Planner Blasts AvalonBay's Wayne Application

AvalonBay’s application to construct a high-density 422-unit apartment complex on Totowa Road is not particularly suitable for the township, a municipal planner testified at Board of Adjustment meeting Monday. AvalonBay is applying to construct a 422 rental-unit complex at 150 Totowa Road.

All of the apartments would be rental units Nearly 340 units would be built in a four-story building and 86 townhouses would be spread out in 13 buildings. Of the 422 units, 134 would be one-bedroom, 228 would be two-bedroom, and 60 would be three-bedroom units; 42 units would be designated for low- and moderate-income residents.There would be about 930 parking spaces.

David Zimmerman, a certified municipal planner for three North Jersey municipalities, including Bernardsville, was hired by the New Jersey Sierra Club to testify regarding the application. The Sierra Club, a non-profit environmental watchdog group, is opposing the complex on the basis that it would increase traffic and negatively impact the environment.

“I’m not convinced there is a need for these units in Wayne,” Zimmerman said. “I don’t see how this application is particularly suitable.”

Related: Sierra Club Opposes AvalonBay Development in Wayne

Zimmerman also testified that the application should not be approved because it goes against the town’s Master Plan and Master Plan redevelopment examination report.

“Wayne doesn’t want residential use in an industrial zone,” Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman testified that the application, if approved, would establish a precedent for future applications, especially regarding the nearby properties.

“You’re establishing a precedent that would have a sustainable impact on the property next door,” Zimmerman said. “It would change the integrity of the industrially-zoned district in this area.”

Related: Expert Says AvalonBay Won’t ‘Significantly Impact Traffic At Intersections If AvalonBay’s application is approved then 156 units could be built on the 12-acre former Toshiba property next door.

“It would change the integrity of the industrial zoned district in this area,” Zimmerman said.

Testimony and questions will continue at the board’s Dec. 7 meeting. The application will be the only one on the meeting’s agenda.