May 12
...serving up your daily dish.
Cary Africk doesn't work for American Properties, but he would like us to stop talking about Crisco and focus on the following...
Crisco is done. Get over it. Move on. But the issues of open space, planning and implementing our master plan are just beginning. As the article explains [a Montclair Times piece
not yet online], the Town Manager, and at least one member of the planning board are suggesting that the Town sell one of Montclair’s only remaining open spaces, adjacent to Brookdale Park. The plan is to sell it to a developer for a subdivision. And not only do they want to sell it, they want to change the zoning ordinance on minimum lot size so a maximum number of homes could be built!This is not a done deal, and to his credit Mayor Remsen, who has consistently shown good judgment on so many critical issues facing the town, is evaluating the suggestion and going slow. And another planning board member, who also sits on the Environmental Commission is quoted as saying he “opposes any effort to rezone the municipal property and place homes on it.” And even the head of the Planning Board expressed concern.
May 12, 2006 in Only in Montclair | Permalink
YEAH. Thank you for listening Barista- this discussion started over on the Crisco thread- so if you want to read the beginning of this discussion look here.
Posted by: Pat Gilleran | May 12, 2006 2:20:13 PM
"Action could be taken as soon as next week to sell the property.
I'm not sure just how much the town owns, but PAY ATTENTION GUYS! And remember, the proposal is also to reduce minimum lot size thus increasing density!
And the meeting next week of the Council is a conference meeting, which means the public doesn't get a chance to speak!"
How do we stop this from being pushed through without public discussion. Is a call to your Council memeber enough to stop this once it's on the agenda.
Is Ed Remsen out there?
Posted by: Pat Gilleran | May 12, 2006 2:28:26 PM
I don't think the pointer points to the plot.
Switch to sattelite view and scroll up to the access road to the park, then a little west. I believe it is the barren "yard" of land. And I think it is the initial lot I thought it was. It usually has township equipment parked there.
I am not sure of the exact boundry of the parcel.
Posted by: Right of Center™ | May 12, 2006 2:34:09 PM
Mostly barren and has houses on three sides.
Entirely reasonable to make it residential use.
Posted by: Right of Center™ | May 12, 2006 2:40:08 PM
regarding "our already overcrowded schools" (from Crisco thread), just heard that the incoming 6th grade classes at Mt. Hebron will have approx. 28 students. 28 students! 5 years ago the icoming 6th graders had classes of 18 or less.
Posted by: marieS. | May 12, 2006 2:43:51 PM
can they subdivide subdivisions? The town would benefit from many little tiny houses on the space in question, and these houses of course would be made of the finest materials.
Posted by: voice of reason | May 12, 2006 2:45:27 PM
"And they're all made of ticky-tacky, and they all look just the same."
Malvina Reynolds (?) 1956 or so (?)
Posted by: Conan the Grammarian | May 12, 2006 2:50:48 PM
"And not only do they want to sell it, they want to change the zoning ordinance on minimum lot size so a maximum number of homes could be built!"
Cary, How do you know that is the reason?
Posted by: Right of Center™ | May 12, 2006 2:54:57 PM
i'll say this much: if they greenlite a project on this space and some tree-hugger starts wining about bilding houses, they're gonna get hit with a piece of sheet rock curtesy of yours truly
Posted by: sheet rock | May 12, 2006 2:56:18 PM
Thanks for the map.
So the sliver of space between Grove St. and the park is the area in question.
Maybe a billion condo units could fit there. And an international airport! Oh, and one of those super cool wild animal parks you drive through....
I'm going to the park to check it out this weekend. I have a friend who lives on Argyle and while that map makes it look like a cute private road next to a park, her backyard is in the park.
Posted by: hrhppg | May 12, 2006 2:59:36 PM
Based on your spelling, Sheet Rock, it looks as if you already did get hit.
Posted by: Miss Martta, Smiter Extraordinaire | May 12, 2006 2:59:55 PM
I would like an animal park. The last one i went to was the terry lou zoo, and a chimp threw poop at me
Posted by: friend to the animals | May 12, 2006 3:02:45 PM
Maybe a thread could start regarding that ENORMOUS class size projected at Mt. Hebron next year--and it was only 2 years ago that class sizes were well under 20 (even as low as 14). Of course, these threads are all interrelated--more development, whether by Brookdale, at the former (?) Wellmont, or at Crisco--leads to more kids. By the way, what's with the ugly trailer at the corner of Harrison and Llewellyn by the townhomes going up? I hope that's just a temporary sales office!
Posted by: pta | May 12, 2006 3:03:47 PM
"and a chimp threw poop at me"
I heard that happens at planning board meetings too.
(Sorry, sorry, but it was too easy and just sitting there.)
Posted by: hrhppg | May 12, 2006 3:05:59 PM
a recent report by an independent research agency proved that students actually learn MORE in larger classes than small ones. Accordingly, there will only be one giant class next year at Mt. Hebron.
By the way, I live in that trailer, and i dont appreciate your tone
Posted by: jim teacher | May 12, 2006 3:07:35 PM
Well, Jim, I guess we'll save a ton on teacher salaries that way--why didn't the Board of Ed think of it sooner? Sorry about my comment on your house--all it needs is a little landscaping...
Posted by: pta | May 12, 2006 3:10:20 PM
friend to the animals - why do you think that chimps in baristaville will be more polite?
Posted by: Pat Gilleran | May 12, 2006 3:15:09 PM
well, look at this way: if they're not, we can just shoot them
Posted by: friend to the animals | May 12, 2006 3:16:39 PM
Between this site and the weird NJ fan site I visit I have a question.
What is going to happen to the land where they tore down that old insane asylum?
It's a ton of land, that would have great views, and is in teh center of Baristavellie.
Why the interest in building in already crowded areas while ignoring an area I'm sure the county would sell.
This link shows you the plot plan from the 1930's. But any kid (like me) who use to go up there will tell you it is HUGE! And it isn't far away.
Posted by: hrhppg | May 12, 2006 4:28:46 PM
Opps forgot to include the link address.
http://www.mountainsanatorium.net/plotplan3093gallery.htm
Posted by: hrhppg | May 12, 2006 4:29:53 PM
You'd better shoot quick, because the most recent chimp to encounter a human tore off his testicles, among other appendages.
Posted by: crank | May 12, 2006 4:31:34 PM
