| Author | Message | ||
     mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 448 Registered: 5-2001 |
For those of you who haven't seen it yet, a BLOG (web log) has ben created about South Orange by one of our residents on the nj.com site (it made the "front page" of nj.com today) Kudos to Tracey for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. Some interesting posts in there: http://www.nj.com/weblogs/southorange/ | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 455 Registered: 5-2001 |
Another great entry in the South Orange BLOG today...this time on the horror that is the development of the quarry. http://www.nj.com/weblogs/southorange/ Tracey has some great pictures which really show the clear destruction that is going on. She also raises a question which has been ignored here....WHY IS THERE NO FENCE AROUND THIS PROJECT? This is a public safety disaster waiting to happen. The only purpose the Beifus fence serves is to keep the tumbleweeds in. The quarry site (while it may be private property) is not only an eyesore, but a real public safety threat. Shouldn't something be done about this? | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 309 Registered: 8-2002 |
MHD -- just a comment. coming from an area of Jersey where a new development happened about every 6 months -- and I regularly saw the corn fields dug up, woods cleared, ponds drained -- I can say that except for the ponds area -- I never saw fencing around construction areas. Generally a "fence" of plastic or something like that to keep dirt (trash?) from blowing. But not more. I'm guessing there are some laws that developers in NJ are aware of that minimizes their liability once "hard hat area/keep out" signs are posted. That said -- I'm sure sure my 7 year old and his friends would be more than a little tempted to go deeply exploring...and a fence is called for! Mr Rosner -- any insights into requirements for fencing? Pete | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 717 Registered: 4-2002 |
MHD: The Beifus site is private property too. Pete: I will check to see if there are any legal requirements for a fence, etc. | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 459 Registered: 5-2001 |
Mark, What have you been able to find out about getting a fence around this site? I drove by again today & there is now a sharp drop off on both sides of what used to be the end of Tillou Rd. This is a huge accident waiting to happen. A "no trespassing" sign may protect the developer from liability, but it's not going to do anything to stop a kid from actually getting hurt. If there is no existing legal requirement, one should either be created, or the developer should be "encouraged to do the right thing". Thank you. | ||
| Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 373 Registered: 7-2003 |
Pete where are you from? I've noticed the same thing in my hometown. | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 462 Registered: 5-2001 |
Mark, With all the recent posts, perhaps you missed my post above from last night at 8:23pm. Can you please respond? I know the Village is aware of the situtation because I saw Sal Renda up at the site last night. We certainly wouldn't want the Village to face a lawsuit. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 725 Registered: 4-2002 |
I was waiting to hear back what the legal requirements are regarding a fence. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 738 Registered: 4-2002 |
There was no legal requirement to put a fence at the quarry. However, as pointed out, common sense dictated that one should be there and as of today, Pulte has agreed to put one up. | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 468 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thank for you attention to this Mark. I am glad you agree that is was common sense for the safety of everyone. I have not driven by today...is the fence actually up already or is it "Coming Soon"?  On a semi-related note, I did notice that there was an actual "Coming Soon" sign at the site several weeks ago, but it is now gone (fortunately). Was it taken down because it got in the way of construction or at the request of the village because it was an additional eyesore? | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 318 Registered: 8-2002 |
thanks Mark! absolutely makes sense. hope that Pulte is as reasonable about other things that are "common sense" but not necessarily required! btw -- their site now says the homes will "start in the $900's" 62 townhouses and 7 single family homes Pete (and Brett -- previous to SOV, I lived in Hillsborough NJ -- about half way between Princeton & Somerville) | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 739 Registered: 4-2002 |
mhd: I have been told the fence is up. | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 469 Registered: 5-2001 |
Pete, Whether there is actually a market for this is still TBD. What did you think of the following on their site? "Towns around South Orange are West Orange to the north, Milburn, Short Hills and Maplewood to the south, and the South Mountain Reservation borders the west." Hmm....I wonder why they aren't telling people what lies to the East. Strange. I wonder what else they aren't telling people..... | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 319 Registered: 8-2002 |
Great catch MHD! Wonder what directions they will give on their site to this development that avoids those areas ;-) There probably is a market for it -- geez, you can't buy a 1 bedroom coop in New York for that price -- but its really about how long it will take to sell this development out. What would a realtor say is the average time on the market for a $900k+ home in SO? ?? -- does the developer pay taxes on an unsold unit that has been built? from a revenue persepctive -- we'd hope the answer is yes, but that could also slow down the construction dramatically -- and how long do we want to live with the construction site in our backyards? BTW -- I thought I noticed the sign was back up again last night when I drove by. Pete | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 470 Registered: 5-2001 |
Pete, There is a huge house on Mayhew in perfect shape with an in ground pool that has been on the market for around $900K for several months already. As for taxes, as I understood it, Dr. Rosen stated a while ago that the "land" will be taxed sometime next year, but each unit won't be taxed until it is sold. | ||
| soresident Citizen Username: Soresident Post Number: 79 Registered: 10-2001 |
My recollection of a BOT meeting in September was that we were told that the units would be assessed as early as possible, perhaps when a Certificate of Occupancy was issued? It definitely was not stated at that meeting that they would not be taxed till sold (although I supposed the developer could always play around with finishing up something required till there was a contract on the unit so that no C of O could be granted). | ||
| peteglider Citizen Username: Peteglider Post Number: 320 Registered: 8-2002 |
There is a gated townshouse development across from the Livingston Mall. When I looked at those about 2 1/2 years ago when I bought here in SO -- they were starting at about $550k. And that was "pre construction" -- so there is likely a market for high end townhouses -- but this is *really* high end! Resale home pricing is such a crap-shoot. There is a ranch style house on Wyoming that was for sale at least 8+ months before I was seriously looking -- and its still on the market! The house is large, but needs huge amounts of renovation, and while its on a pretty large lot (read very high taxes) -- most of it is on a hill -- so unusable. Let's hope Pulte has the marketing genius and financial services available to quickly sell these homes and get them on the tax rolls! Pete | ||
| Allan J Rosen Citizen Username: Allanrosen Post Number: 20 Registered: 4-2003 |
The assessor has indicated that she can assess at least partially completed construction. | ||
| mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 471 Registered: 5-2001 |
Pete, That development you refer to is in Livingston - I think that in itself says alot. Real Estate prices are always generally lower in S.O. due to the outrageous taxes. If "marketing genius" by Pulte means trying to deceive people by hiding the fact that we border Newark, that's really sad. As for "quickly getting them on the tax rolls", I bet 5-10 years ago, people were hoping the same thing for Jessica Way, Village Mews, Village Green etc so it would stablize or lower our taxes. We all know that never happened and you would think people would have learned from that. If you are looking to reduce the increasing spiral of our taxes, you should really focus your energy on hoping Beifus & the Supermarket come online. The development of the quarry is not the cash cow you are wishing it to be. | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 3714 Registered: 5-2001 |
The taxes on the townhouses in Livingston run over $10,000 for a three bedroom. Given the prices for the quarry townhouses, wouldn't the taxes run in the $15,000 to $20,000 range? Is this saleable? I don't care how talented Pulte is with marketing, this is a tough sell for a townhouse home. Or will they be assessed lower? |
