It is clear that the new DEP regulations supporting the highlands act will have a major effect on the Christ Church application for the redevelopment of Green Pond Rd. What is not clear is just how strict the DEP is going to be when it comes to enforcement of the fines.
Based on the new regs and the fines of either $5,000 per day (doubled in some cases after 10 days of failure to notify to $10,000 per day) or $1,000 (up to $2,500 in some cases and doubled after 10 days of failure to notify) over the past 270 days Christ Church has collected fines in the neighborhood of 1.3 million per violation - I estimate at least 14 violations at a total of 18.2 million dollars - sounds like a great day for the DEP - sounds like the Highlands just found that much needed funding!
Below is a list of problems I have found with the application, I have submitted this to the DEP as have other residents of Rockaway Twp.
I am sure Mr. Whinestein can make a few bucks on this matter - you know he really should thank us for all the work we have gotten him.
Have a nice night everyone.
Lisa
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The truth wins out over slick PR and personal attacks.
The Christ Church Plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd is just too big for the area.
Currently there is a 285,723 sq ft “OBRL”-Office Business Research and Labbratory building on the site.
The applicant seeks to build a 404,000 sq ft complex including a church, publishing house, TV and broadcast studio, school, fitness center and more
Pg 5 –6 “A site plan showing all existing impervious surface, including all structures, grading, clearing, impervious surface and limits of disturbance, existing on the site 8/10/04; and all proposed development including all structures, impervious surfaces , clearing limits and limits of disturbance, including grading and
A copy of any official documentation indicating the original date of construction of the building or structure on that structure lawfully existed on or before 8.10/04
Nowhere in this application is there any mention of the underground parking garage planned for this site. This garage is 101,000 sq ft in space and will be placed beneath the main building.
There is no documentation submitted by the applicant regarding the building of the 2nd structure on the property, this building and parking were built without any authorization and were build on approximately 20 acres of wetlands – filled without remediation or permit.
As of February 12, 2005 no data has been submitted to any authority on the amount of soil disturbance that will be created by this project.
In December of 2005 new site plans were submitted to Rockaway Twp. And testifies to in planning board meetings. The applicant is no longer using the August site plan, which is the only plan that has been granted an exemption.
Pg 9 Table 1. “see exhibit L”
(Actually marked on the exhibit as “exhibit M”)
All calculations for weekly activity are based on 15 GPD – (school w/cafeteria)
Applicant fails to calculate for office space and fitness center.
Applicant fails to include data about the fitness center they are opening and offering to membership and (est. at 5,000) all residents of Rockaway Twp.(est. population of 22,000) Currently they claim the fitness center has a capacity of 144 people at one time (should be calculated at 35 per member).
The applicant has nearly 30,000 sq ft of office space for publishing business and TV/broadcast business (this space should be calculated at .100 GPD per Sq. Ft).
Letter dated 8/24/04 from Cole, Schotz at el.
Claims the property was an industrial property for 25 years and that it had 1000 employees.
This property has been zoned “OBRL” Office Business Research and laboratory for over 20 years.
Over the past 20 years the site has not had more than 700 employees and those employees operated on flex time and 2-3 shifts.
The master plan for Rockaway Twp calls for a low intensity of use on the “Green Pond Corridor”.
Letter dated 8/24/04 from Cole, Schotz at el
Claims the applicant seeks to ‘redevelop’ this former ‘industrial’ facility.
This is not an industrial property.
Letter dated 8/24/04 from Cole, Schotz at el
Claims the plan calls for “2,512 seat sanctuary, admin offices, a school, gym, rec. fields, cafeteria/dining area and ancillary improvements such as parking and roadways.
The applicant omitted key portions of the nature of operations on this site. Specifically a fitness center (not a school gym – in addition to the gym) open to the membership and residents of Rockaway Twp. Further the operation of a publishing company, TV/radio broadcast, banquet functions,
__________________
The truth wins out over slick PR and personal attacks.
The Christ Church Plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd is just too big for the area.
Claims that the total approximate ‘reconstruction’ will be 289,000
Applicant later claimed to have miscalculated the square footage, in October 2004 claiming the number to be 303,000
The square footage of the underground parking garage was not included in this number. The total sq footage of the underground parking is approximately 101,000 sq ft.
Changes were submitted to the Rockaway Twp planning board with new sq footage totaling 314,000 plus the 101,000 for underground parking thus totaling a new total square footage at 415,000.
Letter dated 8/24/04 from Cole, Schotz at el
Claims that the project it covered under Section 30 (a) (4) as “reconstruction”
This is not reconstruction but complete demolition, raising of the foundation and removal of an estimated 1,000,000 sq yds of soil.
Letter dated 8/24/04 from Cole, Schotz at el
Exhibits C and D
All site plans have been changed effective December 2004 with substantial changes to the plan and impervious coverage.
Letter dated 8/24/04 from Cole, Schotz at el
Exhibit C and D
Failed to mention the additional impervious coverage on “Lot 7”. The applicant calls for turning lane to be added to Green Pond Rd. at the entrance to the property(total of 200 ft).
Lot 7 is owned by Rockaway Twp and is within 50 feet of a C-1 waterway.
New plans added 100 feet turning lane on Lot 7 - owned by Rockaway Twp and within 50 feet of a C-1 waterway
Letter dated September 30, 2004 from State of NJ to Pastor David Ireland
“The project subject to this review includes a church campus as shown on “preliminary site plan Christ church” prepared y PPE corp. dated 7/8/03, last revised 8/6/04”
New plans with significant changes were submitted to the Rockaway Twp planning board in December 2004.
Letter dated September 30, 2004 from State of NJ to Pastor David Ireland
“3 This determination shall be considered null and void if changes are made to the project that would increase the scope or area disturbed by the project or result in the change in the use or change the method of wastewater treatment; or if the information submitted to obtain this determination from the Department is later determined to be inaccurate.”
See above
** There has been vast portions of the project that have been under reported or reported in a manner that has blurred the true scope of the project.
See above
**There have been omissions to the plan that show a vast difference in the plan submitted verses the actual size of the plan. The omission of 101,000 sq. ft of space
See above
** there have been changes to the site plan that increase the scope of the project.
Letter dated October 19, 2004 from Upper Rockaway River Watershed Association to K. Klipstein DEP
The applicant failed to notify the DEP of the unlawfully obtained land it planned to build upon. The letter and supporting documentation submitted clearly shows the unlawful utilization of this land currently and therefore all future development should be banned on this site.
Original submission called for the use of a “down stream defender”
The down stream defender is no longer being called for and an alternative method is now being offered by the applicant.
It seems like I lost my formatting - but I think you get the gist.
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The truth wins out over slick PR and personal attacks.
The Christ Church Plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd is just too big for the area.
Do you have any idea when we will be hearing anything from the DEP about CC's exemption? We've heard they are reviewing the exemption and that was a while ago.
Did anyone notice if any of the newspapers picked up on these new regulations? I have not. I wonder why? It certainly is newsworthy from the global perspective. Or, would this be embarassing for CC, thus not published?
I do think that it was covered back around May 9-10 it was only a small article I saw, I actually heard about it first from the Highland Coalition ListServe I am part of.
It is far from a secret and CC is well aware there are major problems ahead. I have recieved some additional news that is VERY promising. I would suggest if anyone is looking for commercial property in the Rockaway Twp area they may wish to speak to a commercial real estate agent as there is a NEW listing on Green Pond Rd.
Keep the faith,
Lisa
__________________
The truth wins out over slick PR and personal attacks.
The Christ Church Plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd is just too big for the area.
Very Kewl! Anyone here in town want to go in with me on its purchase? We would not have to knock down the buildings to have a very useable office / scientific laboratory complex! We would not have to change anything there to have a successful venture. Please advise - - -
BTW - It could be very profitable, (lease out space for office use) despite the property taxes.
I called some friends and family members to find out what there is to know about real estate on GPR. Unfortunately, I found out that commercial real estate is not MLS 'ed; it is in a completely different database available only to those who specialize in the commercial side of things.
But, I would think that, if this were true, some newspaper would want to "scoop" it.
I gotta laugh. You do have it good, buddy. All that I would need would (if left to my own devices) would be the flat horizontal surface and not even the concrete floor with a roof above it, except for one thing. I am married and my wife has attempted to civilize me, despite my resistance. Thus, I can not enjoy the real basics in life as you can! Bring back the good olde frat days. No money. No possessions. No nothing. No responsibilities. It was great.
Any idea why CC would continue with the application if the property they have in mind could be sold out from under them? Perhaps they have a right to top any offer that's received. That would put Agilent in a no lose position but CC would not know for sure what the price is and whether it would be within their means. Any non-confidential information or speculation would be appreciated.
