Montclair won't be getting a new hotel after all. Developer/investors Steven Plofker and John Cali have scrapped the plan and submitted another. They're saying, in this case, size does matter, but maybe this had something to do with their decision. Now, they're thinking condos. From The Star Ledger:
...a scaled-down five- story structure with 52 residences atop a small slice of retail and 78 parking spaces has been proposed for the site.The designs -- one modern and one traditional -- were detailed for what is now a parking lot across from The Siena, a 101-unit luxury condo development whose first buyers are just moving in.
At the hearing, Roncati said a new 60-foot "L-shaped" building would have four floors of residences atop one story of parking, with the more traditional facade incorporat ing heavy cornices and more railing on the balconies.
The latest plan for the Church Street lot, said HPC chair Ted Lippincott, was missing something: The "Amended Hahne's Redevelopment Plan" requires that the 100 public parking spaces there be replaced in any new development.At the HPC hearing, Owen categorized that piece of the redevelopment plan as a separate issue to be dealt with after a site plan is presented to the Montclair planning board in a month or two. But Remsen said the parking issue could be a stumbling block.
"That was clearly stated as a condition," Remsen said. "On that point alone, it's going to face some obstacles."
Guess this means Liz will have to come up with some new lyrics...
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Comments (61)
Sure, more condos, just what we need. How about selling off all the vacant condos (both new and old) we have on the market right now? Have they been following the real estate news? Are they aware that we're in a real estate slump?
They were always thinking condos.
I guess that part of town will be shut down once again, with construction vehicles taking over the streets.
Do tell Liz.
Montclair better wake up and realize that it has no need or room or parking for this influx of development.
Bloomfield Avenue in the downtown area is way to congested now with traffic. Have you tried to just cross the street on foot lately?
Great, more condos.
I agree with Liz, they were always thinking condos. Many people believed that from the beginning.
Aren't Caliplofker building townhomes also where the old Gibbs school is? How much new housing stock does the town need in this market.
If I wanted to put in condos, i would ask to build a 45 story commercial building, with a heliport on the roof. Once everyone flipped out about that, condos wouldn't sound too bad.
If they build one more condo it should at least be for an active adult community which wont burdon the schools.
That's pretty much what they did, realistic: proposed a seemingly 8-to-10 story hotel, judging by the rendering.
What the article refers to as a "scaled-down five-story structure" actually should be phrased along the lines of "...a five-story structure, the maximum contemplated by the current plan, with 22 fewer parking spaces than promised when initial development authority was granted..."
At least it sounds like the height is closer to the town's plan. Are any variances beyond parking going to be required?
Will there be a Starbucks in the new condo? I've noticed some crowding conditions at the Starbucks in the Sienna.
Will I get a refund on my reservation at Hotel Caliplofker for New Years 2011?
A ratty old parking lot is much better! I wish we had an abandoned old department store back too! Really, folks?
Yeah, out me down for the really folks side. I'd rather have the parking then more condos.
Drob above is right. It also behooves those so annoyed with even the idea of condos to suggest other uses for the property which might prove equally profitable for its owners and developers. And the word "equally" is key in our capitalistic society.
Yes, too, jimmy229oz, we don't want to "burdon" the schools any more than we have to, so God bless those "active adults." I, however, have always rather liked Eric Burdon. As is my wont.
Seriously, what good are condos if they just sit empty? How does this benefit anyone?
actually it seems to me the only legitimate concern for the public is code compliance.
"Seriously, what good are condos if they just sit empty? How does this benefit anyone?"
I spoke to plofker this morning, and he told me that, pretty much, the only reason he wanted to do this was to piss off baristanet posters.
Mr. Plofker has done much good in the community and his projects have been generally good, too (aren't the buildings with Watchung Booksellers and Montclair Bikery by him?).
The primary concern for Montclair should be whether he is proposing something that fits the scale and zoning of the area, as well as ensuring that the basic premises for initial town approval (for example, the parking spots) are met. Second-guessing his business plan as if we were some kind of top-down, centrally-planned economy is not called for. If the condos pay a fair share of ratables, why object?
I agree with appletony: If Plofker wants to take a loss by building condos as we head into a real estate driven recession, that's his business.
I just wonder if he's going to come up with another one of those variances that seem to be handed out like candy in this town or if the mayor et al. will actually force him to stay within code.
Even if he does put in the full 100 spaces, it can be assumed that a bit more than half will be designated for the residents of the new condos (if they are only granted 1 space per unit).
shell game
can we get back to politics, please...so, if B. Hussein Obama is the nominee of the liberal dem party...who pray tell will be his running mate?
Hillary?
Obama doesn't need a running mate.
He's got (the media), (rabid fans), (hope) what else does a man need?
Wait. He's required? Damn....
How about:
Lloyd Benson?
Mark Warner.
Al Gore.
Nah, He's got the left-liberal vote locked up. Gore wouldn't add anything. Obama will move to the right with a VP pick.
Don Henly.
I heard there was a deal struck with Mayor Remsen & Obama, that's why he isn't running for reelection.
(McCain will have to move right too.)
Ted Nugent!
Lew Rockwell
wrong, you're all wrong...it's the honorable Mr. Walleroo...that way the marsupial vote is all locked up. We need to celebrate our diversity.
Iceman and Ann Coulter...Iceman and Ann Coulter...K-I-S-S-I-N-G nyah nyah
Ann Coulter says she will campaign for Hillary if McCain gets the nod.
Spot...now you're talking.
Short version, but you get the idea...
Repossessing the U.S.A.
A Message from John Cleese
To: The citizens of the United States of America:
In light of your failure to nominate competent candidates for President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately.
Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (except Kansas,
which she does not fancy).
Your new prime minister, Gordon Brown, will appoint a governor for America without the need for further elections.
Congress and the Senate will be disbanded.
A questionnaire may be circulated next year to determine whether
any of you noticed.
MM.....Bingo...I needed a good laugh today...
Obama would be smart to go with one of the woman governors who have endorsed him:
Gregoire (WA),
Sibelius (KS) or
Napolitano (AZ).
oops -- it's spelled "Sebelius"
The fact that some posters here have a brain-free reaction against condos is pathetic. Not everyone needs or wants a house and a yard and all the status and headaches that come with that particular combo.
Do I detect the scent of bigotry against those who are happy with a suite of rooms of their own, one or two garage spaces, perhaps a terrace, and the blessed freedom this promotes? Yup.
I have nothing against condos, J. I just don't get why someone would build new ones when 1. the market is saturated and 2. the market sucks right now.
If they can get financing, and they have a superior product, they will sell their condos to a market that definitely exists, while the crummy condos sit around vacant.
The only thing needed at this site was what it already was, parking, just with a few more levels.
My brain-free reaction to not wanting condos is based on the possibility of more kids in an already overcrowded school system (averaging 25 kids per classroom in the elementary schools per the most recent "report cards") and the possibility of higher property taxes, especially if there is a large number of kids in all of the new condos.
The chances of families is pretty slim. Anyway, do you plan on banning families if you could?
Why not limit the tenancies of good old fashioned Montclair homes to the elderly and single while you're at it?
You don't have to be an idiot about it. I didn't say he couldn't do it, I just wish they didn't.
Wow, nice 2nd post. You must be a great conversationalist.
What info do you have that says "the cances of families is pretty slim"? Only singles and childless couples buy large, expensive condos?
Congrats, Jon Doh, you have resorted to name calling and splitting hairs.
Thanks, you must just bring it out in people.
Congrats on stifling discussion and purposefully misinterpreting other's comments to suit your point of view.
Any luck pulling up those "no families in condos" stats?
25 kids with a teacher and an assistant is overcrowded?
Really?
So I assume it's not rhetorical and you actually want my opinion? In that case, yes, in my opinion.
What number makes it overcrowded in your opinion? Would 26, 27...28 still be OK in your view?
Not all K-5 grades have a full time assistant. If you have kids in K-5, you may have helped in class. I have. Many assistants are not much more than babysitters, not really educators. Again, my opinion from being in the class for 4 years.
That recent "report card" showed most nearby towns with less than 25 kids per class. Millburn had 18 I believe. That would at least make it "less overcrowded".
And, the BOE's opinion is that it is overcrowded, thus the need for a brand new school that will add 150 seats to the elementary schools (500 total - 350 lost from no longer using Rand if I remember correctly).
A new school at a cost of what...$45 and counting at last estimate?
So, regardless of my opinion on overcrowding, the BOE thinks that is the case and is willing to sink many millions into that belief, thus my fear of overcrowding and rising property taxes.
Jon Doh,
Do yourself a favor and find out the type of apartments and their bedroom count. Then you will argue with facts at your disposal.
It's about (as Miss Marta mentioned) the overall recent increase in the number of condos, not these specifically.
How about doing both of us a favor and getting that info as you were the one that stated there would be slim chances of families. Besides, I doubt Plofker is looking to put low end condos across from the Sienna.
J Perlsetin: You just said in one of your posts that not everyone can afford a house so condos can provide a more affordable living arrangement. And yes, people with children do live in 2 and 3 BR condos. "Condo," after all, is not an architectural style but a specific real estate category.
Also, contrary to what you post, there is a LOT of new construction sitting on the market right now. Just visit any real estate web site: Weichert, Coldwell Banker, Prudential, and you'll see for yourself.
Why did they spell sienna with only one "N" for this architectural gem? "SIENA" looks retarded. How is it pronounced?
Italy. Map. Get one.
Or just try Google.
My kids are past elementary school but in the 9 years I was involved in the elementary schools here I found the assistants (with only one possible exception) to be valuable and helpful on the days I helped out and from talking to other parents and my kids.
I do not think 25 kids is overcrowded in any way shape or form.
While you seem to agree with the BOE that we need a new school due to overcrowding, I don't.
A lot depends on who those 25 kids are, ROC. A couple of bad apples really makes a difference. Anyway, your kids were last in elementary school in the 1950s, who are you trying to kid?
ROC, where did I say I agreed with the BOE that we need a new school?
Being in the elementary schools more recently than the 50s, I can only tell you some of the assistants have a tenuous grasp of the English language. Not all, but a decent % and as I mentioned, there are not full time assistants in every grade.
And again, that recent school report card showed Montclair at the upper end of the kids per class in this area.