Hundreds of Nutley residents attended Wednesday’s Planning Board meeting to hear representatives from Prism/ON3, the developers of the former Hoffman La-Roche site, request a delay on their proposal for a planned truck depot. This depot would be situated across from the ON3 main campus (275 Kingsland St.) near Cathedral Avenue. The Planning Board agreed to the adjournment, originally on the agenda, until June 18th. 

“We're here today requesting a two week adjournment to June 18th,” said Adam J. Faiella, attorney for Sills Cummis & Gross. “We have been working diligently with the Township to try to settle global issues between our client and the Township. And one of those would be the enactment of a redevelopment plan that would have a different use at the site rather than the proposed use. We're hopeful that we may even be able to settle this before the 18th.”

Mayor John V. Kelly, III, a member of the Planning Board, provided insights into the ongoing processes. “To clarify, the Board of Commissioners and the applicant have been negotiating for nearly a decade to establish a shared vision for the property. Due to ongoing negotiations, there are many details we cannot disclose at this moment, as it could jeopardize the interests of both the Township and the applicant. We are optimistic about reaching a resolution that would better serve the town and community, addressing many of the concerns that have brought you here tonight. We're hopeful that we will have that resolution to move forward at the next Board of Commissioners meeting on June 17th.”

Numerous residents voiced their worries at the meeting regarding the safety, traffic, noise, and environmental risks associated with such a development.

Planning Board member and former Mayor Commissioner Joseph P. Scarpelli remarked, “We truly appreciate this turnout and your concerns for our community. Rest assured, the Board of Commissioners shares your worries. We just ask for your patience, diligence, and optimism.”

Commissioner Scarpelli also reassured residents about their role in any future agreements. “The redevelopment plan will return to the Board of Commissioners in a public meeting,” he explained. “It will also be reviewed by the Planning Board for consistency with the master plan, followed by site plan approval, just as we are doing tonight. So there will be multiple opportunities for the public to express their concerns.”

The Planning Board meeting took place the night after the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a resolution to move forward authorizing agreements with Prism/ON3. 

Attorney Josh Zielinski from the law firm O'Toole Scrivo, serving as special counsel for the Township, noted that negotiations between Prism and the Township have been ongoing for an extended period. "The agreement presented to the Commissioners aims to resolve all litigation between Prism and the Township. Importantly, it eliminates certain high-intensity uses in Nutley that have faced opposition, allows for the development of the former Hoffman La-Roche campus with a new anchor tenant, and includes provisions for affordable housing. This agreement closely resembles one that was nearly finalized about a year ago, but extensive negotiations since then have led to this version, which offers concrete benefits to the municipality."