Residents Urge Twp. to Preserve Historic Homes

Residents were able to offer their last thoughts on the Master Plan re-examination Wednesday, with several pushing to protect Wyckoff's historic homes.

The Planning Board held a public hearing on a re-examination of the plan, which exists as a guide for development and land use in the township. The board aims to accept the document next month, after a revision process this spring that was marked by the inclusion of public input.

Most of the speakers Wednesday took part in the process, whereby residents were invited to attend workshops of an ad hoc committee composed of representatives of a variety of township boards and commissions. Most of the suggestions offered at the hearing have been incorporated into the draft version of the plan, prepared by Kauker & Kauker, Wyckoff-based planning consultants.

Principal Michael Kauker told the board that the ad hoc committee—made up of Zoning Board, Planning Board, Shade Tree, Recreation Commission, Design Review and other members—"put forth a great deal of effort... to identify present-day planning and zoning issues that need addressing." The resulting document will "set the foundation for future studies and actions," such as the adoption of ordinances.

Among those issues are an open space and recreation plan that will be part of the final document, as well as a historic inventory of homes, drafted by resident Michael Brienza, that the board could accept with the goal of establishing historic preservation ordinances in the township.

Brienza reiterated his support for historic preservation, which he expressed while taking part in the ad hoc committee's public sessions. As a construction professional who has worked on homes designated historic, "even I was surprised at what I found," when reviewing the township's housing stock.

Brienza asked the board to consider a push to preserve historically significant homes that existed before the township's incorporation, as such a move "makes Wyckoff a richer and more diverse place."

The draft version of the Master Plan re-examination does include such a goal, "to identify and recognize buildings and places that have significant historical value."

Committeeman Brian Scanlan, speaking from the audience, also voiced his support for historic preservation, saying such a designation would "open up opportunities to homeowners" in the way of grants, rather than burdening them with restrictions on development.

Linda Vreeland, chair of Friends of Wyckoff, was "delighted there's a historic preservation element" to the plan, and urged the township to establish a historic preservation commission that could help homeowners achieve grants and housing loans.

Richard Lynch, a Sicomac Avenue resident who attended the ad hoc sessions, backed the idea, as well, saying many of Wyckoff's old homes are "irreplaceable treasures.

"You can just tell there's something special when driving through Wyckoff," Lynch said.

Eugene Lipkowitz, an Old Woods Road resident who also took part in the ad hoc committee sessions, reiterated support for the idea of providing a link for those moving between (privately owned) Boulder Run and the Greenwood shopping center, to cut down on traffic in the business district while providing a more satisfying experience for those who currently drive from shop to shop. He would like the Master Plan to incorporate a call for a grade-level road crossing over the railroad tracks to enable shoppers to access the Post Office on Greenwood, Boulder Run and the possible future ShopRite on Greenwood without having to use Franklin or Wyckoff avenues. Lipkowitz recognized that state law could be a barrier to such efforts near the tracks, and that Wyckoff should essentially go "on record" as supporting the idea if allowed to do so.

Scanlan expanded on the theme of easier access, urging the inclusion of a goal to better link residential areas via bike and pedestrian connections, perhaps utilizing municipal land.

The Master Plan draft includes a report on the Central Business District, with a goal of creating a "unified and more vibrant" district. Kauker's draft incorporates the idea of a footpath or pedestrian bridge linking Boulder Run and the Greenwood shops, as well as a footpath to the YMCA and Spring Meadow condos. 

George Pitts, an ad hoc attendee and member of Friends of Wyckoff, was "delighted to see" that the re-examination draft suggests supplementing Wyckoff's tree ordinances with new legislation to prevent the clear cutting of trees; requiring commercial property owners to maintain and/or replace trees and landscaping; and a measure to protect older, larger trees known as Heritage trees.

"I hope that involves Heritage trees throughout the township," Pitts said, urging language to any such ordinance that would make clear that such trees must be protected on all land—residential, municipal, commercial.

Tom Buda, a Lakeview Drive resident who has urged the township for help in repairing the dam at Rambaut Lake, questioned whether preserving the lake had made its way into the Master Plan re-examination. It has; the historic preservation component of the draft notes that "it is recommended that consideration be given to preserving Rambaut Lake."

Buda added that it "appears the Township Committee could be in a position to offer up solutions" for a lake "that deserves a lot more attention than merely a body of water." The governing body has discussed the possibility of assisting the lake's nearby residents and caretakers, although no decisions have been reached as to the extent of township involvement, if at all. 

Board Chairman Richard Bonsignore said after the meeting that Kauker & Kauker will take the public's opinions into consideration in preparation for a final draft of the Master Plan re-examination, scheduled to be adopted on July 14.