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NorthJersey.com
Sept 3 2011
Armenian old-age home debated in Emerson
Saturday, September 3, 2011
BY CHRIS HARRIS, STAFF WRITER, The Record
Print | E-mail EMERSON - Residents want officials to deny a
controversial proposal to raze, and then replace, the Armenian Home
for the Aged on Main Street. They cite concerns of increased flooding,
traffic and rodents.
The Land Use Board continued hearing the application Thursday night
during a meeting that was well attended by homeowners who live in the
neighborhood.
The $15 million proposal, which would increase the number of beds at
the Armenian Home for the Aged from 86 to 117, will take an estimated
18 months to complete. The plans call for a new 2.5 story building on
the side of the property where it meets Clinton Street.
The home currently sits on Main Street, toward where the property
abuts Glenwood Avenue.
Allen Bell, an attorney representing the home, said several revisions
had been made to the proposal since last month's board meeting. These
modifications, Bell said, were a direct response to fears raised by
residents at that meeting.
To address flooding concerns, more drainage was added to the schematics.
For residents who worry more beds will bring more deliveries and
hence, more traffic, the plan calls for a widening of Clinton Street,
which would also be turned into a one-way. The home's administrators
testified they would work with vendors to ensure deliveries arrive by
van or box truck, and not by tractor-trailer.
The home's proposed trash bin was shifted to a more isolated location
following claims that more patients would result in more refuse, which
would in turn attract more rodents. Bell said the home would purchase
an ATV-like vehicle, to shuttle garbage from the facility to the trash
container.
Richard Masiello of Clinton Street, who has lived in Emerson for more
than 50 years, said the site for the home was on swampland, which he
contended would lead to more flooding.
"You'd be crazy to build in a swamp," Masiello said, adding his
basement has come close, but has never experienced flooding. "If I get
a single drop of water in my cellar after this thing goes up, I'm
gonna sue."
Masiello, like several other residents, bemoaned the home's
not-for-profit status.
"We pay taxes - they don't," Masiello said. "This inconveniences us. A
$15 million building is a big ratable."
Donald Picano of Broad Street told the board "to look out for"
taxpayers and added that "if the town lets [the home] get away with
this, then you should be ashamed of yourself."
Theresa Cannata of Clinton Street said the proposal would create
health concerns for the surrounding residents, and said if approved,
"this plan will ruin our entire neighborhood."
Anthony Barratia, who lives on Broad Street, encouraged the board to
"vote with your conscience. Doing otherwise would be a failure."
Bell repeatedly reminded the board that the Armenian Home for the
Aged's status as a non-profit was irrelevant to the land-use issues
being considered.
After more than three hours of testimony, the Land Use Board moved to
table the application until its next meeting in two weeks.
"A decision would not be appropriate at this time," Chairman Mark
Orecchio concluded.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/129176533_Neighbors_opposesenior-home_plan.html
Sept 3 2011
Armenian old-age home debated in Emerson
Saturday, September 3, 2011
BY CHRIS HARRIS, STAFF WRITER, The Record
Print | E-mail EMERSON - Residents want officials to deny a
controversial proposal to raze, and then replace, the Armenian Home
for the Aged on Main Street. They cite concerns of increased flooding,
traffic and rodents.
The Land Use Board continued hearing the application Thursday night
during a meeting that was well attended by homeowners who live in the
neighborhood.
The $15 million proposal, which would increase the number of beds at
the Armenian Home for the Aged from 86 to 117, will take an estimated
18 months to complete. The plans call for a new 2.5 story building on
the side of the property where it meets Clinton Street.
The home currently sits on Main Street, toward where the property
abuts Glenwood Avenue.
Allen Bell, an attorney representing the home, said several revisions
had been made to the proposal since last month's board meeting. These
modifications, Bell said, were a direct response to fears raised by
residents at that meeting.
To address flooding concerns, more drainage was added to the schematics.
For residents who worry more beds will bring more deliveries and
hence, more traffic, the plan calls for a widening of Clinton Street,
which would also be turned into a one-way. The home's administrators
testified they would work with vendors to ensure deliveries arrive by
van or box truck, and not by tractor-trailer.
The home's proposed trash bin was shifted to a more isolated location
following claims that more patients would result in more refuse, which
would in turn attract more rodents. Bell said the home would purchase
an ATV-like vehicle, to shuttle garbage from the facility to the trash
container.
Richard Masiello of Clinton Street, who has lived in Emerson for more
than 50 years, said the site for the home was on swampland, which he
contended would lead to more flooding.
"You'd be crazy to build in a swamp," Masiello said, adding his
basement has come close, but has never experienced flooding. "If I get
a single drop of water in my cellar after this thing goes up, I'm
gonna sue."
Masiello, like several other residents, bemoaned the home's
not-for-profit status.
"We pay taxes - they don't," Masiello said. "This inconveniences us. A
$15 million building is a big ratable."
Donald Picano of Broad Street told the board "to look out for"
taxpayers and added that "if the town lets [the home] get away with
this, then you should be ashamed of yourself."
Theresa Cannata of Clinton Street said the proposal would create
health concerns for the surrounding residents, and said if approved,
"this plan will ruin our entire neighborhood."
Anthony Barratia, who lives on Broad Street, encouraged the board to
"vote with your conscience. Doing otherwise would be a failure."
Bell repeatedly reminded the board that the Armenian Home for the
Aged's status as a non-profit was irrelevant to the land-use issues
being considered.
After more than three hours of testimony, the Land Use Board moved to
table the application until its next meeting in two weeks.
"A decision would not be appropriate at this time," Chairman Mark
Orecchio concluded.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/129176533_Neighbors_opposesenior-home_plan.html