Planning Board and Township Committeeman J. Fiorenzo said that there were once "99 condo's" planned for the ravine tract, which was zoned for affordable housing. The truth requires a much longer sound bite. Only one of the four lots in the proposed subdivision, the lot previously owned by the Mason family, was zoned for affordable housing. It was considered to be part of the adjoining Barrister development, which was also zoned for affordable housing. That is why Red Rock Road does not end in a cul-de-sac. When Barrister Farms was approved about 13 years ago, the Mason property was re-zoned for market-rate housing. That made sense, as it would have been remarkably bad planning to have high-density housing so close to the ravine. Also, keep in mind that the more market-rate housing built, the greater Wyckoff's obligation to provide still more affordable housing.

Local papers have quoted a planning board official saying it would be "illegal" for the Township Committee or the Bergen County Freeholders to intercede on behalf of preserving the ravine. That is simply not correct. In fact, the State Supreme Court has ruled that a town can intervene in a proposed project to preserve open space. It is certainly true the Wyckoff Planning Board is an autonomous body, but keep in mind that the Township Committee appoints the Planning Board and clearly sets the general policy on the granting of variances in town.

This Barrister subdivision application is the third attempt to develop the ravine. The community outcry against the destruction of the 13-acre ravine tract and an attorney engaged by the Save the Ravine Alliance were instrumental in the withdrawal of the first two applications. We urge the Wyckoff Planning Board not to grant the variances required for this subdivision. Barrister purchased 11 of the 13 acres years after Wyckoff established its steep slope ordinance-there is no hardship here.