Nutley Community Preservation Partnership

Many mature trees were lost when the lot was clear-cut.

Bloomfield Avenue & North Spring Garden Avenue, before

Bloomfield Avenue & North Spring Garden Avenue, after

Upcoming Events... Upcoming Events... Upcoming Events... Upcoming

Our next monthly meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 9 (location and topic to be announced).

Looking ahead to the Tuesday, Oct. 14 meeting, we're very excited to be hosting Valerie Sudol, Star-Ledger garden columnist. To read some of Valerie's recent articles, click here.

On Tuesday Nov. 11, (location to be announced) we will be welcoming Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club. Visit http://newjersey.sierraclub.org for more information.

While there are no general meetings during July and August, the NCPP Board of Directors is
busy planning events and meetings. What would you like us to do next? E-mail us at suggestions@preservenutley.org with your suggestions!
To read previous front-page announcements, follow this link: >> (front page archive)

Recent News... Recent News... Recent News... Recent News...

Clover Street Development Subject of Legal Action

Area Residents, Opposed to the Scale of Project, Organize to Sue Township

At its November 2007 meeting, the Nutley Planning Board approved the construction of six new homes on a 1.2 acre parcel off of Clover Street, one of the last remaining undeveloped plots of land in Nutley. This decision reversed the board's original denial of the same application at an earlier meeting in August 2007. The body granted six code variances, allowing the project to go forward.

It is essentially this "revote" which area residents object to, claiming it was improper. They plan to challenge the decision in State Superior Court.

The development was green-lighted after a long approval process by the developer and a change in architect. Revised plans consist of downsized houses on the site and a reduction from an original request of seven homes to six.

(Story continues)

NCPP Participates in Earth Day

Starbucks Corp. Pledges Donation to Group

Members of the NCPP were among those who picked up litter, spruced up parks, and planted flowers on April 19 as part of Nutley's Project Earth Day event, which drew an estimated 500-plus residents outside to help clean up the township.

Starbucks corporation, as part of the its Make Your Mark project, has pledged a $1,000 donation (Story continues)

Creative Playground to be Razed?

Commissioner Claims Rats are the Problem; Neighborhood
Residents State other Concerns

The wooden playground in Nichols Park may soon be torn down if a recent township meeting is any indication. Commissioner of Parks and Public Property, Mauro Tucci, stated that the park is a health and safety issue.

Built about 15 years ago with money raised mainly from donations and fundraisers, the so-named Creative Playground sits in close proximity to several homes on Funston Place. Residents of that street have complained about noise, parking issues, and have said that it has become a teen drinking hangout.

The NCPP would like to see the playground saved. If there are health and safety issues, we believe they can be adequately addressed to improve the functionality of the structures in question. As far as policing the area, if it has become a hangout, then perhaps a greater police presence and patrol are necessary. We believe it is a unique and valuable component of the community and should be saved by any reasonable means possible.

Read NCPP president Jim Levendusky's letter to Commissioner Tucci.

Recent News... Recent News... Recent News... Recent News... Recent

Neighbors Challenge Development in Court
Residents of Enclosure to Sue to Overturn Planning Board Decision
Several residents of the Enclosure Historic District have organized to stop construction of a project which they believe does not comply with current zoning laws or the township's master plan. The case will be heard in New Jersey State Superior Court.

The lawsuit was spurred by a developer proposal for remaking the site of the former Nutley Pools store on Passaic Avenue, near the intersection of Chestnut Street

. The proposal includes the addition of several retail stores and office space at street level as well as 12 apartments above the new structure, along with the construction of an underground parking garage.

Despite a report from the township's planner, Kasler Associates of Springfield, the board ruled that the plan was within code regarding percentage of lot coverage. The site plan filed with the township states that the building will cover 32.7 percent of the lot; Kasler contends the lot coverage is "at least 65.8 percent."

In essence, the board ruled that because a portion of the building will be elevated, or on pillars, this area cannot be counted when calculating lot coverage, therefore reducing the proposed coverage to the lower number. Code defines lot coverage as "the total building area of all buildings on a lot, including uncovered porches and accessory buildings." Elevated areas are not specifically mentioned and are up for interpretation.
(Story continues)

To read the letter from local residents regarding the proposal, click here.