APRIL 11, 2022 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS
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Four-story luxury rental complex on former WM site? BY MICHAEL OLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
HILLSDALE
A redevelopment proposal for a 250-unit, four-story luxury rental apartment complex spanning 5.4 acres — with potentially 400 new residents — was presented April 6 to residents who raised questions about traffic, flooding, public safety, schools, taxes, and the first-ever high-density multifamily development in town. The proposal, still being developed by Claremont Development, the boroughʼs conditional redeveloper for the former Waste Management site, has yet to be formally presented to the Planning Board for review. The April 6 session, billed as a town forum, featured an in-person presentation in Town Hall and was aired live on Zoom. Officials said the forum, and site architectural renderings, would be posted on the borough website. As the meeting was not an officially noticed public meeting,
the mayor and Borough Council members could not comment during the session, said Joseph Baumann, borough special redevelopment counsel. Baumann provided context on the redevelopment plan approved in early 2021, and noted that many more public meetings will occur as the proposal evolves. Baumann said the redeveloper has not yet inked a redeveloperʼs agreement with the borough. Claremont Development said that it is negotiating with the boroughʼs redevelopment counsel and redevelopment financial advisor on the agreement as well as what community benefits the developer may provide to Hillsdale for an increase in density allowed under the redevelopment agreement. The so-called bonus density provision in the Patterson Street Redevelopment Plan allows redevelopers to propose higher-density developments in exchange for providing a community benefit or benefits as mutually agreed upon by the developer and the town. The redevelopment plan
allows 28 dwelling units per acre but in certain cases. However, a bonus density of up to 60 units per acre can be permitted if the redeveloper and council agree on community benefits in exchange for the increased dwelling unit density. While negotiations continue, the forum offered residents a first glance at what is being proposed on the former Waste Management property. The town forum featured two officials from Claremont Development, Morristown, who presented a short overview of their proposal, joined by the projectʼs architect, landscape architect and civil engineer. The two officials, Richard Sciaretta and Anthony Marchigiano, showed building renderings and explained how the new highend rental apartment building would improve the mostly industrial and commercial area with a luxury apartment complex. The building would be designed in Second Empire style per the redevelopment plan design guidelines, and features mansard
roofs throughout, bay windows, Juliette balconies, and amenities on the ground floor. “Weʼve taken a big building and we break down the scale of the architecture and try to make this as comfortable as we can for everybody,” said architect Bob Hillier of Studio: Hillier, Princeton. One new feature, said Sciaretta, will be a public park to be built near the corner of Piermont Avenue and Patterson Street. Hillier said the building will feature towers seen off of Patterson Street, noting the structure “is a brick complex all the way around” featuring three colors of brick and external features designed to be attractive and present a residential-style feel. Baumann said the will include 24 affordable rental apartments, which in effect fulfills the entire affordable obligation for the approximate 12-acre redevelopment zone. Sciaretta said the developer would have its traffic engineer, John Korac, of Stonefield Engi-
OBITUARIES
Stanley A URBANIAK
Stanley A. Urbaniak, 93, passed away on April 2, 2022. Born in Bayonne, Stan moved to Park Ridge in 1967 with his beloved wife of 58 years, Emily. He was the son of Sophie Narbdalik and George Urbaniak, father of David (Erin), Kristine, Daniel (Carolyn), and Kathryn (Andrew), and grandfather of Nicholas, Sofia, Will, Elizabeth, Faith, and Noelle. He attended St. John Kanty Prep High School in Erie, Pa. and Seton Hall University. Stan was a proud veteran of WWII, where he served in the occupation forces, and of the Korean War. He worked in the sales division of Ford Motor Co. for 42 years, retiring in 1996 to enjoy his passion for life. Also known as Stan the Man and Stash, Stan was a man who treasured his faith, family, and friends. He was a man of integrity and kindness who lived by the golden rule. Stan served as Eucharistic minister at Our Lady of Mercy Church and as president of the Park Ridge Athletic Association. Among his favorite pastimes was coaching little league and watching professional sports. He enjoyed following every step of his grandchildrenʼs school and sporting events. If Stan was late, it was assumed that he had found a ballgame along the way. He was also an avid stamp and coin collector and enjoyed traveling and cruising. Above all, he loved people;
whether family, friends or strangers, Stan conversed with them and enjoyed their company. Stan is predeceased by his parents, his sister Veronica, and his brothers, Joseph and Walter. He is survived by his wife, Emily, his brother, Frank, sisters MaryAnne and Theresa, sixteen nieces and nephews, and 26 great-nieces and nephews. Stanʼs life and faith were celebrated on Friday, April 8. Visitation was at Becker Funeral Home. Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Mercy Church, followed by burial at Ascension Cemetery. Donations in Stanʼs memory may be made to the ALS Association at als.org.
Irene FRASER
Irene Fraser, 94, of the Township of Washington passed away on April 1, 2022. Born on Nov. 5, 1927 and raised in South Philadelphia, Pa., she was the daughter of Vincenzo DiTomasso and Asunta Pesce DiTomasso. After graduating from high school, she worked as a secretary for the American Can Company, where she met her husband, Walter Winfield Fraser. They married in 1949, and raised two children in their home in Township of Washington, where she lived the remainder of her life. Irene will forever be remembered as a great lover of animals, art, and music. She is survived by her son Walter J. Fraser (Bryan Rumble), her sister Betty DiTomasso Moore (George), her grandchildren, Scott (Tricia), Meredith (Chris), Glenn, Daniel (Rachel), and Michael (Katie). She is also survived by her great-grandchildren
Nora and Walter. She is predeceased by her daughter, Deborah Fraser Tiene, and her many beloved pets, including Percy, Baron, Dundee, Bianca and Sweetie. Visitation was Thursday, April 7 at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood. Funeral services were Friday, April 8 at the funeral home, with burial immediately following the service at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington. Memorials or donations may be made to the ASPCA.
Kelly Ann FOLEY
Kelly Ann Foley, 46, of Park Ridge passed away peacefully on the morning of March 26, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Born on April 7, 1975, Kelly is the beloved daughter of John Thomas Foley and Gail Ann McFarland Foley of Park Ridge. Dear sister of Kimberly Heelan (Paul Heelan) and Kaitlin Foley. Proud aunt of Brenna, Addilyn, and Caedan Heelan. Proud niece of James Foley and Matthew McFarland. In 1985, Kelly was a poster child for the Park Ridge Elks, as well as a poster child for the New Jersey Womenʼs Club State Project called “Spina Bifida, On the Wings of Love.”" She graduated from Park Ridge High School in 1993 and she was an advocate for handicap accessibility in the school system. She also was an avid Barry Manilow Fan and is now dancing to
his songs in heaven. A Memorial visitation was held at Becker Funeral Home, Westwood. Memorial Mass was at Our Lady Mother of the Church, Woodcliff Lake.
Reyes RAMIREZGUTIERREZ
Reyes Ramirez-Gutierrez, 43, of Hillsdale passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2022. Reyes was born Aug. 19, 1978. A visitation for Reyes was held Friday, April 8 at Becker Funeral Home, Westwood. A visitation was held Friday, April 8. A funeral Mass was held Saturday, April 9 at St. Andrew R.C. Church, Westwood. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at Becker-FuneralHome.com.
Robert C BEGGS
Robert Carnahan Beggs, 84, died peacefully, surrounded by his family in his River Vale home, on April 3, 2022. Robert was born on Sept. 11, 1937 in Englewood. He was the son of Fordyce Waters Beggs Sr. and Dorothy Pierce Crabbe. Robert graduated from Northwood School for Boys in Lake Placid, N.Y. He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and served four years active duty and two years in the reserves. After serving his country Robert attended New Jersey Institute of Technology for engineering. He was a commercial industrial builder for
neers, immediately begin on a traffic study. Sciaretta said that the 250 units would include single-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, with amenities, and allocate 1.6 parking spaces per unit. Only a few three-bedroom units would be built for required affordable obligations. Total parking would include 403 spaces in a parking deck to be built, along with 40 new spaces on nearby streets. He said the complex would also provide spaces for electric vehicle charging stations. He said the development would manage its stormwater runoff according to state rules which mandate no net increase in runoff post-development. Claremont officials said that construction may start by spring 2023 if plans move along and approvals are granted, and take approximately 18-20 months from start to finish. Thereʼs more to this important and developing story. Read on at thepressgroup.net.
Iris Construction Co. for 35 years. Robert married Jonath (Jonni) Elaine Oprandy on Aug. 26, 1961. They had two daughters, Jana-Lee and Tiffany. An avid skier, he was on ski patrol at Lake Placid during his high school years. He also enjoyed tennis, golf, gardening, reading, playing games and model ship building. His favorite pastime was playing with his grandkids and spending time with family. Robert is survived by his wife Jonni of 60 years, daughters Jana-Lee (Edward) Bair and Tiffany (Steven) Roth, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Valley Hospital Hospice, Paramus, NJ. valleyhealth.com/locations/valleyhospice.
Jean PALLADINO
Jean Palladino, 91, of Westwood passed away on Thursday, March 31, 2022. Jean was born Jan. 5, 1931. A visitation for Jean will was held Tuesday, April 5 at Funeral Becker Home, Westwood, NJ 07675. Funeral Mass was April 6 at St. Andrew R.C. Church, Westwood. A committal service was held Wednesday, April 6 at Holy Name Cemetery, 823 West Side Ave., Jersey City. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at BeckerFuneralHome.com.
Condolences to family and friends. May their memory be a blessing.
