Hillsdale Residents,
An important Hillsdale town government decision is likely to create a damaging change to the quality of life in Hillsdale by way of a major change in our town's Master Plan.
For over two years, a group of Hillsdale Residents, led by the Scozzafava, Sanford, Bohan, Henry and Breen families have been opposing a Master Plan zoning-change application made to the Planning Board to allow rental of individual rooms in a single family house located at 150 Magnolia Avenue, 200 feet away from the George White Middle School, to 4 non-related individuals; they are recovering from alcohol and drug problems,the stated purpose was that it would be a ‘sober home’.
There were to be no sobriety support
services offered, and no on-site supervision or assistance...it was
simply to be a place for them to reside. There would be no criminal
background or fingerprint checks on the inhabitants.
The applicant stated the “...target population is 30 years of age and over...professional men…” ---that is to say, no women, nor people who could not afford the $2,500 to $3,500 per person to rent a bed. At those rent rates, the applicant would make $144,000 - $168,000 a year with full capacity of 4 adult men. For all intents and purposes, this type of facility appeared to be a rooming or boardinghouse.
The Planning Board ruled the applicants testimony as”deceitful” and identified this plan as a for-profit business, within an R-4 residential zone...and after a lengthy hearing process (lasting over a year), in October 2014 the Planning Board unanimouslydenied this applicant’s request. Since the ruling, the applicant has sued Hillsdale governance and the BoroughPlanning Board in both State and Federal court, claiming discrimination; however, she herself would be discriminating against women, younger people, War Veterans and those who are not wealthy enough to afford the $30,000 - $50,000 yearly rent per bed.
Our Citizens’ Group has been made aware that Hillsdale is planning on settling all litigation with this applicant, purely for financial reasons. This will effectively overrule and reverse the decision the Planning Board made a year ago, and cause a major change to the Master Plan and Zoning Ordinances allowing boardinghouse-like businesses to operate in Residential zones.
This also will set a dangerous
precedent: zoning by
litigation...not
just in Hillsdale, but across the United States, since legal
precedent would be set. Hillsdale Council has said there is a high
likelihood Hillsdale would win in both State and Federal courts;
however, they claim the Town’s insurance is only offering meager
coverage. They claim costs of the litigation beyond that would then
need to be covered afterwards by some other means. There are 3,300
taxpaying households in Hillsdale. If the town loses the cases, the
cost to the citizenry would be a one-time cost per household of less
than $160 (45 Cents per day!)...far less than the cost of a child’s
annual sports fees, or a coffee each business day for a whole year...
And this cost would be purely to preserve the quality of life in our
town.
If you love this town--
If you love the quality of life in its Residential areas--
If you love our charming center of town, a small-business hub for the Pascack Valley--
Then you value Hillsdale's Master Zoning Plan.
We kindly ask you to consider signing the petition showing your
support. We plan to bring the signatures of support to a special
hearing on January 14, 2016 at 7:00pm, called the ‘Whispering Woods Hearing’...it is
the final chance for Hillsdale Citizens to speak out against settling
these lawsuits and preserving the Master Plan.
Support the Planning Board’s original
decision to keep Hillsdale wonderful: let your voices be heard.
We also ask that you consider forwarding this email to your family and friends to make them aware of this issue. Your support is needed and appreciated.
Please stand with your neighbors at the
Whispering Woods Hearing at Borough Hall on January 14,2016
at 7:00pm...let the town governance see the many Hillsdale
Residents who value the wonderful quality of life we all enjoy in our
great town, and remind the Governing body that we refuse to allow
Zoning by Litigation......
Respectfully Yours,
The Hillsdale Resident Group
Updates
January 12, 2016
Two hundred fifty signatures confirmed. The Planning Board is officially paying attention.
Reached 250 supporters
January 11, 2016
January 4, 2016
The momentum is undeniable now. Hillsdale is paying attention.
December 18, 2015
100 signatures reached. The community is clearly listening.
Reached 100 supporters
December 18, 2015
49 Comments
How is denial considered discrimination when no one else can rent out rooms in their house? If this is permitted, can't everyone in an R-4 zone rent out rooms in their homes to anyone they want?
I am the parent of a 9 year old boy who will be attending George White school in September. I feel it is imperative that we keep our beautiful town beautiful & our children safe... Looking forward to standing in support of this petition at the meeting on January 14th...
There are those that will say that there would probably be no incidents, but at a block away from a middle school, is "probably" good enough for you??
I dont believe these men are criminals. Just sick people trying to get better. Perhaps they would be an asset to the community. I cant see why they would pay so much but sober living works
Although I feel this is a noble gesture to help people with addiction. It is simply not a suitable place to have such a place. It is simply to close to the middle school and with no supervison of these residents I believe it is putting the children and residents of hillsdale at unnecessary risk. Thank you
The planning board is being manipulated by the governing body...and the governing body is responding to the scare tactics of Allen Bell, Ms. Lally's attorney! I will pay the additional tax burden to take this to court. What are our public officials afraid of????
This should be no where near a middle school full of kids
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Hillsdale Residents,
An important Hillsdale town government decision is likely to create a damaging change to the quality of life in Hillsdale by way of a major change in our town's Master Plan.
For over two years, a group of Hillsdale Residents, led by the Scozzafava, Sanford, Bohan, Henry and Breen families have been opposing a Master Plan zoning-change application made to the Planning Board to allow rental of individual rooms in a single family house located at 150 Magnolia Avenue, 200 feet away from the George White Middle School, to 4 non-related individuals; they are recovering from alcohol and drug problems,the stated purpose was that it would be a ‘sober home’.
There were to be no sobriety support
services offered, and no on-site supervision or assistance...it was
simply to be a place for them to reside. There would be no criminal
background or fingerprint checks on the inhabitants.
The applicant stated the “...target population is 30 years of age and over...professional men…” ---that is to say, no women, nor people who could not afford the $2,500 to $3,500 per person to rent a bed. At those rent rates, the applicant would make $144,000 - $168,000 a year with full capacity of 4 adult men. For all intents and purposes, this type of facility appeared to be a rooming or boardinghouse.
The Planning Board ruled the applicants testimony as”deceitful” and identified this plan as a for-profit business, within an R-4 residential zone...and after a lengthy hearing process (lasting over a year), in October 2014 the Planning Board unanimouslydenied this applicant’s request. Since the ruling, the applicant has sued Hillsdale governance and the BoroughPlanning Board in both State and Federal court, claiming discrimination; however, she herself would be discriminating against women, younger people, War Veterans and those who are not wealthy enough to afford the $30,000 - $50,000 yearly rent per bed.
Our Citizens’ Group has been made aware that Hillsdale is planning on settling all litigation with this applicant, purely for financial reasons. This will effectively overrule and reverse the decision the Planning Board made a year ago, and cause a major change to the Master Plan and Zoning Ordinances allowing boardinghouse-like businesses to operate in Residential zones.
This also will set a dangerous
precedent: zoning by
litigation...not
just in Hillsdale, but across the United States, since legal
precedent would be set. Hillsdale Council has said there is a high
likelihood Hillsdale would win in both State and Federal courts;
however, they claim the Town’s insurance is only offering meager
coverage. They claim costs of the litigation beyond that would then
need to be covered afterwards by some other means. There are 3,300
taxpaying households in Hillsdale. If the town loses the cases, the
cost to the citizenry would be a one-time cost per household of less
than $160 (45 Cents per day!)...far less than the cost of a child’s
annual sports fees, or a coffee each business day for a whole year...
And this cost would be purely to preserve the quality of life in our
town.
If you love this town--
If you love the quality of life in its Residential areas--
If you love our charming center of town, a small-business hub for the Pascack Valley--
Then you value Hillsdale's Master Zoning Plan.
We kindly ask you to consider signing the petition showing your
support. We plan to bring the signatures of support to a special
hearing on January 14, 2016 at 7:00pm, called the ‘Whispering Woods Hearing’...it is
the final chance for Hillsdale Citizens to speak out against settling
these lawsuits and preserving the Master Plan.
Support the Planning Board’s original
decision to keep Hillsdale wonderful: let your voices be heard.
We also ask that you consider forwarding this email to your family and friends to make them aware of this issue. Your support is needed and appreciated.
Please stand with your neighbors at the
Whispering Woods Hearing at Borough Hall on January 14,2016
at 7:00pm...let the town governance see the many Hillsdale
Residents who value the wonderful quality of life we all enjoy in our
great town, and remind the Governing body that we refuse to allow
Zoning by Litigation......
Respectfully Yours,
The Hillsdale Resident Group
Updates
January 12, 2016
Two hundred fifty signatures confirmed. The Planning Board is officially paying attention.
Reached 250 supporters
January 11, 2016
January 4, 2016
The momentum is undeniable now. Hillsdale is paying attention.
December 18, 2015
100 signatures reached. The community is clearly listening.
Reached 100 supporters
December 18, 2015
49 Comments
If this passages, it is like opening can of worms. Every one of thee over 200 plus multiple families homes in town could do the same thing. What about zoning restrictions. Does this mean everyone can threaten the town with a lawsuit to get what they want? I guess if you have enough money, eventually you can get what you want.
How is denial considered discrimination when no one else can rent out rooms in their house? If this is permitted, can't everyone in an R-4 zone rent out rooms in their homes to anyone they want?
I am the parent of a 9 year old boy who will be attending George White school in September. I feel it is imperative that we keep our beautiful town beautiful & our children safe... Looking forward to standing in support of this petition at the meeting on January 14th...
There are those that will say that there would probably be no incidents, but at a block away from a middle school, is "probably" good enough for you??
I dont believe these men are criminals. Just sick people trying to get better. Perhaps they would be an asset to the community. I cant see why they would pay so much but sober living works
Although I feel this is a noble gesture to help people with addiction. It is simply not a suitable place to have such a place. It is simply to close to the middle school and with no supervison of these residents I believe it is putting the children and residents of hillsdale at unnecessary risk. Thank you
The planning board is being manipulated by the governing body...and the governing body is responding to the scare tactics of Allen Bell, Ms. Lally's attorney! I will pay the additional tax burden to take this to court. What are our public officials afraid of????
This should be no where near a middle school full of kids
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If this passages, it is like opening can of worms. Every one of thee over 200 plus multiple families homes in town could do the same thing. What about zoning restrictions. Does this mean everyone can threaten the town with a lawsuit to get what they want? I guess if you have enough money, eventually you can get what you want.