By Margret Brady
The final phase of the Epstein’s redevelopment began on Thursday with “lofty” discussions before the Morristown Council.
Specifically, developers pitched “loft-style” housing with significantly more units than were approved in 2005 — 59 units instead of 36. They aim to fit them into the same five-story footprint on a vacant lot on DeHart Street.
But they envision these units as apartments, not condos as originally anticipated.
The developers, the Roseland and Woodmont companies, are proposing a mix of one- and two-bedroom rentals that would include three rear-facing, first-floor units designated as affordable housing.
Council members and area residents raised questions about the higher density and its potential impact on traffic and parking, and about the implications of the developers’ proposed switch from owner-occupied to rental dwellings.
Andrew Marshall, executive vice president of development for Roseland Properties, a subsidiary of Mack-Cali, said the hearing was intended to gather input from the council and the public, before finalizing the design and requesting an ordinance to amend the original plan.
More details are anticipated at the next meeting, on Jan. 15, 2015. The council serves as Morristown’s redevelopment agency.
While she felt the presenters did a good job of explaining the history of the project and the architecture, Council President Rebecca Feldman said the council “needs to hear much more about the pros and cons of the near-doubling of the density on that site, including the fiscal impacts to the town.”
Known as “Building C,” the DeHart Street proposal marks the last portion of a redevelopment that transformed the Epstein’s department store into the 40 Park luxury condos and The Metropolitan apartments. Eighteen town homes erected on Maple Avenue also were part of that plan.
In March 2013, the same development group proposed a seven-story, 91-apartment building with no retail space. That proposal was unpopular with neighbors, and Mayor Tim Dougherty did not support it.
The updated project calls for one retail space on the ground level, and a first-floor gym for the building’s tenants. Some people at the meeting suggested more retail space, or a privately owned gym accessible to everyone, would better serve the town.
Architect Dean Marchetto unveiled plans for a metal exterior, a nod to cast-iron loft buildings dating to the late 1800s. His presentation showed a variety of these places.
Key loft elements, he said, are expansive windows and a balance of vertical and horizontal lines. He said the new design on DeHart would feature a more elaborate “loft-style” front that would fit into the streetscape. A colonade along the entire DeHart Street frontage should make it more pedestrian-friendly, he said.
With the first floor recessed 12 feet behind the colonade pillars, the public should have more opportunity to share that space, added Marchetto, of the Hoboken firm Marchetto, Higgins and Stieve.
Updated plans also call for a separate alley, to allow trash removal, deliveries and service vehicles another means of access besides the already congested entrance and exits.
Under terms of the 2005 plan, no affordable units were required for Building C. But a town ordinance stipulates that 12.5 percent of new housing be set aside as affordable units, and that formula is being applied to the 20 additional units now sought by the developers. This calculation yields three affordable apartments.
Alice Cutler, a resident of Colles Avenue, questioned whether the Morristown Parking Authority garage — situated behind the proposed apartments — would have sufficient spaces to accommodate the extra units and the needs of other residents, who park there in inclement weather.
Another Colles Avenue resident, John Brady, raised the issue of rentals vs. owner-occupied units, and also questioned whether the proposed nine-foot ceiling heights should be considered lofts.
The audience applauded when Donna McNamara of Colles Avenue questioned the need for more apartments when well over 300 units are in various stages of completion already. She also expressed a desire in more retail space.
Kevin Coughlin contributed to this report.
Epstein’s was a lovely department store at one time.. Is there actually anyone from the family living or working in that building any longer? Doubtful.
I agree that Morristown does not need more apartment buildings! Did anyone discuss green space? That tiny area is going to be jammed with apartments and cars, yet, there is nothing green around there to offset it. If we want a sustainable town, then we need to make sure there’s enough green space to support that town. Otherwise were building another New York City.