The following letter from CLEAN's Director, Robin O'Hearn, ran in the March 17, 2004 edition of the Suburban Trends.

March 10, 2004

Dear Editor,
 
We are writing in response to Jonathan Dunleavy’s letter to the editor regarding his decision to rescind his recusal on matters pertaining to Spring Brook Acres Farm.
 
Mr. Dunleavy points to the change in status of Morse Lakes Dam as the reason for this sudden reversal. However, the idea to move the buildings out of the flood hazard area was discussed last July during talks between the builder and Skylands CLEAN, although
no formal agreement was reached. Mr. Dunleavy was aware of this potential change to the plan late last summer, so why rescind his recusal now?  The only conclusion we can come to is that he believed it was critical for him to provide the fourth vote to overrule Peter Gonzalez’s protest petition.
 
Mr. Dunleavy and others claim that the current zoning, which includes townhomes on the front of the property and single family homes on 3 acre lots in the back, would result in development over the entire lot, whereas 400 units (two and one-half times the current zoning) would be better for the environment. He points to the open space that will be preserved as proof of this. But even the developer admits that current zoning is unlikely to yield the 160 homes allowed under this zoning due to slopes and wetlands constraints, and it’s likely that the same areas of the lot (which are basically unbuildable) would end up as open space. 
 
The environmentalists, according to Mr. Dunleavy, have not offered solutions to the Borough’s affordable housing shortfall. CLEAN offered three potential ideas during talks with the OSG last year, all of which were summarily dismissed by the Borough. They refused to consider redevelopment within the town center, rejected the idea of non-profit groups building affordable housing, and didn’t look for group home credits. Instead they chose to leverage this shortfall into 400 units on the Horse Farm. Now the Council is dropping the “COAH” defense, and moved back to ratables as the main selling point. Mr. Dunleavy told residents that they could expect $3 million in tax relief from this development, apparently unaware that others on the Council have distanced themselves from that outlandish figure and now promise only “tax stabilization.”
 
Mr. Dunleavy calls those opposed to the project “environmental extremists” The Borough didn’t consider us extreme when we were working with the Bloomingdale Environmental Commission Chair John Capozucca and the Pequannock River Coalition to save Federal Hill. The Mayor and Council wrote resolutions and letters in support of the PA5 designation on Federal Hill and the land to its north, the Horse Farm. The Borough even had a website link to the Federal Hill information on CLEAN’s own web site. In less than two years, however, the Mayor and Council have done a complete “about face,” adopting a pro-development mentality. They purged the BEC of its Chair and its associate members, including CLEAN and PRC, since we refuse to go along with the Council’s brand of “smart growth.” As for Mr. Dunleavy’s attempts to marginalize us by saying we’re from “out of town,” we would point out that Mr. Boswell and Kushner Companies, who stand to make the most from this rezoning, are not Bloomingdale residents either.
 
Mr. Dunleavy also claims that a “majority of the town” is in favor of the rezoning. However, the only “majority” in favor seems to be that of the Borough Council. During the hearing on February 24^th, 10 of 13 speakers testified against the expansion of the Town Center to allow this rezoning. And one of those speaking in favor of the project was the developer, Mr. Boswell, who will rake in millions. At several other hearings, many spoke against this rezoning, despite being bullied or challenged for their views.
 
Mr. Dunleavy should reconsider his decision to throw his recusal and his integrity out the window by casting the deciding vote on this project. The timing of his decision is highly suspect, no matter what reasons he offers in his defense.