West Orange developer wants to see apartments, affordable housing but gets community pushback
If the family company West Essex Highlands Inc. gets its way within the Watchung Mountains, the plan is to add 496 apartments, with 100 set for affordable housing.
More Stories
Community tensions are high in West Orange Wednesday as the fate of some undeveloped private land remains uncertain.
Zygmunt Wilf, co-owner of the Minnesota Vikings, is a member of the family who owns the land and hopes to add housing.
"Back in 2006, there was an application to put 136 single family homes there," said West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney, who is also a part of the planning board. "That application was denied for various reasons between the planning board members. And here we are and came back with a new application."
Since the West Essex Highlands application is still pending and there is more testimony to be heard, McCartney would limit what she could answer.
If the family company West Essex Highlands Inc. gets its way within the Watchung Mountains, the plan is to add 496 apartments, with 100 set for affordable housing.
There was no vote Wednesday as many more discussions have to happen. Last night's West Orange planning board meeting didn't have public comment, but reaction still poured in to News 12.
Resident Justin Goldsman, also with the area's environmental commission, believes a lack of answers has been a concern.
"Have you considered school infrastructure? There's already a questionable storm water runoff plan there? You're going to add 500 new units there," he said. "Can there be capacity limits to that?"
Tribal concerns were also brought to News 12 concerning the Lenni Lenape tribe.
News 12 reached out to the attorney for West Essex Highlands Inc. for comment.
Jordan Rizzo, with CME solutions, is part of an independent engineering firm to help the board should this happen. He gave opinions Wednesday on what conditions need to be improved in regard to storm water basins, a small section of the whole picture.
There's a planning board special meeting Oct. 29 with public comment.
