resident’s value. Our Council representatives are responsible to help get this done…not be manipulated by a developer and bend to his wishes again and again, at the town’s expense. This is not the first time this developer has held the town hostage or tried to manipulate the decision-makers to get what he wanted. During late stage approvals for the hotel, he announced that he needed another story otherwise “there would be no hotel”. A ninth story was approved quickly. Other plans for Lackawanna Plaza have been discussed for several years. In 2014 and 2015, town officials supported a plan for a new Municipal Center complex but the developer eventually decided against it. In 2017 the developer proposed a massive project which included 354 apartments that faced overwhelming resistance from residents all over town. After months of reviews the developer decided against that proposal for business reasons. This current scheme was just presented in January and is the first reasonably sized plan for the site. Keep in mind that much of the review time for this current proposal has been consumed by the developer’s witnesses testimony attempting to justify demolition. Again, the developer has refused to work with town architects and experts for months to design a final plan that can be approved. The developer’s current plan was initially applauded since it downsized to 154 apts. However, it was not initially clear that the majority of the historic train station sheds would be demolished. Without the sheds, there is no train station. The waiting room housing Pig and Prince will stand alone. Without the train station this plan leaves us with a large building and a “ sea of parking” in our downtown. The developer’s current plan also camouflages that this parking lot would extend from Bloomfield Ave 370 feet or 10 feet longer than a football field. Our HPC architects point out that this parking lot will extend further than those in front of major stores on Route 46 and Route 10 such as Costco and Toy R Us. It’s completely inappropriate and unsightly for a downtown location. The photo with a football field overlay shows how far the parking lot would extend down Grove St from the Bloomfield Ave side. The other photo with green strips representing green space in the overlay and illustrates the plan option offered by HPC architects which divides parking, traffic, and congestion by using two lots and two entrances. At the same time it creates a safer, more attractive pedestrian center with opportunities for green space between the local neighborhoods to invite walkability. This HPC plan also suggests an open air market look and feel both outside and inside by enclosing both sides of the store present large windows so pedestrians see into an active marketplace from the street. To see an actual example of divided parking, visit Kings Supermarket at 650 Valley Rd in Upper Montclair which cuts congestion in half and makes a more attractive downtown store. For more details about this HPC plan option see the Baristanet article here. Our Mayor, Council and Planning Board need to work together to insist this developer work with town experts and architects to enhance this neighborhood. Celebrate our train station town center as a hub of activity as it was meant to be. **Please pass to other residents. Join us to get direct emails. Like Us on Facebook. What can you do? We have all heard that anyone who does nothing deserves what he gets. This is how democracy works. 1. Come to Monday night’s Planning Board meeting, Sept 24 and show a sign or speak out for planning board members to join the HPC’s fight to build a “gorgeous supermarket” under the train sheds. 2. Email the Mayor and Council to tell the developer to the work with our HPC and the PB architect to use the train sheds for the supermarket and make Lackawanna Plaza a hub of activity it was meant to be. His current plan should never be considered. Robert Jackson: rjackson@montclairnjusa.org 1st Ward Cllr. Hurlock: whurlock@montclairnjusa.org 2nd Ward Cllr. Schlager: robinschlager@montclairnjusa.org 3rd Ward Cllr. Spiller: sspiller@montclairnjusa.org 4th Ward Cllr. Baskerville: rbaskerville@montclairnjusa.org At-Large Robert J. Russo: rrusso@montclairnjusa.org At-Large Rich McMahon: rmcmahon@montclairnjusa.org The Planning Board’s recent Lackawanna Plaza July 23 (next is August 6) hearing showed that it's clearly a lack of developer interest, creativity and design expertise with historic buildings that continues to delay bringing a supermarket back to this space. He has ignored our Planning Board chairman’s request to work with the Board's preservation architect and HPC experts to finalize a design that would be approved. This developer’s plan remains consistent….demolition.
Other local developers propose more appropriate initial designs for Montclair’s historic neighborhoods and assets so only details have to be addressed by boards and projects are approved smoothly. Instead, this developer continues to make claims about what won’t work and about excessive retrofit costs that were shown to be illogical when questioned. Any decision is still under review since the developer has other testimonies to present including a historian he sought out who is willing to discredit Montclair’s iconic 1913 Lackawanna station's historic designation -- including its listings on the local, state and national historical registries. Questions from Planning Board members showed they were not blindly buying the developer’s statements and those of his representatives about what is possible. The PB hired their own supermarket design firm who testified about what can be done with the site and stated that building a supermarket under the sheds…” would be gorgeous”. He believed a smaller sized market would actually be more profitable and successful within this highly competitive supermarket area given rapidly changing food buying habits. This consultant also suggested the Planning Board hire their own market research analyst to determine the best size and type of market for Montclair's hybrid urban-suburban location. Two supermarket industry consultants have now testified – one was the developer’s own location analyst (not a store designer). Both effectively agreed that an open store interior could be used to preserve the station’s original train shed metal stanchions. Further, that this unique design could become a magnet for wider area customer draw -- pulling them away from their current grocers – for an exceptional shopping experience here. With the right expertise and motivation, our downtown can an affordable grocer in an exciting and welcoming setting. To be fair, it is not an easy project to do because there is a difference in elevations within the mall. Parking is always a problem to be dealt with for any Montclair development. Residents and boards were thrilled when this 3rd site plan proposed much smaller scale development and most historic station elements were preserved but it was not immediately clear that 2/3 of train sheds would not be. This developer is also not known for quality construction or attractive development. His Sienna building has had unrepaired leaks in condos for over a decade preventing use of whole rooms; pieces of the new Valley & Bloom’s façade are falling to the street and apartment ceilings and walls there are reportedly already cracking. He owns and is developing all larger properties in town: the coming 8 ½ story hotel; the 6 & 7 story Seymour Street project with several buildings as well as Lackawanna Plaza. The Seymour project also required the Town to virtually force the developer to ultimately create a design that worked with our local character. By building here, he is significantly benefiting from Montclair tax payers and our visitors by building in town. Its time to give back. Developers promote projects with illustrations of green, walkable streetscapes, quiet lush gathering spaces, bike paths and welcoming “gateways” as selling points to gain public support. … When actual plans are presented we too often only see oversized bulky buildings and attempts to justify too little parking. Maybe its time to put their money where their mouth is in this town. ….maybe Montclair is due for a give back from this developer…a great supermarket built under the sheds and an attractive development to enhance our downtown by opening Toney’s Brook. The Montclair Environmental Commission returned July 23 to once again explain the benefits of opening up Toney’s Brook running under this property to create some kind of an open green area near Bloomfield Ave. This water feature could be an actual green “gateway”. Last points…preserving our historic nature is preserving economic value and why developers want to build here. Maintaining and creating open green space in town is a goal within the 2015 revised Master Plan approved by the Planning Board. This is the only big chance to enhance the downtown. If you care enough to help and not just vent on social media, attend or communicate at planning meetings and with elected officials using email or during public comments at the Council Conference meetings. This Monday, July 23 the developer's most recent proposal for Lackawanna Plaza will continue its review by the planning board in the town hall, 205 Claremont Ave at 7:30 PM.
The Lackawanna Plaza property owner and developer, although requested by the Planning Board to work with the PB architect and Historic Preservation Commission architects on a supermarket plan leaving most of the sheds intact , so far has refused to do so. A national supermarket design firm and several architects propose how it can be can be done. Architects also say its commonplace to be required to design projects within site stipulations such as these station shed stanchions. Past SaveMontclair emails have provided examples of this being done. 1.This meeting may demonstrate if Montclair Planning Board members expect developers who wish to benefit from Montclair tax payers and visitors by building in Montclair are required to respect why Montclair is a valuable community to do so. 2.This meeting may set a strong precedence whether a developer may ignore Planning Board requests as well as buy historically designated property in Montclair and then attempt to justify its demolition for ease of development. 3.A decision may show if planning board members support Montclair's policy guidelines in the Montclair Master Plan to protect our historic nature and heritage for current and future generations. During this review the developer is expected to attempt to discredit our town's most valued iconic historic asset. Although local, state and national authorities have designated Lackawanna Station as a historic site, this developer sought out one historian willing to critique the legitimacy of past and current historian's reports and statements about the station and its elements. The developer's historian asserts that the Lackawanna sheds are not the famous Bush sheds as previously noted in reports. BUT is this really the point??? Its Montclair's major historic landmark. This developer bought a historic landmark and property within a historic district. In addition, our Planning Board's own preservation architect as well as other local architects and aspecialized supermarket design firm has provided proposals using the train sheds and examples of other markets designed using stanchions. However this developer claims no supermarket would want the sheds. This is simply an attempt to justify demolition for ease of development. This is the only major opportunity to enhance our downtown. We all want a successful supermarket and a few more weeks to get the right plan can give our downtown something much better. Its always the same, Montclair wants preservation and the right development...over and over. This is always the point. Again its important to attend this meeting to show support for those planning board members trying to get the best for the town and to convince other PB members Montclair should have the design that enhances our downtown. To review materials and reports on the town site for this meeting see here. See Lackawanna train sheds illustrated below with supermarket design and other examples of current markets using train stanchions. This Monday evening, June 18 the planning board may vote to approve the property owner/ developer’s proposed Lackawanna Plaza plan. Approving a plan because the developer refuses to work for a better plan and local residents hope to get a supermarket which is years away, a few weeks earlier is irresponsible and a major disservice to the town residents. This plan includes the demolition of the majority of the atrium housing the train station sheds preserved in the 1980’s when the Pathmark supermarket was built.
The developer says no supermarket wants to have train sheds to build around or use. BUT….. the 1980’s Pathmark designed a store using the sheds. Supermarket design firms say a supermarket including the sheds offer a unique open air design. The Philadelphia Redding Market is an excellent example of a market in a train terminal with metal stanchions, such as those in Lackawanna but much closer together at 10-12 feet. OPEN ILLUSTRATION BELOW OF ORIGINAL TRAIN SHEDS WITHOUT 1980s ATRIUM ENCLOSING THEM. https://gallery.mailchimp.com/970fb69de4ff36622c2b55fff/_compresseds/14514d67-b6ee-40a6-9287-42ab8e0b35cc.jpg NOW OPEN TO SEE SUPERMARKET BUILT INTO SHEDS WITH EXISTING SKYLIGHTS FROM 1980s. https://gallery.mailchimp.com/970fb69de4ff36622c2b55fff/_compresseds/04d9c43f-3582-4026-b838-83bc39b0d70a.jpg **Pass this to residents to join to get direct emails at www.savemontclair.org. Like us on Facebook. The planning board needs just a few weeks and the Council’s support to insist that the developer maintain the integrity of the station and work the sheds into a plan with our town preservation architects. The Lackawanna project start date is 4-5 years away according to the developer and the opening of any supermarket coming sometime long after; the planning board is under pressure from the Council’s recent resolution to approve this plan because local residents are angry about not having a supermarket for 2 ½ years. …BUT pressuring our planning board is completely misplaced. This current and the 3rd proposal for Lackawanna Plaza since 2012 is the first and only widely accepted plan and its review process just started this spring. Lackawanna Plaza is the only major opportunity to improve that area and the sheds can beautify this site and create an enhanced shopping experience. Once the sheds are gone, they are gone. Improving the Lackawanna area neighborhood is what all town residents want,its what Council representatives want and especially what local residents want…its not simply to get another supermarket. The Planning Board and Historic Preservation Commission are trying to get the best design for the town and the Council should support this effort. Particularly considering the following history of this developer in our town. 1. Since the Pathmark closed in November, 2015 the developer has refused allow any temporary market at the site because of insurance and other costs. 2.The developer, for the last two months has refused to cooperate with the planning board’s directive and sit down with our Historic Preservation Commission to work on a plan maintaining the whole station and use the sheds. In addition, he did not work with the planning board’s preservation architect to design on a plan using the sheds. 3. This developer said, “ Supermarkets cannot work with the train sheds”. The Pathmark did and a firm specializing in the design of supermarkets say the sheds can be included in a supermarket design. 4. This developer says he found a historian that says “the train sheds are not historic” although all 3 levels of local, state and national historic authorities have given the station this designation. 5. This developer recently built Valley and Bloom apartments which now have chunks of the façade falling to the sidewalks, just this week. 6.This developer built the Sienna and condo owners litigated leaks for over 10 years while living with empty rooms with hoses directing water to collection buckets. 7. This developer habitually proposes out of character construction, unlike other developers, not respecting the historic nature of Montclair’s neighborhoods. HOW YOU CAN HELP GET A GREAT SUPERMARKET AND A MORE ATTRACTIVE DOWNTOWN. “This is the last big development in town and worth the effort.” “Come out and take a stand.” 1.Come to Mondays special planning board meeting with a sign to save the whole station and sheds or speak up at public comments; 205 Claremont Ave, 7:30. 2.Email planning board members and tell them why you want them to maintain the integrity of the station by saving the sheds. Planning Board Petto, Graham gpetto@montclairnjusa.org Rooney, Stephen sprooney@comcast.net Schlager, Robin rschlager@montclairnjusa.org Schwartz, Martin martschwartz@yahoo.com Talley, Janice jtalley@montclairnjusa.org Watkinson, Tom wtwengineering@hotmail.com Willis, Carole schooldoctor2@aol.com Tim Barr tim.barr1@verizon.net Brandon, Craig Brandon@montclairnjusa.org Brodock, Keith keith.brodock@gmail.com Ianuale, Anthony V. aianuale@dresdnerrobin.com Loughman, Carmel cloughman@gmail.com Neiss, Art aneiss@beattielaw.com Daniel Gilmer daniel.gilmer@gmail.com Copy the Mayor and Councilors below on your message to Planning Board. Baskerville, Renee rbaskerville@montclairnjusa.org Hurlock, William whurlock@montclairnjusa.org Jackson, Mayor rjackson@montclairnjusa.org McMahon, Rich rmcmahon@montclairnjusa.org Robert Russo rrusso@montclairnjusa.org Schlager, Robin rschlager@montclairnjusa.org Spiller, Sean sspiller@montclairnjusa.org 3. Go to www.Planetcivic.com and vote to save the sheds. If there are enough voters, the Council will get the report. **Pass this to residents to join to get direct emails at www.savemontclair.org. Like us on Facebook. Boards seek best for Lackawanna Plaza.
On Monday, June 18, 7:30 at 205 Claremont Ave, the Planning Board has scheduled a special meeting, in part to review and determine if a successful supermarket requires demolition of historic train sheds. Demolishing a valued historic feature of Montclair should to done only when necessary for greater public good….the loss is permanent. Historic streets and landmarks are economic assets that attract new residents, businesses and visitors and are never replaceable. Historic Church Street is a destination and the most popular street. Come and speak to support our planning board and ask your representative to support due diligence for all planning. See it on TV34 if you cannot attend but communicate with your representative. ***Please share this with other residents and refer them to www.SaveMontclair.org. Like Us on Facebook. The Lackawanna Plaza’s story since 2012. The mandated planning process for reviewing development proposals is established to provide for a comprehensive process and time to consider all implications of the project and to obtain the most favorable results for the town. Short circuiting this process is a great disservice to the town. The Lackawanna Plaza development is the only major opportunity to improve that area, not to improve it... or worse. It’s our downtown and a complex project and due diligence is crucial. It’s not simply about a supermarket which is 4-5 years away according the developer’s schedule. Since the Pathmark supermarket closed in 2012 in bankruptcy, there have been a lot of reasons why there is still no supermarket or no approved plan. First, the owner who is also the developer stated that he would not provide for any temporary market in the empty space because of insurance and other costs. This current 2018 plan is the only plan of all three considered acceptable and widely supported by residents and boards. It also was proposed only this spring. Between 2013 and 2015, town officials proposed and sought plans for a new city center be developed at Lackawanna Plaza to relocate city hall, police dept and Board of Education into one complex. It also included apartments and parking deck. In preparation for large scale development, Lackawanna Plaza with other sites were designated Redevelopment Areas so development could be built outside the zoning size restrictions. This city center plan was met with resistance since it added extensive congestion to an already congested area. After 2 years of board meetings and required public visioning workshops, the developer announced that this city center complex did not work financially for this firm. The second proposal was introduced last summer in 2017 with over sized development on both side of Grove Street including 350 apartments, offices, and supermarket and parking deck. In this case, the Council required the Planning Board to approve this new plan after only one review, not following the normal review process. This proposal was met intense opposition from residents and board members alike. Once again, the developer decided the project was not financially sound for the firm and this third plan was proposed within zoning this last January and reviews started only this spring. Reviews for this current 2018 plan moved quickly since the project size was within zoning restrictions. Remaining details to review focus on whether or not a supermarket can be planned including the previously preserved historic train sheds. In the 1980s Pathmark development the train sheds were enclosed as part of the mall/ skylight atrium still there today. Our board members should have the town's support. Conscientious board members prepare for meetings and spending extensive personal time reaching for well thought out decisions or seek independent expert opinions to weigh against opinions by those benefiting from the plan. Planning Board members provide expertise in architecture, development, city planning, real estate law, municipal finance. Some board members may be recruited because they have a proven service record in town. Be thankful we have board members who care and for a process to do the best job for us. Planning board members are a combination of one Council member, town employees required to serve because of their position and several residents recruited and approved by the Council because they offer relevant expertise or valuable experience for planning decisions. In recent years, new board members represent residents’ interests to control over sized, out of character development. Historic Preservation Commission members are selected by mayors according to a recent NJ law. HPC members require relevant expertise in historic preservation and related experience. HPC members may offer expertise in areas such as preservation or reuse architecture, landmark preservation commission, historian, land use law or related experience. Again, HPC members provide a valuable service which benefits all of us. Comprehensive review process is required for best plans. Our boards are dealing with the same developer with a track record of poor construction and out of character design such as Valley and Bloom and the coming hotel on Bloomfield Ave. Sienna condo owners left rooms empty for years while litigating leaks they could not get repaired. Board members complained Valley and Bloom started using the same faulty construction. The defined review process allows for due diligence with comprehensive reviews and public input at each step. Montclair needs the best traffic flow plan with the added density, the most attractive development possible for our downtown and a successful supermarket. What is approved is permanent…congestion gridlocks on Bloomfield Ave or Grove St because traffic flow poorly planned, supermarket failure because deliveries can’t be made smoothly and safely or losing a historic asset which may be an attractive element of a supermarket. Let diligent board members try to get the best they can for the town. Once the sheds are demolished they are gone forever. The 1980s developer used the train sheds to build the atrium mall. The sheds are part of the “most handsome suburban train station in the country” and stated when it was built. Train sheds in a suburban station are unique. Lackawanna Station received historic designation by local, state and national authorities. Here is the Montclair Local article for more details. “Is it not cruel to let our city die by degrees, stripped of all her proud monuments, until there will be nothing left of all her history and beauty to inspire our children? If they are not inspired by the past of our city, where will they find the strength to fight for her future? Americans care about their past, but for short term gain they ignore it and tear down everything that matters. Maybe... this is the time to take a stand, to reverse the tide, so that we won't all end up in a uniform world of steel and glass boxes.” — Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis ***Please refer other residents to www.SaveMontclair.org and Like Us on Facebook. This Monday, May 14, 7:30 at the 205 Claremont Ave, the Planning Board will continue discussion with the developer of current Lackawanna Plaza plan. The Historic Preservation Commission has rejected this current plan since it requires the demolition of most of the historic station train sheds which are seen as necessary to preserve as a major element of the station. The Planning Board seeks HPC recommendations for development in any historic district but ultimately negotiates and approves the final plan. Public support to save the sheds and atrium can influence votes.
These train sheds are metal archways which were preserved in the 1980s Pathmark development and frame the atrium which was created. Preservationist and architects have provided proposals to save these sheds and the atrium for an indoor market and public gathering place, however the developer is expected to continue to ask for this current plan siting the need for additional parking for the new supermarket. See article and photo of the atrium here...https://baristanet.com/2018/04/montclair-hpc-to-developers-hands-off-lackawanna-plaza-train-shed/ **Please pass this on to other residents to join us on www.SaveMontclair.org for direct notices and Like us on Facebook. Details for the Lackawanna Plaza development plan are in later stages of review before final approval and the board members working for us need our support so we get the best possible plan. The latest Lackawanna Plaza development plan now has 154 units (down from 380) and is within zoning restrictions. This plan has also architecture proposed which compliments the historic station and most historical elements are preserved however almost half the train sheds will be destroyed (canopies that cover the train track platforms where passengers stood).
The Lackawanna Terminal is an integral part of Montclair’s history and development, especially as we celebrate our 150 year anniversary. This 1912 station, designed by William Botsford and on the National Register of Historic Places was described by the Office of New Jersey Historic Preservation, “ the handsomest and best arranged suburban railroad terminal in the United States.” ** Please refer other residents to www.SaveMontclair.org to to understand why Montclair has of much development coming. Join us to get updates directly. Like us on Facebook. Knowledgeable residents, historic preservationists and board members understand its significance and have asked the developer to revisit this plan seeking ways to save these sheds. Many residents and board members feel these train sheds are integral to the architectural integrity of the Lackawanna Terminal and believe they are crucial to interpreting its historic purpose. We all want the best possible plan for our downtown: very attractive residential and business development that compliments the historic station and enhances the neighborhood, beautiful public space and a successful supermarket. The board members and developers need to know residents care and support this. Our Historic Preservation Commission will review of this current plan to discuss how the train sheds may be preserved on Thursday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m., at the Municipal Building, 205 Claremont Ave., Montclair. The HPC needs support from residents. Your voice and expertise have influence. Please attend the meeting and speak during public comments. If you cannot attend or prefer not to speak, email asap early next week to the assistant planner, Graham Petto at gpetto@montclairnjusa.org for distribution to HPC members. In your public comments or email, consider some thoughts below: Why the train sheds should not be destroyed. This iconic station and train sheds are uniquely Montclair historic elements are important in our town’s origin. How the train sheds are integral to the architectural integrity of the Lackawanna Terminal and to interpreting its historic purpose. How Montclair is a town that owes its suburban identity to the train as one of the earliest suburbs in the country. Destroying that part of its origin story would be a detriment to the community, and particularly as the town celebrates its 150th anniversary. Demolishing these structures erases one of the very things that defines the building’s reason for existence and its historic significance. It strips the building of its historic context. What’s left no longer resembles a train terminal. Montclair’s Master Plan ( guideline for policy) puts a priority on preserving historic assets and adaptively reusing them. The current Lackawanna proposal as it stands now destroys crucial elements of the historic complex and erodes its integrity. This would hinder and the ability of future generations to recognize it as a former train terminal. ** Please refer other residents to www.SaveMontclair.org to understand why Montclair has so much development coming. Join Us to get updates directly. Like us on Facebook. Diligent members of our Planning Board have proposed rezoning the Bloomfield Ave business district from 6 stories to 4. If approved by the Council, this will protect our downtown from more extensive development and density. In addition, other new ordinances are expected to be proposed by the Board and if approved will better regulate the exteriors of new buildings to better fit the character of the existing downtown area.
This proposal will be aggressively opposed by influential developers and downtown property owners since it limits the potential value of property for development. Consequently its very important that residents tell Council reps that we want this reduction in zoning heights approved. Dedicated planning board members volunteer many hours each month to serve the town and they need the support and validation of residents to move forward with major changes. PLEASE PASS THIS EMAIL TO OTHER RESIDENTS AND REFER THEM TO SAVEMONTCLAIR.ORG TO JOIN US AND LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. In the recent years 2013-2015, this reduction of heights would not have been possible since many planning board members supported extensive development. At that time, the master plan which is the town guide for land use policy, was proposing to allow 10-12 stories on Bloomfield Ave. This was stopped by people who took time to make an effort. This direction was changed through the hard work of diligent planning board members supported by persistent push back from residents and by residents asking Council members to support these efforts. This rezoning will end over sized development such as Valley & Bloom and the new hotel coming to our downtown. We want development to enhance our neighborhoods, not simply add density. Residents need to contact their representatives and/ or speak out at Council meetings during public comment or planning board meetings if this topic comes for additional review. Council members need to know we want our downtown approved for 4 story zoning. See page 9 here for the proposed downtown rezoning map. Look at other rezoning throughout town in this proposal. Address concerns with your Council rep or during public comment at Council. Mayor Robert Jackson: rjackson@montclairnjusa.org 1st Ward Cllr. Hurlock: whurlock@montclairnjusa.org 2nd Ward Cllr. Schlager: robinschlager@montclairnjusa.org 3rd Ward Cllr. Spiller: sspiller@montclairnjusa.org 4th Ward Cllr. Baskerville: rbaskerville@montclairnjusa.org At-Large Robert J. Russo: rrusso@montclairnjusa.org At-Large Rich McMahon: rmcmahon@montclairnjusa.org Ms.Schlager is also Deputy Mayor Great news about the Lackawanna Plaza development. A big thanks to all the residents who took time to communicate with representatives, organize and speak out at planning meetings. Thank you to the planning board members for seeking essential reviews and to not rush the process. Thank you to the Historical Preservation Commission for providing details for this significant of historical station and surrounding elements.
Thank you to officials that listened to the consistent message to “ stop excessive bulk and over development” and " maintain the town's character". Thank you to the developer who responded and we hope future proposals consider these messages. The democratic process succeeded with all of us participating. The Lackawanna Plaza developers, Hampshire and Pinnacle Companies have decided to pursue a new plan which is within the zoning restrictions and includes 154 apartments on east side of Grove Street. Initially they proposed 380 units to be divided on both sides of Grove Street, taking advantage of Lackawanna Plaza designation as a Redevelopment Area which allowed development outside of zoning restrictions. In addition, the developer’s new plan will preserve the station and historical elements. This next phase of reviews determines how the property will ultimately look. PLEASE PASS ON TO RESIDENTS TO JOIN US FOR MORE UPDATES ON DEVELOPMENT. Like us on Facebook. For details of new plan see this link to Montclair Local article…..and by the way, The Montclair Local replaced the Montclair Times as our local paper when the Times discontinued some major sections in 2016 and became regional. The Montclair Local has local journalists who focus Montclair news and can be our only source of important town information. Please consider subscribing to it for your own edification and to support the free press at www.Montclairlocal.news. |
Links:
Details of Redevelopment Area Proposals Council Email addresses, Meeting Agendas and Minutes HPC Meeting Agendas Planning Board Agendas Archives
March 2024
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