Saddle River dismisses Rosie O’Donnell project – upsetting the developer

The Saddle River Planning Board surprised everyone and dismissed the application to build 52 townhouses and 8 affordable homes on the Rosie O’Donnell property.

The board’s vote on the so-called O’Donnell project for East Allendale Road (which was the property previously owned by Rosie O-Donnell but sold to a developer leveraging the Fair Share Housing Act) was precipitated by developer Michael Kasparian – owner of Saddle River Investors LLC –  when he insisted on a vote on his application after he could not reach an agreement with the board over the height of a retaining wall, one of the 9 variance and waiver points being debated for that project.  The developer contends only three waivers are required.

Under a 2020 settlement agreement, the borough would be in default if it failed to approve the 60-unit project with just eight affordable units – the project application that was being reviewed and submitted by Saddle River Investors LLC, and Michael Kasparian. He was granted ‘intervener’ status by the court and allowed to bring his project to fulfill some of the 244 units housing obligations stated by the state regulators and the Fair Share Housing Center. His project was only fulfilling 8 of the 244 units required, the developer would sell the rest of the units at market value.

Democratic Judge Gregg Padovano could then refuse to extend the borough’s immunity to other affordable housing proposals, potentially exposing it to more development than the 244 units cited (See what is happening with Englewood Cliffs NJ once they lost their immunity).

Jonathan Drill, the borough’s affordable housing attorney, and Fair Share Housing Center had no comment Thursday. Michael Kasparian said Thursday, “We will file a lawsuit to enforce our rights.”