Officials Won't Give up Part of Langner Place for Development

Westwood council members agreed Tuesday to keep ownership rights on the stub of Langner Place. A couple had asked for the borough to relinquish rights to allow for the construction of a home.

Dean and Shirley Vallis came to the council meeting Tuesday to ask the governing body to vacate a portion of Langner Place so they can build the home they want.

Borough Attorney Russell Huntington explained that because of wetland restrictions on the property, a home cannot be constructed in the usual place. Therefore, the Vallises need ownership rights for a portion of Langner Place that Huntington referred to it as "a paper street."

Surrounding neighbors came to the meeting to raise their concerns with the possible construction of a home there. They worried about increased flooding, decreased property values and the aesthetics of the area. The Vallises said the home they want to construct would fit in with the neighborhood.

Councilwoman Cynthia Waneck said the borough's Master Plan does not encourage construction like that proposed by the Vallises and would be wary of allowing it.

Councilman John J. Sciara said he wouldn't vote for any action that could increase the occurrence of flooding.

"I for one as a councilman here do not want to do anything that will flood any more residents in Westwood," he said. "I will no way vote for anything to help the wetland development. I think we need wetlands to absorb the water to reduce the amount of flooding that we have in our borough."

The rest of the council and the mayor agreed. Mayor John Birkner Jr. pointed out that some Westwood residents are currently trying to take advantage of the Blue Acres Program, to sell back properties in flood prone and environmentally sensitive areas.

"My recommendation would be that this governing body not entertain a vacation at this point," Birkner said. He told the Vallises if they wanted to pursue the issue, they should do it with the land use boards.

Another aspect of vacating the street is how ownership is divided. Huntington explained that the vacated portion typically gets split in half with two property owners receiving a piece.

Councilman William Phayre asked if that portion then becomes taxable. Huntington said it does, but the portion can be sold from one property owner to another if that's what the parties involved decide.