MARRIOTT ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY UPDATE

As the negotiations between Marriott’s attorney, city officials and neighbors were moving toward approval to build a fourteen multifamily dwelling (townhouses) on 1.2 acres, Superior Court Judge Guida rendered his decision giving Marriott a green light to build the proposed 57,000 square foot assisted living facility with rooms for 92 residents. This is the second time Judge Guida, who sits in Hackensack, sent the project back to the Board of Adjustments for review.

To date, we don’t know what the Marriott Corporation intentions are. They could flip it to another assisted living company or they could sell their land together with the land owned by the Presbyterian Church to a developer to build a townhouse project. This last option would be the best solution for homeowners in the first and second wards. This 57,000 square feet assisted living facility will change forever the quality of life of the first and second ward homeowners as it will steal emergency services from the residents of the entire city, i.e. police, ambulances and paramedics. Large refrigerated trucks will drive through Broad Avenue, Jones Road and Dana Place several times a week at any hour of the day. Linen trucks, delivery trucks, supply trucks and numerous vehicles on a daily basis will be driven by over a hundred employees coming from I-95, I-80 or Route 4. The noise pollution will be maddening for homeowners living in the above streets and cross streets like Maple, Linden, Mountain, Sherwood, Lyman Place, Dwight Place etc. on the second ward. Other homeowners living in Lydecker, Cedar, Walnut, Chestnut, Hamilton, and Booth Avenue will be affected when police cars and ambulances will make a left turn on Booth Avenue on the way to Engle Street to reach Englewood Hospital. It was estimated that these emergency vehicles will be crossing the above mentioned streets approximately 16 times per week.

Our Co-president Eugenia Vogel was quoted in a recent article in the Record saying “if this is built it will kill the East Hill”. We will keep you informed as soon as we know what Marriott Corporation intends to do. It is our opinion that the decision of Judge Guida, was wrong and most hurtful to hundreds of homeowners. The city has no standing to appeal the case nor has the East Hill Alliance and the EHOA. Only the Board of Adjustments can appeal the case.

Read Judge Guida’s decision

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