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Pompton Lakes redevelopment agency approves Washington Building redevelopment resolution
Summary
The Pompton Lakes Redevelopment Agency approved a resolution allowing work on the Washington Building at 125 Wana Q Avenue that will add residential units and keep commercial space; the developer will not receive tax-exemption and escrow amounts for the developer agreement will be finalized.
The Pompton Lakes Redevelopment Agency on Thursday approved a resolution authorizing the Washington Building redevelopment to proceed at 125 Wana Q Avenue (Block 3101, Lots 4 and 5) in the DRA-1 zone, a project that will convert upper floors to residences while retaining commercial space on the first floor.
The resolution clears the way for the developer to add eight residential units on the second floor and retain six commercial units on the first floor and some basement storage. Agency members voted in a roll call to approve the measure; the vote produced a majority in favor and the resolution passed.
The agency’s executive director, Glenn Dominic, told the board the project is a conforming plan that “does not need any changes to the redevelopment plan” and that the developer “is not looking for tax exemption or any break on their taxes.” Dominic said the developer will provide a per-unit contribution to the agency, described in the meeting as about $200 per unit, and must sign a developer’s agreement covering construction staging and noise.
Board members asked procedural questions about the agreement: the draft presented at the meeting left escrow figures blank and Dominic said those escrow amounts will be filled in before final signatures, estimating the escrow at “a $10,000 plus” amount. Agency discussion indicated the developer had maintained an escrow during prior permit work and that remaining or new escrow obligations will be reconciled in the developer agreement.
Public comment included a question about basement uses; the board confirmed existing basement storage and some commercial operations will remain as previously permitted and will not be expanded under the approved plan.
The resolution was approved by roll call: Tom Quigley (yes), Abby Novak (yes), Ken Ross (yes), Ken Kimberlin (yes), Sankey (present), and councilman Vennon (yes). The measure passed, and staff were directed to finalize escrow figures and the developer’s agreement with the developer before executing the agreement.
The agency’s approval does not create any tax-abatement or pilot program for the project; Dominic said no pilot or tax-exemption request was part of the submission.
Documentation attached to the meeting packet indicated the project team will follow standard permit processes; the board noted professionals’ invoices and existing escrow funds will be applied and topped up as needed before the agreement is finalized.
