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Saddle River, NJ

Saddle River public meetings in 2024

31 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.

Mon Dec 2, 2024

Mayor and Council Work Session

✓ Decided: Council approves resolutions on affordable housing support and water agreement

The Saddle River Mayor and Council approved several routine appointments and two non-routine resolutions: one supporting state legislation on fair share affordable housing obligations and another authorizing a fifth rider to the wholesale water purchase agreement with United Water New Jersey. The council also entered closed session for litigation/contract matters, but no substantive decisions were made beyond these approvals.

Mon Dec 2, 2024

Mayor and Council

✓ Decided: Council tables alarm ordinance, approves PBA contract and bills

The Saddle River Mayor and Council tabled Ordinance 24-1086 amending the borough code relating to alarms, pending further revisions. They approved the bill list (Resolution 182-24), a five-year PBA contract (Resolution 187-24), and a soil movement resolution for Saddle River Day School (189-24). The consent agenda included several routine resolutions, all passed.

Mon Dec 2, 2024

Mayor and Council

✓ Decided: Council authorizes attorney to dismiss borough application

The Saddle River Mayor and Council held a special meeting via Zoom and unanimously adopted Resolution 191-24, authorizing attorney Jonathan E. Drill to execute a stipulation of dismissal in a matter involving the Borough of Saddle River. No public comments were made, and no other substantive decisions were recorded.

Mon Nov 18, 2024

Zoning Board of Adjustment

✓ Decided: Zoning board approves minutes and memorializing resolution for 12 Red Rock Trail

The Saddle River Zoning Board of Adjustment held a regular meeting via Zoom, approving the August 21, 2024 minutes and a memorializing resolution for Raksha Gupta at 12 Red Rock Trail. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting was procedural in nature.

Wed Oct 23, 2024

Planning Board

✓ Decided: Planning Board approves Saddle River Day School expansion

The Planning Board approved the preliminary and final site plan and soil relocation application for Saddle River Day School at 147 Chestnut Ridge Road. The approval covers a new 23,000-square-foot academic building, parking revisions, new tennis courts, and site improvements. The vote was unanimous among the seven members present, with three members absent.

Wed Oct 23, 2024

Mayor and Council

✓ Decided: Council approves bowhunters agreement with United Bowhunters of NJ

The council approved the agreement with United Bowhunters of New Jersey (Resolution 162-24) despite public objections and a failed motion to table it. The council also introduced two ordinances: one limiting political signs (24-1084) and one adding a Violations Clerk title to the municipal court code (24-1085). Several resolutions were approved, including awarding a contract for the Rindlaub Park path extension, but a soil moving application for Avalon Bay was tabled.

Wed Oct 23, 2024

Mayor and Council

✓ Decided: Council adopts sign and municipal court ordinances

The Saddle River Mayor and Council adopted two ordinances: one amending the sign code (24-1084) and one amending the municipal court administrator and deputy/violations clerk provisions (24-1085), both by unanimous vote. They also approved the bills list, a soil movement resolution for Avalon Bay, and several consent agenda items, including appointments and a channel cleaning contract. Public comment included opposition to the deer culling program and concerns about water quality at the Hollows.

Thu Sep 19, 2024

Zoning Board of Adjustment

✓ Decided: Zoning board approves portico with hardscape removal condition

The Saddle River Zoning Board approved Raksha Gupta's application for a 65 sq ft portico at 12 Red Rock Trail, despite a 0.8% building coverage variance, on condition that hardscape within 10 feet of the property line be removed. The board also approved memorializing resolutions for Versailles Realty Co. (use variance) and denied resolutions for Eiman Alian (building coverage) and Gregory Scesney (sideyard/garage variance). Minutes from July 17, 2024 were approved.

Wed Sep 11, 2024

Zoning Board of Adjustment

✓ Decided: Zoning board approves personal training studio use variance, denies patio roof extension

The Saddle River Zoning Board approved a use variance for Alloy personal training studio at 171-175 E. Saddle River Rd., allowing the business to operate in a CB zone where gyms are not typically permitted. The board denied a c2 variance for Eiman Alian's patio roof extension at 18 Alford Dr., despite a revised proposal reducing the variance request. The board also approved a variance for Gregory Scesney's garage expansion at 11 Cedarwood La., subject to landscaping plan approval.

Wed Sep 4, 2024

Planning Board

✓ Decided: Planning board approves AvalonBay site plan memorialization

The Saddle River Planning Board approved the memorialization of the preliminary and final site plan approval for AvalonBay (R# 17-24) with a 4-0 vote, with one abstention. The board also approved minutes from the May 21 and June 11, 2024 meetings. The Saddle River Day School site plan application was carried to the September 3, 2024 meeting.

Wed Sep 4, 2024

Mayor and Council

✓ Decided: Council repeals local pay-to-play ordinance to align with state law

The Saddle River Mayor and Council adopted Ordinance 24-1083, repealing Chapter 55 of the Borough Code, which regulated political contributions by public contractors, to comply with the state's Election Transparency Act. The vote was 5-0 with one abstention. The council also approved the bill list and a consent agenda containing routine resolutions, including appointments and grant acceptances.

Wed Aug 7, 2024

Planning Board

✓ Decided: Planning Board approves five applications including new homes and additions

The Saddle River Planning Board approved all five applications before it, including memorializing resolutions for three properties and site plan approvals for two new homes and two additions. All approvals were unanimous among the five members present, with no public opposition. The board also approved the minutes from two prior special meetings.

Wed Aug 7, 2024

Planning Board

✓ Decided: Planning Board grants AvalonBay preliminary and final site plan approval

The Saddle River Planning Board approved a site plan waiver for Nucleo Training, LLC, a personal training facility. The board also granted preliminary and final site plan approval for AvalonBay Communities, Inc., subject to conditions, after closed sessions for legal counsel. Five memorializing resolutions for various properties were also approved.

Tue Jul 16, 2024

Mayor and Council

✓ Decided: Council adopts flood prevention, stormwater, health fee, Bishop House ordinances

The Saddle River Mayor and Council adopted four ordinances on second reading: updating flood damage prevention references to FEMA's website, establishing new septic and well permit fees, replacing the stormwater control chapter with state-mandated standards, and setting Bishop House rental fees. A fifth ordinance on signs was tabled for further study. The council also approved a consent agenda including contracts, appointments, and soil movement permits, and tabled a resolution for architectural services for the fire department project.

Wed Jun 26, 2024

Mayor and Council Work Session

✓ Decided: Council adopts police department staffing ordinance and hires two officers

The Saddle River Mayor and Council adopted Ordinance 24-1082, amending the police department composition, and appointed two probationary police officers. Resolutions for shared court services with Washington Township were carried pending judge approval, and estimated tax bills for Q3 2024 were approved.

Wed Jun 26, 2024

Mayor and Council

✓ Decided: Council introduces six ordinances, approves grant application for park path

The Saddle River Mayor and Council introduced six ordinances on first reading, including changes to sign regulations, flood damage prevention, Board of Health fees, stormwater control, Bishop House rental fees, and police department composition. They also approved a resolution to apply for a Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund grant for the Rindlaub Park path extension Phase 3. The consent agenda was approved, which included appointments, purchases, and contracts. No final decisions were made on the ordinances; they will be considered for final passage at future meetings.

Wed May 29, 2024

Planning Board

✓ Decided: Planning Board continues AvalonBay application to June 11

The Planning Board approved the minutes from April 2, 2024, and granted the applicant's request to adjourn the AvalonBay site plan application to the June 11, 2024 meeting without further notice. The applicant extended the decision deadline to June 30, 2024. The unresolved issue is sewage flow capacity, with Allendale confirming it will accept the current flow but not any increase.

Tue May 21, 2024

Mayor and Council

✓ Decided: Council adopts $10.8M budget, $1.89M bond ordinance

The Saddle River Mayor and Council adopted the 2024 municipal budget of $10,795,437.79, approved a $1,885,488 bond ordinance for capital improvements, and passed ordinances to exceed budget caps and fund the Twin Brooks Culvert Phase II. All votes were unanimous (5-0) with Councilman Kurpis absent. The council also approved a consent agenda including hiring a DPW laborer and selling a firearm to a retiring officer.

Wed Apr 24, 2024

Planning Board

✓ Decided: Planning Board continues AvalonBay hearing, no final decision

The Planning Board continued its review of the AvalonBay application, a proposed 275-unit residential development with 33 affordable housing units. No final decision was made; the board heard testimony from the applicant's architect and operations executive, and discussed fire safety, signage, and stormwater concerns. The applicant agreed to reduce a proposed blade sign from 22 feet to 16 feet in height. The hearing was continued to April 2, 2024, with several items still to be resolved, including a water moratorium, sewer approval from Allendale, and soil borings.

Thu Apr 18, 2024

Zoning Board of Adjustment

✓ Decided: Zoning board approves home renovation with setback variance

The Saddle River Zoning Board approved a variance for Ahmed Aly at 38 East Saddle River Rd. to renovate a vacant home, including raising walls and adding windows, despite a front yard setback of 24.68 feet (41.18 feet from road center) versus the required 25 feet. The board also approved the March 20, 2024 minutes and Resolution 09-24 memorializing a prior decision for Rui Pires at 15 Fox Hedge Rd. All votes were unanimous with one abstention on the minutes and resolution.

Thu Apr 18, 2024

Zoning Board of Adjustment

✓ Decided: Zoning board approves Fox Hedge Rd. setback variance

The Saddle River Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a variance for a proposed home at 15 Fox Hedge Rd., reducing the required front yard setback from 125 feet to 85.5 feet. The variance was granted due to the hardship posed by Packer Brook bisecting the property, which includes flood and wetland areas. The application was approved unanimously (8-0).

Mon Apr 8, 2024

Planning Board

✓ Decided: Planning Board grants variances for AvalonBay's 275-unit project

The Planning Board continued its review of the AvalonBay application for a 275-unit residential building, granting several variances and exceptions, including a C2 variance from the emergency generator ordinance and exceptions for retaining walls over four feet. The board also resolved outstanding issues on stormwater and potable water feasibility, but tabled the application to May 7, 2024, pending confirmation of sewer capacity from the Borough of Allendale.

Fri Mar 22, 2024

Zoning Board of Adjustment

✓ Decided: Saddle River ZBA reorganizes, appoints officers and professionals

The Zoning Board of Adjustment held its reorganization meeting, administering oaths to new members and unanimously approving resolutions appointing the board attorney, engineer, landscape architect, officers, filing fees, bylaws, application form, and the 2023 annual report. The only application on the agenda was carried to the next meeting at the applicant's request.

Tue Mar 19, 2024

Planning Board

✓ Decided: Planning Board hears AvalonBay site plan, extends decision deadline to April 30

The Saddle River Planning Board reorganized, electing Nicholas Lonzisero as Chairman, Carol Boyajian as Vice Chairwoman, and Jerry DeCrosta as Secretary, and approved resolutions appointing the board attorney, engineer, landscape architect, substitute attorney, planning expert, and 2024 by-laws. The board then began a public hearing on AvalonBay's site plan application for a 275-unit, 4-story inclusionary development at 1 Route 17 South, hearing testimony from the project engineer and landscape architect. No final decision was made; the hearing was continued to March 5 and April 2, 2024, with the applicant agreeing to extend the decision deadline to April 30, 2024.

Tue Mar 19, 2024

Mayor and Council

✓ Decided: Council discusses $422,671 Green Acres grant for inclusive playground

The council discussed applying for a $422,671 Green Acres grant to replace the current playground at Rindlaub Park with an inclusive, wheelchair-accessible playground. The project would require relocating the septic system at a cost of $40,000-$50,000 and renting bathroom trailers at about $500/month. No formal decision was made on the grant application; the council entered closed session and tabled Resolution 54-24.

Tue Mar 19, 2024

Mayor and Council

✓ Decided: Council approves consent agenda with 17 resolutions, including bids and grants

The Saddle River Mayor and Council approved a consent agenda containing 17 resolutions, covering items such as soil movement permits, a bid rejection and award for tree services, and grant submissions. The meeting was procedural with no public comments on the agenda items. All resolutions passed with one abstention from Councilman Kurpis.

Mon Mar 4, 2024

Mayor and Council

✓ Decided: Council adopts open space purchase and $1.78M bond for 210 W. Saddle River Rd.

The council unanimously adopted two ordinances to acquire 210 West Saddle River Road for open space: Ordinance 24-1072 authorizes the purchase for $1,750,000, and Ordinance 24-1073-M appropriates $1,780,000 and authorizes $1,695,000 in bonds. The council also approved a transfer resolution, the bill list, and a consent agenda including appointments and agreements. No other substantive decisions were made.

Thu Feb 22, 2024

Planning Board

✓ Decided: Planning Board approves two soil relocation applications for new homes

The Saddle River Planning Board approved two soil relocation applications, both contingent on compliance with engineer and landscape architect comments. The first, for 17 Westerly Road, involves a 6-bedroom home with a pool and seepage pits; the second, for 108 E. Saddle River Road, involves a 5-bedroom home with septic and drainage improvements. Both approvals were unanimous (8-0). The board also approved the October 3, 2023 meeting minutes and a memorializing resolution for 11 Denison Drive, with two abstentions each.

Wed Jan 24, 2024

Mayor and Council

✓ Decided: Council introduces $1.78M bond for open space purchase at 210 W Saddle River Rd

The council introduced two ordinances to acquire 210 West Saddle River Road for open space: Ordinance 24-1072 authorizing the acquisition and Ordinance 24-1073-M authorizing a $1,780,000 bond. Both were introduced on first reading and will be considered for final passage on January 22, 2024. The council also approved numerous appointments, a temporary capital budget, and a consent agenda of routine resolutions, but tabled the adoption of by-laws for 2024.

Wed Jan 24, 2024

Mayor and Council

✓ Decided: Council adopts litter and drone ordinances, approves consent agenda

The Saddle River Mayor and Council adopted two ordinances: one amending the littering code to require property owners to notify publishers via certified mail to stop newspaper deliveries, and another regulating small drones below 400 feet, including restrictions over private property, streets, and Borough facilities. The council also approved the bill list and a consent agenda containing 12 resolutions, including a soil moving permit, shared service agreements, and a conveyance of Choctaw Trail. Additionally, they authorized negotiations to acquire 210 West Saddle River Road for open space preservation.

Thu Jan 18, 2024

Zoning Board of Adjustment

✓ Decided: Zoning board approves carriage house recreation variance with conditions

The board approved a C2 variance for 116 East Saddle River Rd to add dormers to a pre-existing carriage house for family recreation, with conditions including no rental or habitation and compliance with professional reports. The board also approved memorializing resolutions for two prior applications and carried a basketball court tent variance request to the next meeting.