Application for New Glen Rock Senior Complex Planned Next Year

A developer eyeing construction of an age-restricted residential complex on Prospect Street in Glen Rock plans to introduce an application with the borough in January, an attorney representing the company said Wednesday night.

David Rutherford, appearing before the Ridgewood Council to discuss the project, to be located adjacent the village’s water treatment facility, said RIC Development has had “very favorable” preliminary discussions with Glen Rock officials.

Rutherford appeared in Ridgewood because the development plan entails purchasing a village-owned roadway for access to the complex.

According to his presentation to Ridgewood officials, the project would comprise three buildings with a total off 66 units – a mixture of one- and two-bedroom apartments – restricted to tenants age 62 and older.

“We believe it’s going to meet a real need for senior housing not only in Glen Rock but in Ridgewood and the surrounding area,” Rutherford said.

Glen Rock Mayor John van Keuren confirmed that discussions with the developer had taken place, and that though borough officials have no major objections, outstanding issues with the proposal remain.

“We had some concerns about the plan he had presented,” he said. “We still want to be sure our concerns are addressed and I’m not sure they have been addressed.”

The borough has been weighing the possibility of another senior housing development proposed next to the current Glen Courts complex, near the central business district.

A survey has indicated the need for senior housing far exceeds the available space at the current complex.

Van Keuren told Patch that discussions on the proposal are scheduled to continue at the borough council’s Monday night work session.

In his appearance before the Ridgewood Council, Rutherford said that a traffic study has been submitted for review by the village but that the proposal is expected to generate few additional cars in the area.

The possibility that a garage shared between the two municipalities will be constructed on the adjacent village-owned property, Rutherford said, was not a concern to RIC.

Rutherford said RIC envisions a cooperative effort in navigating the environmental issues of the site, located along the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook. Environmental approvals and an agreement with Ridgewood would be needed to proceed with an application to the borough.