Board wants more information

Bergen County firm proposes 94-unit, age-restricted housing project By Mark J. Yablonsky FRANKLIN - The zoning board of adjustment has requested additional information from Bergen County developers who want to build a 94-unit development at the corner of Mill and Sterling streets. Bergen Engineering and Branca Properties (BEBP), both of East Rutherford, are proposing a multi-story development of age-restricted rental housing for low- and moderate-income tenants. The land on which it would be built abuts both former New Jersey Zinc Co. land owned by Anthony Patire, as well as the rear of the Sussex County Library System's Main Street/Franklin branch. The property is owned by Franklin Senior Housing, also of East Rutherford, a borough official said. Because the land is zoned for commercial and mixed use, BEBP is seeking zoning variances for use, as well as density and height. Because of the hilly nature of the site, the proposed structure would be five stories high in front and six stories in the rear. Partly because of the height differential, the seven-member zoning board has asked for further information before it will consider the application complete. Only then can a public hearing be scheduled, the board said. "We're waiting for additional information and if that's supplied in time, then they (BEBP) would likely be on the agenda in time for the September meeting," explained Jim Kilduff, the borough's director of planning and community development. With the Aug. 3 zoning bord meeting canceled, BEBP must supply the information—which will be reviewed by borough planning professionals—in time for the board's Sept. 7 meeting if it wants a public hearing in October. About six years ago, the vacant land, which consists of 2.2 acres, had been the proposed site of a 61-unit development that was later amended to 70 units. But the developer went bankrupt soon afterward, and a bank acquired the property before later selling it to Franklin Senior Housing. "This is 94 units we're proposing," confirmed BEBP's Sparta-based attorney Jennifer VanderWiele. "And it's going to be age-restricted and income sensitive. We'll have two different tiers of rent."