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Message |
    
snshirsch
Citizen
Username: Snshirsch
Post Number: 302
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 12:29 pm: | 
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The last thing I recall is that Beifus had until some time in November to get their ducks in a row or face SO pulling the plug on the whole development. Can anyone suggest what the *&%#* is going on with this piece of *&$^ hole in the middle of our village? |
doublea
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 821
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 12:40 pm: |
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Beifus is scheduled to go before the Planning Board tomorrow evening, with his revised plan. My understanding is that the Planning Board has said that as long as Beifus owns the property, and the BOT has taken no action, it has no choice except to approve the plans if otherwise they comply with everything else.
My question is, if the Planning Board approves the amended plan, does this start the clock running all over again giving Beifus two more years to start construction? |
Allan J Rosen
Citizen
Username: Allanrosen
Post Number: 130
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 5:22 pm: |
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The BoT indicated how they felt about this project by removing Mr Beifus as the designated developer last September. And yes the project life will be extended for another 2 years if the modified project is approved. The BoT has no power over the Planning Board which is entirely nominated by the Village President except for the Trustee representative, currently Arthur Taylor. |
doublea
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 822
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 5:37 pm: |
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Allan - Thanks for the response. I was paraphrasing what Janine Bauer said in the News Record. What exactly is the effect of removing Mr. Beifus as the redeveloper?
It seems to me that a major problem is that as long as Mr. Beifus has an approval of the Planning Board in hand, there really is no financial disincentive to him if he does nothing. He owns the property outright, and is paying taxes on undeveloped land.
In many redevelopment situations, the property reverts to the municipality if the developer doesn't fulfill its obligations within the prescribed time period. That isn't possible here since Mr. Beifus owns the property.
Also, I don't think South Orange can require Mr. Beifus to post a performance bond which he forfeits if he doesn't meet his obligations within the time period allowed.
Perhaps there is some way that something along these lines could be structured. Probably not, but maybe it should be looked at. |
Daniel I. Goldberg
Citizen
Username: Dig
Post Number: 13
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 11:36 pm: |
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Allan - I'm a little confused by your statement that the BOT (headed by BOT President, Bill Calabrese) does not have any power over the Planning Board, when in fact, you acknowledge that the Board is, itself, appointed by Calabrese. What more power does he, or the BOT need. I don't think it is inappropriate for the BOT, and Bill to let their feelings be known to the Planning Board. The BOT by and through its President, Bill Calabrese, appointed the members of the Planning Board . . . now don't be shy about communicating to the Board what you (or better yet the residents of the Town) expect of it. Any furhter extension will only confirm that the present Planning Board, and BOT are utterly incapable of handling the Town's redevelopment (or undevelopment). |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1828
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 8:59 pm: |
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So, what happened at the Planning Board? Did Beifus get another 2 year approval? |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1834
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 27, 2004 - 11:18 pm: |
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bump...
Does anyone know what happened at the Planning Board last week? Did Beifus get approval (i.e. another 2 year extension) for his project? |
thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 709
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 9:19 am: |
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Bump, bump. |
doublea
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 825
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 9:24 am: |
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Beifus received approval of his amended plan and this gives him two more years. |
Howard Levison
Citizen
Username: Levisonh
Post Number: 177
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 9:47 am: |
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I assume that this now needs to be passed by the BOT's before this project becomes official.
I sure hope that if this project is delayed we don't pave it over for an alternative parking facility.
What will the developers agreement be available?
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Josh M.
Citizen
Username: Jmaxlaw
Post Number: 200
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 11:12 am: |
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I'm sorry-- but the BOT does not have to agree to the two year extension. Mr. Beifus has proven himself to be useless-- the property is blighted-- and the Village should take the appropriate action. |
Dan Shelffo
Citizen
Username: Openspacer
Post Number: 129
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 11:56 am: |
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Mr. Beifus earned himself some political capital by demolishing his building two days before the last election so the BoT could show progress in redeveloping downtown. I have to admit that while knocking down a building is a sad commentary on progress, it seems to have resonated with the voters.
I speculate that in return Mr. Beifus got a tax break by only having to pay property taxes on the land portion of his assessment since there were no improvements (except the hole and the fence that falls down) left on the property.
Paving over the property to make alternate parking available while Schoor-Depalma (campaign contributor) designs and or builds a parking deck, financed by bonds floated by the Parking Authority makes sense from a pay to play perspective as well.
Mr. Beifus seems content to wait while the value of his property continues to rise, first because of Midtown Direct, and then because of the variances granted him and going forward the entire infrastructure being developed around him. Plus, why knock heads with the NJT viaduct project going on right now.
As for Mr. Beifus being stripped of his preferred redeveloper status, it reminds me of double secret probation although he seems much less concerned than the Deltas were.
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1836
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 12:19 pm: |
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Mr. Blutarsky, "Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son" |
Josh M.
Citizen
Username: Jmaxlaw
Post Number: 201
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 1:22 pm: |
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I, and others, will be watching closely how the BoT votes-- including Mary "Walking Conflict of Interest" Theroux. |
Daniel I. Goldberg
Citizen
Username: Dig
Post Number: 15
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 1:43 pm: |
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Not sure about the approval procedure on Beifus' amended "plan," or whether the plan has in fact been approved, giving Beifus another two years to START construction. But, the the manner in which the Planning Board, appointed by Calabrese, and the BOT have handled this project, let alone the Shope Rite project, provides ample justification to clean house in the spring elections. We are tired, and we are not going to take it anymore. |
Rudy Huxtable
Citizen
Username: Rudy_huxtable
Post Number: 26
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 12:24 am: |
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Attention snshirsch:
I have seen no ducks down at Beifus. I guess it's safe to say that even if there were ducks, they are certainly not in a row.
I can suggest what the *&%#* is going on with this piece of *&$^ hole in the middle of our village?
Rudy's Suggestion:
They are building a New Bank, nail salon or River Boat for Gambling. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 1845
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 7, 2005 - 9:52 am: |
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I loved the quote from Beifus in yesterday's News Record:
"We should be moving something around come March"
My guess - it'll be that K-mart fence that keeps blowing over. And it'll be just in time for the election in May. |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 271
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 7, 2005 - 10:02 am: |
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how about building a parking garage there? |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 951
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 7, 2005 - 10:38 am: |
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My thoughts exactly, MHD. Some spectacular leap of forward progress will occur in late april/early may, and then the site will lay dormant for another 2 years. |
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