Preserving the Character of neighbors?

MASTER PLAN RHETORIC IN ENGLEWOOD, NJ

"We must preserve the character of our neighborhoods."

"WE MUST PRESERVE THE CHARACTER OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS!"

The Attorney in this video from a City Council Workshop Meeting in November of 2014 put it
eloquently. He understands subterfuge when he sees it, and he sees it in the Master Plan.

Did you ever get the feeling that they are not referring to the street on which you live?

Exactly which neighborhoods do they plan on preserving?

The beautiful empty lot on the corner of William 

This is the lot is question. The photo was taken from the
Mount Carmel Apartment parking lot.

Street and Englewood Avenue is planned to be the next multiple dwelling forced upon the 4th Ward Residents. This is another building that will over shadow and look down on the King Garden and Mount Carmel Residencies. Where is the need for all of this housing? Check out the size of  the units. Why are they so small? Why are the Companies that purchased Lincoln School given carte blanche over Englewood properties? There is no need for more multiple dwellings. There is only greed. That developer will go home to his tree lined street and sip cocktails while we deal with the problems they and our elected officials create. 

That area is part of MacKay Park and should be considered MacKay Park. It was actually and considered the part of the park when I arrived in Englewood and lived on the corner of Humphrey and Jay Streets. I have read the controversies associated with that area. Amazing what you can and cannot find when searching through the archived documents associated with MacKay Park. What would Donald MacKay and his son Malcom say about what is left of the gifts they gave the Board of Education and the  City of Englewood?

Any open grassy areas that a covered with concrete have
a very high potential to create flood conditions
for 4th ward Residents.
Is that okay with you?

I guess if you live up on the hill you never see the type of traffic and congestion that will follow construction on a site that is much too small for the project. Oh, and they plan to build it on stilts. Joseph Hoyle​, is your house on stilts? Are any of the houses along the border of MacKay Park and those brooks on stilts? Do you honestly believe that the character of your home will be preserved when the sponge provided by Mother Nature is replaced by a Four Story Apartment Building on stilts in an area that is much too small for it. Where will these new (bedroom community) residents park? Remember that the people on the Boards that must make the final decisions were all appointed by this Mayor.

Consultants have suggested that this beautiful green area
be turned into a Parking Lot.

THE PARK IS SLOWLY DISAPPEARING

Add to that the  plan to build another parking lot 

on the corner of First Street and William Street.

Check out the beautiful green spot in that "MACKAY PARK AREA" right now. How does one fix his/her brain to even suggest replacing the area with a parking lot, considering the flood conditions inherent along the route of the Brook and MacKay Park. Perhaps it is an easy decision to make when you live in Tudor Hall or on Highview Road. High above the fray and the "Destination". There again, they are paving over and selling off our park. Before long, nothing will be left of the green in this town. Tear down Paradise and put up a Parking Lot in the Paradise Valley/Swamp. Your Swamp, my Paradise.

Consultants don't live here so this area has no value to them.
Residents, do you prefer this luscious green area to
a parking lot that will probably cause flooding and that
you will not be able to use on a daily basis?

 I attended a Planning Board Meeting in which Adam Brown, Director of the Englewood Economic Developent Corporation suggested that MacKay Park should be flooded entirely in order to return it to the swamp that it was originally. He suggested this as a "smart ass" answer to the question I posed about flooding and the extermination of Open Spaces. Keep in mind that a portion of our taxes go toward the preservation of Open Space in the County and the State of NJ. Check the breakdown of where the money goes. How many different ways do I find Adam Brown's "smart ass" remark at a Planning Board Meeting insulting? If Developers are allowed to concrete all the way around the Park, you will get what he suggested. I caught the hint in the "smart ass" remark. It is already being done. Look for the announcement of the Consultant's presentation to the City Council. You want to know about this, especially if you live along the brooks that empty into Overpeck Creek.

No green property has been placed on the ROSI (Recreation Open Space Inventory) in 15 years.  On Thursday, May 28, 2015, not one of the Candidates in the debate knew what the ROSI is, so they have no clue as to the purpose. Spaces that are taken off the ROSI must be replaced. Grieco Elementary School was on the ROSI, because it was a Park. It was taken off and never replaced. 

While all of this is happening the folks on the hill are "Preserving the Character and Integrity" of their Neighborhoods. They should Build the Four story apartment building on Highview Road since it won't fit near Tudor Hall. They could also build it on Hutchinson Road somewhere near Mr. Anhalt. Perhaps some green might also be available at 394 East Palisade or on Lincoln Place. Wait a minute, the Place formerly known as Alison Park is over 150 acres. Perfect. Find another spot....Stop destroying the character of our neighborhoods! Whatsa matter, you don't like our character or something?

  Remember the water level in the brook in 2010?

Do you really want to trust that this will never happen
again based on the opinions of those who have
proven time and again that they do not consider
YOU?

Coming down the hill from Englewood Cliffs yesterday was an experience  that puts the "Destination Englewood" slogan in perspective. 

There is no NEED for this Four-Story Apartment building. There is also no need for multiple housing on East Palisade Ave that will facilitate the demolition of beautiful homes. There is only GREED. 

I am sure that the people living in all sections of Englewood find their homes beautiful. All of these areas with the varying demographics make up Englewood. The most annoying insult uttered in the last 50 yeas is the concept that Englewood is One.    

                                                                   Which One?

Maintaining the Integrity of all neighborhoods should be a priority. Spot Zoning is ILLEGAL in all of the wards.

The Divvying up of Englewood is running out of land for which the Architects may covet. 

You better watch out for your backyards.

The people of Englewood must elect Officials who are not afraid to send the Developers packing to some other town.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/four-story-apartment-may-come-downtown-1.1344051