Land Dispute Holds Up Police HQ; Survey Unclear on Site’s Open Space Status

TENAFLY A plan to build a new police headquarters has been delayed while borough officials clarify whether the land on which it would be constructed can be developed.

At issue is whether a slice of land along Riveredge Road west of the municipal center was intended to be developed or to remain open space.

In 1994, as part of a Green Acres funding application to expand Davis Johnson Park & Gardens, the borough had to submit a Recreation and Open Space Inventory of all borough-owned lots held for conservational or recreational purposes.

While a 13.9-acre parcel that included the plot was listed, it did not accurately describe which portions were designated for conservation or recreation, Borough Attorney William McClure said. The property includes the municipal center along with athletic fields, basketball courts and a playground, among other things.

The Borough Council will consider changing the inventory Tuesday. The changes could include declaring whether or not the piece of land where a 15,000-square-foot police headquarters is planned was intended to be developed, Borough Administrator Joseph DiGiacomo said.

If no amendment is submitted, the land would remain untouched. If council members support making a change, the state Department of Environmental Protection will review it, said Karen Hershey, a DEP spokeswoman.

"The ball is in Tenafly’s court right now to make a determination as to how they wish to proceed and if they do wish to amend the ROSI," she said.

The Tenafly Environmental Commission is urging borough officials to keep the land as open space. The commission contends the intent was never to develop there.

"We know that once open space is lost, it is lost forever," Chairwoman Sandra Divack Moss wrote in May to the borough. "This area is a beautiful scenic vista. It has been and is presently a wonderful buffer for the residents of Foster Road. It enhances the feeling of open space for the residents of all of … Tenafly."

An organization called Save Tenafly’s Open Places (STOP) also initiated a petition drive with 455 signers who want the land designated as open space.

"I think it’s a beautiful piece of land right in the center of town," said John Nolan, organization co-chairman. "For those of us who have lived in town for a long time, we all assumed that was open land. We have very little open land left in terms of recreation."

Borough officials have extended the deadline to award a contract on the $5.5 million headquarters’ construction until Aug. 1 because of the land issue, McClure said.

"We would not award the contract unless we had clarification on the ROSI," he said.

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Fast facts

* For more information about Save Tenafly’s Open Places (STOP), visit tflystop.com.

* The Borough Council meeting is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Tuesday.

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E-mail: sudol@northjersey.com

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