LETTERS

Let's take a comprehensive view on development

To the Editor:

The YM-YWHA property is under contract for sale, with the developer purchaser's price subject to the results of the effort to re-zone for high rise, high density housing. The more housing allowed, the more valuable the property is to the developer.

The original application was unconventional because of the significance to the Borough of the Y. That is no longer an issue. Therefore, there is no reason why the applicant should be granted special status in making an application, such as applying to create a new zone, as had been proposed. If the application is not standard, it should be rejected.

In light of additional housing and other development anticipated at the Cenacle, on Cleveland Avenue, and downtown, which were not part of the picture at the time of the original application or its traffic studies, the Planning Board should defer consideration of any further large lot rezoning pending a Borough-wide study of the long term effect on all aspects of the quality of life within the Borough, and provide opportunity for input of Highland Park's interested citizenry as would be done with a new master plan.

The issue of possible additional extensive and expensive infrastructure requirements from significant new development throughout town, such as potential school overcrowding, possible overloading of old sewers and water lines, and fire safety concerns, needs to be considered relative to such large parcels.

This parcel -- and any other of similar size or larger -- must not be considered as if it were outside the context of the entire Borough and region.

-- Jeffrey Aaron

The author writes as president of the Highland Park Citizens for Responsible Riverfront Development.