Maple Street Hotel Proposal Denied; Residents Applaud Ruling

After more than a year of lengthy hearings, Oster Apartments was denied its request to build a 135-unit, six-story extended stay hotel on a quiet street off Spring Valley Road. 

The Paramus Zoning Board denied the application 4-2, with Nicholas Ionetti and Walter Vavosa casting the dissenting votes.

A group of residents, who had pleaded with board members to vote against the proposed hotel, cheered and embraced each other when the decision came down. 

Several residents had argued that a hotel at the base of Maple Street would increase traffic on the small, dead-end road and drastically change the landscape of the neighborhood. 

During testimony Thursday night, Oster engineer William Page testified once again on the proposed height of the building. Page said the applicant would agree to lower the grade by 4 feet, which would lower the property but would not change the proposed height of the building.

A buffer zone consisting of evergreen trees had been proposed but Zoning Board members remained concerned about the difference in height between the top of the hotel building at its highest peak and the highest residential home on Maple.

The proposal also called for an additional access road to be constructed from Maple Street to Farview Avenue, which would serve as the entry point to an extended stay hotel. Page testified that there would be no access to the property from Route 17, due to upgrades to the roadway that eliminated an exit ramp.

Anika Ramian, a 35-year resident of Maple Street, argued that a six-story hotel would increase traffic, adding that she feared for the safety of her grandchildren should the application be approved. 

"Paramus is a gem," Ramian told the board. 

Anita Diamentes, a 25-year resident echoed Ramian's safety and traffic concerns.

"Let's not destroy our town," Diamentes said.

A fellow hotel owner, Nate Patel, of the Holiday Express on Route 17, told the board that hotel business is down thanks to the downturned economy. He said with increased video conferencing and webinars there is less need for extended business travel, the intended clientele or the proposed development.

See related stories:

Hearings Continue on Hotel Proposed on Maple Street

Board Hears Plan for Disabled Housing

Oster Apartments Hearing Slowly Continues

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