Ramsey
February 27, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES
IV • Page 9
Russo Development was due to appear before the Ramsey Zoning Board of Adjustment last week, but has instead requested an adjournment of its variance application that, if approved, would allow the construction of a 196-unit apartment complex. The applicant may appear at the board’s March 20 meeting, but the borough’s governing body is now questioning whether the board has jurisdiction in this matter. In a Jan. 25 letter signed by Mayor Christopher Botta, he and the Ramsey Council expressed concern regarding the application, and claim the case may actually be a rezoning request that should be heard by the borough’s governing body. The applicant is proposing the construction of an apartment complex at the Ramsey Building and Paver Supply
Mayor & council believe they should hear application
property on Island Road. Russo Development of Carlstadt, who built the NYSE Euronet data center in Mahwah, has applied to the Ramsey Board of Adjustment to build the multi-family rental complex on the 7.1-acre site off Route 17, which is zoned B-3. Last week’s hearing would have been the first on this application. In his Jan. 25 letter to Chairman Howard Cantor and the zoning board’s general membership, Mayor Botta wrote: “The mayor and council have reviewed the proposed application, and subsequent amendments, submitted by Russo Development for the above referenced property. The governing body, while taking no position on the specific merits of the application, does believe that the proposed development is not subject matter for variance relief
under the Municipal Land Use Law, as well as the Borough of Ramsey’s Master Plan. It is our opinion that the proposal constitutes a request for zoning, and that such a request should properly be brought before the mayor and council. “It is customary that proposed developments of this magnitude, which will impact every layer of our community, be brought first to the attention of Ramsey’s elected officials, the mayor and council. The mayor and council have the direct responsibility for providing for the overall well-being of all residents of the borough. The governing body only learned of this rezoning proposal after (continued on page 11)
Citizens of the world
Under the leadership of Mrs. Jessica Smith and Ms. Kate Miller, Tisdale School in Ramsey launched its citizenship project for the month of February. Each class is collecting school supplies for Frog Pond Elementary School in Little Egg Harbor.