Borough Professionals to Weigh in on Grove Street Future

With no clear consensus among the governing body, River Edge will dedicate an entire April work session with the borough engineer and planner on what should be done with the former DPW yard on Grove Street.

The lot, which is partially zoned commercial and partially residential, was the subject of a prior discussion to convert the lot into commuter parking but came with a pricetag of at least $100,000.

"The borough has the opportunity to sell the property son long as it is not needed for public use," Borough attorney Thomas Sarlo said. "You have to at least offer it to the adjoining owners first and if there was no interest, you could either aution it or do a silent bidding."

Former borough attorney Sam Cereste suggested selling the lot in October to a developer after merging it into the commercial zone. The third of an acre fronts onto Kinderkamack Road but then drops 15 feet down to Grove Street. 

At the same time, the borough has been weighing its options tocreate commuter parking on the lot as a way to increase revenue. Commuter parking spaces in River Edge currently cost $200 for a year-long permit.

Borough Engineer Robert Costa proposed several options if the borough decided to convert the lot into commuter parking from laying down gravel to macadam to environmental pavers, along with lighting, drainage, and a stairway up to Kinderkamack Road.

"There are those monds that want the property on the market and sold and those that want it for public use," Mayor Sandy Moscaritolo said. "Perhaps we should get an opinion from our professionsals on what the potential development could be and it would further aid Kinderkamack Road developement or not."

Ultimately the council decided to dedicate an entire April work session to meet with Costa and Borough Planner Paul Phillips about the best use for the Grove Street property.

In October, Cereste estimated that the property could be sold for $500,000 to $600,000 but the final number would depend on the assessment. Once developed it could bring in an estimated $40,000 in taxes per year.

Follow Patch on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to our free daily newsletter.