Planning board finds amended Dean Drive redevelopment plan "not inconsistent" with Tenafly master plan; asks for traffic study and Greenway review

At its March 25, 2026 meeting the Tenafly Planning Board voted to refer the Amended Redevelopment Plan for 123–145 Dean Drive to the Mayor and Council, concluding the plan is "not inconsistent" with the Borough’s Master Plan while forwarding several recommendations. Planner David Novak presented the amended plan and the background for the site, noting the proposal is intended to implement a settlement agreement and the 2026 Housing Element and Fair Share Plan.

Novak described plan specifics: an inclusionary development of 100 residential units including a 20% affordable set-aside, a maximum residential density of 23 units per acre, a hotel component capped at 200 rooms with up to 500 banquet seats, and a requirement that residential certificates of occupancy cannot be issued until the hotel is issued. He also said stormwater must meet state and municipal requirements, a traffic and parking study and a comprehensive on-site pedestrian circulation plan would be required, and developers must contribute a pro rata share for off-site intersection improvements. "The Redevelopment Plan is not inconsistent with the Borough’s Master Plan and that the plan is consistent with the 2026 Housing Element and Fair Share Plan," Novak stated to the board.

Board members questioned traffic impacts, transit access and pedestrian safety; one member proposed reducing the building by one floor to lower unit counts, and Novak noted that reducing to 75 units would require a higher affordable set-aside than 25% to still yield 20 affordable units. Mayor Mark Zinna moved to refer the amended plan with recommendations including an additional traffic study and review of impacts on the Northern Valley Greenway; the motion passed with Councilwoman Lauren Dayton voting no.