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Sylvester's Property Plans, Billboard Talks Resume

Hasbrouck Heights Zoning Board meeting Thursday will include discussion of plans to subdivide the old Sylvester's Restaurant property, and a media company tries for the third time to get approval for a billboard on Route 17.

 

A possible new future for the old Sylvester's Restaurant property will be heard by the Hasbrouck Heights Zoning Board this Thursday as an applicant returns with plans to subdivide the property in order to construct four two-family homes.

Also the Zoning Board will once again hear from Dougan Outdoor Media which returns with revised plans to construct a billboard on Route 17 North.

The Terrace Avenue property known as the former Sylvester's property has been vacant for a number of years. The former building, which shows significant deterioration, remains on the site. In recent years it's been deeemed as an area in need of improvement by borough officials and the Planning Board.

The applicant, Richard Banca and Ralph Manefredonia, submitted an application to the Planning Board last summer but had to withdraw as it was deemed that Zoning Board approval would be needed instead.

Dougan Outdoor Media was advised back in October it would have to revise its plans once again if it wished to further pursue the construction of a billboard on Route 17.

The media company had tried to have its application heard again in the fall after having been denied its plans over the summer, but Zoning Board members felt the changes were not significant enough advising new plans would be required before a new hearing could begin.

Both applications are expected to be heard Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers.

See related stories:

Plans for Sylvester's Would Need Zoning Board Approval

Billboard Application Would Need Further Changes

Related Topics: Billboard Route 17 North, Dougan Outdoor Media, Hasbrouck Heights zoning board, and Sylvester's property

Chris Peters

8:46 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Sylvester's is the site of the oldest home in Hasbrouck Hts, which is why it was called The Old Homestead for years before it became Sylvester's. It is a shame that HH has no historical society to protect it's colonial homes. We can not replace history when it gone, its gone forever.

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Corona

3:55 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013

This site is in part comprised of a building dating back to as early as 1682 with the larger north end around mid 19th century. It is not declared a "historic site" but was sited in the BC Stone House survey of 1979 (in HH Library) as having historical significance. The property may also have a slave burial site on it. A portion of an article about this was sited in the Jan. 2008 issue of the Gazette. TONIGHT the zoning board memorializes their approval decision for development. HISTORY LOST FOREVER - care of your Mayor, Council and Zoning Board.

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Maryann Pisani

11:14 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013

This excerpt is from the "Gazette" 2008.
The James Housman Homestead (aka The Old Homestead Hotel) housed "first school" constructed in 1790. There should be an old slave burial ground not far from the property facing front. The source: Charles F Gokey's "On the Heights" page 12. Mr Gokey was on the board of Trustees at Methodist Episcopal Church in 1907.
There has to be a way for us to contact The NJ Historical Restoration board. Point of fact, we are the only country who destroys historical landmarks that are deemed insignificant. Europe has us beat in that respect.
Thanks
Maryann

Allie

9:19 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013

I thought this was declared a historical site a few years back am I wrong?

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HH girl

9:19 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Like we need more two family homes! How about someone build something good for the kids of our town. Our schools are too crowded as it is! We do not need more multi family homes being squished into our town! Get real! These builders are trying to turn our town into Jersey City! Keep adding two homes where one used to be, soon we will be worse than Hudson County!

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theMonch

11:55 am on Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Maybe the town should aquire it and make a park and ride for bus commuters. That will in turn get people from parking all day on boulevard and terrace and surrounding blocks. Then this will help alleviate some of the parking problems that have arose from too many high turnover businesses on the boulevard needing more parking. Oh wait, thats right, there is no money in that for the town. Silly me.

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Allie

6:02 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013

There would be money if the town charged.

Kat

4:58 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013

just keep on building and building where are we going to put all these kids for school.....?? This town is a sell-out

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Liz Fass

8:26 am on Friday, January 25, 2013

So sad. I loved it when it was the Old Homestead. Such a shame that it was allowed to be changed. I think Allie once the structure was changed from the original, it was no longer considered historical. Considering Sylvester's wasn't open that long too.

I agree that they should deny anymore housing there. Four 2 family homes is absolutely ridiculous. Our schools are over taxed as it is! So badly that they had to close the preK 4 program. Where else would they like to put the kids? Nobody is thinking of them at all.

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Allie

9:14 am on Friday, January 25, 2013

Everyone has an opinion but no one goes to the meetings.

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Chris Peters

2:18 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013

the preK program was paid my parents, not taxes, I am pretty sure.

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