Officials make the case for the transformation of an industrial site in to a neighborhood

Stanhope - Playing to a standing-room-only house, the Stanhope Borough Council met with the board of education on Jan. 24 to discuss the impact of a proposed housing development to be built on the site of a former factory. Attorney Richard Stein and Mayor Diana Kuncken summarized the proposed redevelopment and outlined the rationale for considering the zoning change. According to the officials, one critical factor is the recent rise in sewage cost. Stein explained that because Stanhope “is blessed with having a municipal sewer system that was built with excess capacity,” for the past few years, the borough has been selling the excess capacity to neighboring towns. As the use by these towns has declined, borough residents are now paying for unused sewage capacity. The site in question includes the property of the Compac Company, which lies empty after the company relocated operations outside Sussex County. According to Stanhope officials, at the time of the relocation, Compact said that there was little demand for industrial properties in this area of the state. Kuncken reiterated that Compac did not receive any takers when the property was put up for sale. “No one wants a factory. No one came forward to buy it,” she said. “There is no done deal; there are no established numbers; there is nothing that could not be negotiated. Don’t panic.” The borough was contacted by the developer, K. Hovnanian, who expressed interest in the Compac site and the adjoining properties. In response to residents’ concerns that the proposed development would bring more children into the local school system, Kuncken said that the development, which would be of 1- and 2-bedroom townhouses and condominiums would generally not encourage families with children. Instead, he said, it would attract “young professionals” because of its access to Route 80 and public transportation. Kuncken said that the proposed development would not include apartments. “We have the power to regulate what happens on that site,” Kuncken said. Stanhope Superintendent of Schools Nick Brown presented what he termed an “unscientific” impact study based on data from a report completed in 2002. He said that in the 3-1/2 years he has been with the school, the population has increased 21 students. “We are filled right now. If we were to increase, we would have to take back the Linden Avenue school,” said Brown. Brown calculated that 100 new students would require six additional classrooms and $240,000 in salaries a year, not including benefits. The superintendent said that the number of students could increase 33 to 34 per class. Kuncken said the high cost of living in Stanhope would force older residents to sell their properties to younger families which would result in a higher student population. “We have great concern that we are going to put a burden on our residents. We will see more ‘for sale’ signs because people will not be able to live here,” she said. When the suggestion of a totally age-restricted complex was made, Councilman Brian Murphy cautioned, “The school budget would never be passed again.” The issue of changing the zoning from industrial to residential now goes to the Stanhope Land Use Board, which will conduct a study before it makes its final recommendation to the governing body. The council agreed to create a committee comprised of representatives from school district, neighborhoods, police and fire departments and the first aid squad, to determine what is the best move for the borough.