Doug Fenashal, spokesperson for K. Hovnanian said on Thursday that the decision to withdraw the project was based on several factors.
“As the market is adjusting, we took a look at a number of projects. Eagle Ridge is no longer economically viable. We cannot justify the expense of dealing with the same regulatory tests over and over again. We shouldn’t have to prove things multiple times for a permit.”
Fenashal said that West Milford might regret losing its “last opportunity for a significant rateable.”
But in town, Eagle Ridge was almost unanimously opposed.
Councilman James Warden said he was “thrilled to death” with the situation. “All this fighting has paid off,” he said.
Eagle Ridge Housing Project Is Dead
Friday, November 10, 2006
WEST MILFORD -- The proposed 288 unit townhouse development known as Eagle Ridge is officially no more.
Doug Fenashal, spokesperson for K. Hovnanian said on Thursday that the decision to withdraw the project was based on several factors.
“As the market is adjusting, we took a look at a number of projects. Eagle Ridge is no longer economically viable. We cannot justify the expense of dealing with the same regulatory tests over and over again. We shouldn’t have to prove things multiple times for a permit.”
Fenashal said that West Milford might regret losing its “last opportunity for a significant rateable.”
He also said as part of Hovnanian’s plans for Eagle Ridge that there are 33 homes in the surrounding area with low-yield wells for which Hovnanian would have provided water. “Those people would have benefited from the project and now, what, the township is going to help them?”
But in town, Eagle Ridge was almost unanimously opposed.
Councilman James Warden said he was “thrilled to death” with the situation. “All this fighting has paid off,” he said.
Warden hopes that the rest of the council will back him on a plan to purchase the land. He said as open space the state will foot half the bill and the county a quarter. That leaves West Milford to come up with 25 percent of the price. “Thank God the open space money didn’t end up going to recreation. Because it’s still there, buying the property, which is the right thing to do, is possible.”
Warden was referring to a referendum township residents rejected which would have released money from the open space fund to cover costs associated with recreational facilities.
Warden also said Hovnanian has filed a $4.5 million lawsuit against the owners of the property.
The council voted this week to move forward with withdrawing from the Wanaque Valley Regional Sewer Authority.
Although West Milford belongs to the sewer authority, the township does not use it.
Councilmen Philip Wiesbecker and Joe Smolinski voted to wait on the issue, but Warden, Councilman Bob Nolan and Council President Bill Gervens overruled them to move forward.
As a result there will be a public hearing on the matter on Dec. 6.
Copyright © 2006 Straus Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.
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