Waldwick April 10. 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Waldwick Borough officials last week reached agreement in principle with developer K. Hovnanian Homes over the construction of the second phase of the Farm Estates project on Crescent Avenue. Better known as the DiPippo Farm, the site has lain undeveloped since 2006, when the first phase was constructed and developer Robert Gallo Jr. of Six Gees Development did not have the funds to complete the entire project. Last year Hovnanian had proposed to purchase from Gallo the undeveloped portion of the 9.7-acre property, and build the remaining 31of the 55 units originally approved for the development. But Hovnanian wanted to raise the height of the four townhouse buildings to accommodate three-story homes without basements, and also proposed that each unit Officials reach agreement on DiPippo site project have a deck on the second floor, a twocar garage and a wider driveway. His proposal was rejected by the Waldwick Planning Board after substantial opposition from neighboring homes. According to Borough Attorney Craig Bossong, Hovnanian is now ready to enter into a revised developer’s agreement with the borough adhering to the plans as originally approved. “As the mayor and as a homeowner in that area, I am pleased that the project is back on track and will be completed in a reasonable time frame. Hovnanian ,Gallo and the Borough of Waldwick will continue to work together to move this project forward so that the residents in that area can once again enjoy the beauty of their homes and property,” said Mayor Thomas Giordano following the settlement meeting. “It is good to know that the builder is committed to the project and wants it completed as fast as we all do.” Hovnanian is now looking to purchase from Farm Estates only the development rights for the purpose of building and marketing the remaining townhouses. The new construction will be on the still undeveloped 3-acre westerly end of the old farm site near Pineview Drive and Durante Road. The town’s agreement is contingent on the closing taking place with Six Gees. “If all goes well, they (Hovnanian) are looking to close the deal with Gallo in the middle of May,” Bossong said. As part of the closing, Gallo will pay the $140,000 in back taxes he owes on the property and has already made the final payment of $70,000 to the town’s affordable housing trust fund. The Farm Estates project was initially required to provide 11 affordable housing units in accordance with Council on Affordable Housing (C.O.A.H.) guidelines. Gallo chose to provide only seven units and contribute $140,000 towards the other four, making a $70,000 payment when he built the first half of the development in 2007. Gallo will not be completely removed from the project, Bossong said, as he will still own the property and remain responsible for the site improvements such as landscaping and final paving of the roadways. If Gallo fails to complete those improvements, however, the borough has a bond in place to use to complete the work and finalize the project. As part of the developer’s agreement, Hovnanian will secure the site from unauthorized access, level the large pile of dirt that is currently on the site, and make certain that all construction vehicles utilize the appropriate entrance, Bossong said. “I’m happy things appear to be moving forward. I’ll be happier when the project is completed,” said Borough Administrator Gary Kratz. He said completion is expected to take about 24 months depending on the real estate market.