Caution- this post will bring up some very serious issues that may offend people- but it is the truth and it must be said!
In the previous post a question was posed to me which asked if I would like the condos built in my neighborhood.
So here goes- When looking for a house with my spouse years ago, we were definitely attracted to the lower prices of some homes on busier streets. We decided however, that we did not want to live on a busy road. Why? We knew cars would be shooting down the street at all hours and speeds. We also looked at house off of Queen Anne Road, but I didn't want commuter parking on my block. I looked at a house next to a public school, but then realized that the empty lot was going to be used by the school for parking, recess and ball or possibly expansion.
I then moved to a slightly less desirable area, but was able to get a beautiful house. There were some warnings from friends as to what the downsides were to that area, but i knew about it going in and liked the price.
What i don't understand about numerous complainers in Teaneck is when they get a good deal on a home, say next to the Stop and Shop parking lot, or next to a closed soap factory, and then when the owner wants to utilize the property, whether it be building up or out, the homeowner goes crying how 1- his neighborhood fabric is being ruined, 2- how he moved to Teaneck for its beauty and its being destroyed 3- you get the point.
The American Legion (Stop & Shop) issue is really on point- for gods sake you bought a house next to a vacant industrial building adjoining a parking lot. In regards to the Teaneck Road condo- you bought your home 3 houses off of Teaneck Road next to a restaurant.
What did you expect???
(Told you it will be truthful, possibly offensive but most importantly a serious situation that must be discussed)
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23 comments:
why didn't you want commuter parking on your block?
I came from NYC, so I never expected that parking on the street would be exclusively for me. I have a driveway.
I also live next to a park - parking will never be private on my street.
Yeah - street cleaning and snow removal can be an issue - but alternate side parking (and enforcement) can take care of that. I might bring that up in the mayor's survey.
In addition, I take the bus to NYC every day, and some of those commuters sit next to me on the bus. I've asked them (nicely) to be more aware of street cleaning issues, proximity to driveways, etc. and they have complied (willingly)
Hmmmmm, Anon,
I wouldn't want commuter parking on my street either. Here's why: if you have friends, people for a meeting, business or otherwise coming over, they have no parking in front of your home and many times they have to walk from a couple of blocks away. If we want this situation we might as well have stayed in the city.
If you have a repair or service person coming to your house they too cannot park in front. One of my neighbors has a service person leave because a commuter was parked too close to her driveway for them to get their large truck in. This neighborhood took off a day of work for this service person. Many times PSE&G will come and if there is no parking they will leave. They will ask around for people to move cars but if the owner is not there, they just leave.
When my car was in the shop last winter I took the bus into the city and walked from my home (1/2 mile from the bus). There was a lot of snow on the ground and parking was difficult. On my way home 2 men were arguing on the street. It seems one man (a commuter) parked so that end part of his car was in this man's driveway. The man (a senior citizen no less) couldn't get out of his driveway all day.
To say that you have asked commuters to comply with street cleaning regulations and proximity to driveways and they agreed is one thing. Have they really done it or just said they did?
cedar lane chick -
They have complied
People are creatures of habit and the same group parks there every day, and I see then every day. It would be a bit awkward for them if they didn't do as I asked.
I have not experienced the degree of unpleasantness you have - my friends and family visit me on the weekends when I'm home (and so are the commuters)
I haven't had any issue with service trucks.
Again - living next to a public park, my exoectations for clear streets are pretty low.
Now if only I can get the park goers to refrain from resting on my retaining wall......
"On my way home 2 men were arguing on the street. It seems one man (a commuter) parked so that end part of his car was in this man's driveway. The man (a senior citizen no less) couldn't get out of his driveway all day."
Why didn't he call the police and have the car towed, as would of been his right?
"To say that you have asked commuters to comply with street cleaning regulations and proximity to driveways and they agreed is one thing. Have they really done it or just said they did? "
If the residents of this town can not comply with street cleaning/street plowing/leaf pick up rules why should the commuters??
Being new in town, I was not sure where Shepherd's drive was so this morning I looked on a map and decided to slowly drive down the street and around the neighborhood to educate myself. From what the residents of this street were saying at the town council meeting, I expected open lots with refuse dumped there, unkept homes and just an undesirable neighborhood. Imagine my surprise to find a lovely neighborhood with well kept homes that looked like a lot of other neighborhoods in Teaneck. The only "eyesore" was the closed Sticky's on the corner of Teaneck Road.
The parking lot of the closed Sticky's is large and just because the building used to be a resturant does not mean that it must remain one according to the zoning. Any national or local retailer may find this just the right place to set up shop. The parking issue is crutial for success in any area in Bergen County in the 21st Century. NOT just for McDonald's - besides, don't they have a drive-thru?
Council People? Are you listening? No, it would may not be a good place for Starbucks, but it is time to start courting other national chains to this great location. How about a Gymboree? Other children's party places? I don't think that 6 year olds will be coming in from other communities to hang out late at night. I put myself in the place of the residents and if there was a family resturant, a small retailer or something like that, I'd be fine with that.
I also revisited the issue of a DMV on the corner of Tryon. Please! Unless they take over some of the homes for eminant domain, there is definitely not enough parking (Department of MOTOR vehicles - get it? you have to drive there-you need a lot of parking). I think all that talk was just talk. And, what else is in that strip mall? A laundrymat, a recording company and a Christian book store. I would have no problem living down the street from any of those, unless the launddrymat was unkempt by the owners and undesirables of ANY race or religion hung out there at all hours.
the DMV in Englewood did not have a massive parking lot but it did just fine with on street parking, that would work in Teaneck also.
I mean who really wants to trudge to Lodi to visit the DMV, not I
anon 1:29 - It is only 5 more minutes to Lodi and they don't have all the services in Englewood that they have in Lodi. Unfortunately I've "trudged" there many times - and timed the trips.
I have been there many times also. I dont need all the services that Lodi offers just the D.L. renewal as I drive to Paramus for inspecations.
So for one service I have to spend all day at Lodi, why?
Also if you travel to Lodi during any of the rush-hours the drive is more than 5 minutes ;)
I for one am all for the DMV moving to Teaneck!
You do know that most services that Lodi offers other places offer with less of a wait time than Lodi, right?
That is what was nice about Englewood.
and Englewood was as unsavory a place as opponents to a Teaneck DMV would have you believe.
If you can't open a DMV, can't open a new fast food place and can't build condos - what CAN you build?
"If you can't open a DMV, can't open a new fast food place and can't build condos - what CAN you build?"
NADA!
Anon 4:20 pm
Check out what Lola said about what you can build
I did read what lola wrote. But I want the DMV!
Maybe the DMV could move into the old BBQ place?
Karin - I thought you were going on vacation. While you're away, a gang of lesbians is going to salt a gay pride slogan onto your front lawn.
Anon 5:43
What is the obsession with a DMV? How many times a year do you have to go to one? Do you sell used cars and need to pick up plates on a regular basis?
I agree with Lola, we should attract some national retailers and find some that have a history of giving back to the neighborhood. One or two floors of condos on top of the stores would also be nice. Perhaps the developer would have to include parking in the structure so the residents have a place to park.
The burden to attract these retailers does not fall solely on the Council. Most national retailers have websites that allow you to submit requests of a local store. Spend some time and make some requests.
Will adding a couple of stores and condos resolve all our tax issues? Of course not, but every bit counts!
"What is the obsession with a DMV? How many times a year do you have to go to one? Do you sell used cars and need to pick up plates on a regular basis?"
Not at all. I visit them once every 4 years. But just think of the business that this "could" bring to the area, if other stores/chains came to the area also.
"I agree with Lola, we should attract some national retailers and find some that have a history of giving back to the neighborhood. One or two floors of condos on top of the stores would also be nice. Perhaps the developer would have to include parking in the structure so the residents have a place to park."
Sounds like a great idea. But is it going to get any further than an idea? Are teh residents of the town, area willing to admit that something has to be done so the residents can stop footing the large tax bill each year?
"The burden to attract these retailers does not fall solely on the Council. Most national retailers have websites that allow you to submit requests of a local store. Spend some time and make some requests."
True. Perhaps if we had some idea of what people would be willing to see go in to these areas we would have a better idea of who to send email requests to.
"Will adding a couple of stores and condos resolve all our tax issues? Of course not, but every bit counts!"
I could not agree more!
Less Taxes Please -
Thanks! I didn't know that you can solicit Natl. retailers to open a store. Let's get cracking Teaneck! Not just for Teaneck North, but for the whole town!
Anon 01:02 pm -
A DMV is NOT going to attract other retailers, except perhaps gas stations or auto body places. If you listened to the neighborhood residents at the City Council meeting they don't want gas stations. A DMV also attracts a lot of traffic EARLY in the mornings (kids getting their first license or permit before school, people coming before work, etc.) its a lot of traffic where people don't stick around to patronize retailers, plus if it is a populated it will attract "undesirables" to just hang around after its closed for the day. Forget the DMV, its an uneducated ideal with regard to commerce in the town. Only someone who has no experience with any successful retail or sales businesses would suggest it.
Attract undesirables? Sounds like Cedar Lane after hours.
Condo an American Legion Drive would be the best location.
The undesirables are already here- One goes by the name MONICA
Does anyone know if the council members who will be up for re-election are planning on running again?
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