A decision on the fate of the historic Van Dien-Ruffgarten House, will be delayed while the developer seeks to find a nonprofit to take it over.
According to northjersey.com, “two weeks ago, an application to subdivide the West Midland Avenue property into three lots, which would designate one lot for the preservation of the historic home, was heard by the Planning Board. The developer, 113-117 West Midland Avenue LLC, stated a desire to spare the historic home from the wrecking ball. During that meeting, the applicant had plans to offer the historic home to the borough or to a nonprofit. If there is no interest, the owner plans to maintain the house. In the middle of voting, however, the applicant’s attorney requested that the board instead carry the application to the December meeting to give the applicant time to find a nonprofit willing to take on the home. The board agreed.”
The Planning Board review back on the application on Dec. 2.
Tim Adriance, a historian from Bergenfield said, the idea of keeping the historic home on its own independent, non-buildable lot so that it can be restored on the site in its context rather than “disappearing.”
Bergen FYI 