AN NFL owner is spearheading a move to build a new apartment complex nestled within the mountains – but it has proved controversial.
The property plans first surfaced around two decades ago but they were put on the backburner.
Concerns are mounting among locals now they have resurfaced, as reported by the outlet New Jersey Advance Media.
Zygmunt Wilf, a co-owner of the Minnesota Vikings, is involved in a property group’s project to develop 500 new homes in a forest within the Watchung Mountains in New Jersey.
The mountains are known for their attractive viewing points overlooking New York City.
A quarter of the 120-acre forest would have to be cleared for the properties.
Wilf’s group, Garden Homes, first put forward the idea to build homes in 2006, but officials rejected the plans due to safety fears.
At the time, he suggested building 136 affordable homes.
Officials struck an agreement in 2020, but locals are still bewildered about the plans to build the new homes.
Rachel Klein, who has lived near to the mountain for a decade, said the plans make “no sense.”
One resident spoke out with skepticism towards the proposal, questioning the safety implications. “We said no: If it was unsafe for 136 homes that would have been worth $1 million at the time, why is suddenly throwing poor people into it making it safe?” she told Realtor.
Klein admitted she doesn’t understand the motive behind the plans.
“Nothing’s ever been built on this land,” she said.
When the plans were rejected, safety concerns were raised.
Paul Tractenberg, a long-time resident in the area dating back to 1998, raised concerns about emergency services potentially facing challenges accessing the homes in the forest, as reported by Gothamist.
“In the event of a fire or flood or any kind of natural calamity, [it] might well trap the residents, might prevent emergency vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances from getting in,” he said.
We said no.
Rachel Klein
Even though the plan to build the homes has been approved, officials still fear the potential impacts.
Joe Krakoviak, the president of the West Orange township, alluded to potential environmental concerns.
Environmental groups have noted concerns about potential damages to wetlands, for example.
There are fears that residents who move into the property once built may not have the necessary access to local services.
“There is a need for affordable housing, but this is just not the appropriate place for it,” Klein said.
New Jersey officials are aiming to build 84,000 new homes by 2035.
Wilf, who is also chair of Orlando City, bought the Minnesota Vikings for around $600 million in 2005.
A spokesperson for Garden Homes has not commented.
