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By MICHAEL T.BURKHART
Courier-Post Staff
RIVERTON
Developer John D'Anastasio envisions a village along the light rail line where young professionals are lured to luxury apartments by the idea of taking the train to work in Philadelphia or New York City.
A $25 million development in the early planning stages envisions 188 apartments and 29 Victorian-style homes as well as retail space along Broad Street near the planned Trenton-Camden light rail station in Riverton, a borough of about 2,800 residents.
The development would replace an industrial site, dilapidated strip mall and used-car dealership between Fulton Street and Pompeston Creek. Conceptual plans were submitted to borough council in April; however, a presentation to the planning board is months away.
But not everyone is happy about the possible development, at least in its proposed form. Residents concerned about density, traffic and the relocation of businesses have formed a group to fight it.
"There's always someone who will object to a plan regardless of what it contains," said D'Anastasio, who is based in Pennsauken. "We believe (the development) will have a positive impact."
D'Anastasio is also developer of a multiuse complex on Maple Avenue in Pennsauken, slated to include a CVS pharmacy, a bank, retail stores, apartments and single- family homes. He said he is open to input from borough officials and residents.
It's likely to be some time before bulldozers roll along Broad Street, borough officials said. The site needs some environmental cleanup as well as permits to build along the creek.
"The permitting issues will drag on for years," said Roger T. Prichard, chairman of the planning board. "(The developer) is many steps before construction, the least of which is that he doesn't have control of half the land."
D'Anastasio has an option to purchase the National Casein property at Broad Street and the creek. The firm makes adhesive. He also has his sights set on the Nu-Way Shopping Center and a used car dealership, although agreements have not been reached with those property owners.
The borough created a redevelopment authority several years ago, the result of a 1998 master plan. Officials put out the word that they were interested in redeveloping about 15 acres along Broad Street, as well as smaller parcels at the commuter station.
No incentives were offered by the municipality, Prichard said. Any development must bring ratables to the small borough, which is 90 percent residential.
One developer, D'Anastasio, stepped forward and put put together conceptual plans, Prichard said. Borough officials said they are willing to look at proposals from other developers.
"I don't have a preconceived plan of what should or could go in there," said Councilman Robert Smyth. "My mind is open."
There are some fears in the community that the redevelopment, like the 34-mile light rail line, is being pushed by the state, Prichard said. Any project would be controlled locally.
"There are no sinister forces at work here," he said.
D'Anastasio has said he may ask officials to use the power of eminent domain to take the properties if an agreement cannot be reached, according to minutes from an April council meeting. But borough officials said they want the parties to work out a deal.
Questions remain, including density and the amount of services the development would consume, Prichard said. He added that the current conceptual plans must be refined.
"Before we settle on a plan we want to know what the market thinks will work," Prichard said. "We need a vision."
Early plans call for 188 apartments; 29 three-bedroom, single-family homes; and a CVS drugstore near the corner of Broad and Fulton streets. Fulton would end in a cul-de-sac and would not connect with Broad. The homes, many with first-floor master bedrooms, would cater to older people while the apartments would target professionals.
The light rail line, which is costing $800 million to build and maintain until 2010, should open in June 2003.
There are rumblings from residents.
Last week, about 40 residents met to organize opposition. Even though the press was invited to the meeting, one of the first orders of business was to take a vote to exclude the media.
Michael Heine, borough resident and attorney, said the group was in the early stages of formation and citizens might not speak their minds for fear of being quoted. After a short discussion, most of the residents raised their hands in the affirmative when asked if the press should leave.
After the rocky start, the meeting got down to business, said Nancy Washington, who opposes the project. The Main Street resident wants to see more than one proposal.
"It's one developer that came to council," Washington said.
The town has few streets, she said, ``and he wants to take out one of them."
A petition against the development is circulating. Residents plan to turn out in force at the planning board meeting Tuesday night, even though D'Anastasio's proposal has not been submitted. Board members will use the opportunity to get input from residents about development they would like to see along the rail line.
Nicole Barth, of the 400 block of Fulton Street, said she plans to attend to learn exactly what is happening with redevelopment. There are a lot of rumors and misinformation floating around, she noted.
"We need something to bring taxes into the town," she said. "I'm just not sure what I want."
John DeFulgentis, owner of Aspen Appliance Service who rents space in the Nu-Way center, also wants to know what's going on. If redevelopment is coming, he must find a place for his business.
"I would rather know now and get out of here rather than stay," DeFulgentis said. "It takes years to grow a retail business. I'd rather know one way or another."