Full Notification

Redevelopment:
 
We must approach redevelopment carefully to preserve the Leonia we know and love. Our focus remains on the Fort Lee Road corridor below Grand Avenue and the entire stretch of Willow Tree Road. This area, especially if light rail is introduced, is well-positioned for revitalization. Such renewal would generate new revenue for the Borough and create a healthier balance between commercial/retail and residential properties, easing the tax burden now mainly carried by Leonia households.
 
Many of the buildings in this part of town look dated and worn. As you enter Leonia from Teaneck, passing Kulite and Station Parkway, the view isn’t the most welcoming; it fails to make the strong first impression our community deserves.
 
Whether or not light rail funding and construction move forward soon, your neighbors serving on the Planning Board, the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Redevelopment, and the governing body, with input from the public, have adopted a redevelopment plan and related zoning changes to help achieve our community vision. I encourage you to review the plan if you haven’t already (available HERE). The zoning updates permit height adjustments of up to four stories on Fort Lee Road and up to six stories along Willow Tree Road.

The Developer Relations Subcommittee continues to meet with property owners and developers to discuss the parcels they already own in town and to ensure that any future proposals reflect our community values. The Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Revitalization and Redevelopment has set out clear principles: to Restore, Enhance, Preserve, and Protect Leonia’s character, values, traditions, and small-town quality of life. These principles guide every step we take. If we succeed, Leonia will remain a green oasis amid urban sprawl, and you can expect to see meaningful gains in your property values.

We will continue to keep you updated as discussions with the developers progress. Our goal is to encourage neighboring property owners to work together, creating larger-scale opportunities that benefit the entire community.
 
Station Parkway Development Court Case:

You may recall the ongoing legal case involving 256–266 Grand Avenue. These two parcels, on the west side of Grand between Station Parkway and Maple Street (currently behind a chain-link fence), were once single-family homes. A developer now proposes a much higher-density project — multiple dwelling units — far beyond what our zoning regulations permit.

The Borough does not object to including this site in our affordable housing plan; in fact, we have already incorporated it in a way that is both practical and economically sound. What we oppose is the scale of the developer’s proposal; it conflicts with the character of the Spring Street neighborhood, would increase congestion and traffic, runs counter to sound planning principles, and sets a dangerous precedent for future development.

While I had hoped for a pre-trial settlement that safeguarded Leonia’s interests, the court-appointed expert (the Adjudicator) is still attempting to broker an agreement. Unless there is meaningful movement, however, the developer leaves us no choice but to “go to the mattresses,” as the Godfather line puts it. In other words, Leonia is prepared to vigorously defend in court our zoning, our residential density standards, and the character of our community — all of which directly impact your property values.

Because this remains an active case, I cannot share further details at this time. I will keep you informed, particularly as soon as the Court issues substantive rulings.

Department of Homeland Security Sanctuary City List:
 
Leonia has now been officially removed from the Department of Homeland Security’s Sanctuary City list. This followed my meeting with Congressman Josh Gottheimer, who then personally raised the issue with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Our policies have always complied with federal cooperation standards, and it is reassuring to see that this has been formally recognized. I’m grateful to the Congressman for his advocacy on our behalf. Most importantly, Leonia remains a welcoming community. You can review my earlier comments on this matter in the June update HERE.
 
Reassessment about to begin–Every Leonia property will be inspected:

Every ten years, the Bergen County Board of Taxation and the New Jersey Division of Taxation require the Borough of Leonia to revalue or reassess all taxable real estate to ensure fair and uniform assessments. In practice, this means refreshing property values to reflect improvements made over the past decade and changes in market conditions. A higher reassessment does not automatically mean higher taxes. The Borough’s overall budget remains the same; what may change is the balance between total property values and the tax rate, which together determine each household’s share of the tax burden.

As noted in my August update (HERE), next year’s budget process is already underway. The new tax rate will be set using the updated valuations to fund essential borough services.

To reduce costs, the Mayor and Council chose a rolling reassessment rather than a one-time revaluation. This approach will take several years to complete across the entire town, but saves significant money. While the project will still cost about $300,000, this figure is more than 20% lower than what neighboring towns have paid. Thanks to strong negotiating, we secured the best deal possible.

Appraisal Systems, Inc. has been engaged to conduct the reassessment. Inspectors will begin visiting properties in the coming weeks to measure and photograph exteriors, as well as inspect interiors. Please note that an interior inspection is required to produce an accurate valuation; you will need to make arrangements to allow access to your home.

Inspectors may arrive without notice for their first visit. If you are not home, they will leave a card with a proposed return date and time. If that time does not work, you can call to reschedule.

All new property values for 2026 will be based on estimated market value as of October 1, 2025, as required by law. Property owners will be notified by mail of their proposed assessed values and will have the opportunity to question or appeal them.

More information will be shared soon. For now, please be aware that inspectors will begin as early as two weeks from today. All representatives from Appraisal Systems will carry photo identification and will be registered with the Leonia Police Department. Do not admit anyone without proper ID.

Quick Guide: What You Need to Know

• Why it’s happening:
  Reassessment required every 10 years by law.
   
• Impact on your taxes:
  Higher reassessment ≠ automatic tax hike. Taxes depend on the Borough’s budget, total values, and tax rate.
   
• Cost savings:
  Rolling reassessment saves Leonia 20%+, costing about $300,000.
   
• What to expect:
  • Inspectors from Appraisal Systems, Inc. will visit properties in the coming weeks.
  • They must inspect both exteriors and interiors.
  • First visit may be unannounced; if you’re not home, they’ll leave a reschedule card.
     
• Timeline:
  • New property values set as of October 1, 2025.
  • Notices mailed in 2026 with the option to question or appeal.
     
• Safety reminder:
  Only allow entry to inspectors with official photo ID. All inspectors are registered with the Leonia Police Department.
   

401 Grand Avenue:
 
For those of you who, like me, have been wondering why the five townhouses on Grand Avenue — across from the site of the Valentine’s Day fire — have taken so long to finish, the answer is finally clear.
 
The delay stemmed from the State of New Jersey’s slow approval process for permits needed to install water and sewer lines under Grand Avenue (State Highway Route 93). The owner waited an astonishing eighteen months before receiving the necessary approvals. Only then could work on the lines begin.
 
Eighteen months is, in my view, far too long for anyone to wait. While government must protect public safety and welfare, it should not, through inaction, impose such heavy costs on property owners who are stuck paying expenses while projects sit idle. This case is a clear indictment of the state’s current process.
 
The good news: with permits now in hand and the utility work underway, I’m told construction should move forward much more quickly from here.
 
Bergen County Fire Service Initiative:

In a recent one-on-one with County Executive Jim Tedesco, I raised the vital role our Leonia volunteer fire department plays in protecting lives and property, as well as the significant cost of maintaining equipment like aerial trucks. As a volunteer firefighter and former Fire Chief in Paramus, the County Executive understands these challenges firsthand.

He also recognizes the value of a regional approach to emergency services, demonstrated by his successful launch of the County ambulance service. He recently shared a letter with all Bergen County Fire Chiefs — including our own Chief John (Barney) Dunn — which you can read HERE.

I believe supplementing our local resources with County support is the right path forward. That said, I do not expect this initiative to provide immediate relief for the LFD’s request for a new aerial truck. Our ongoing discussions with Englewood, described in my recent update (HERE), remain a potential near-term solution.

Leonia is fortunate to have an exceptional volunteer fire department — something not every Bergen County town can claim. This County-led initiative is an important first step toward assessing fire service needs across all 70 municipalities and ensuring resources are deployed where they are needed most.

Traffic:

A word to the wise: with September here, we can expect (as always this time of year) heavier traffic, especially on Fort Lee Road. With people back to work and school, the roads are busier, and Leonia will feel the impact. Living so close to New York City has many advantages, but it also means our quiet, tree-lined streets can be hit with severe congestion whenever the George Washington Bridge backs up. That’s simply part of the trade-off for our location.

If you see a major intersection gridlocked (particularly Fort Lee Road at Broad, Glenwood, or Grand) please call the police non-emergency line at 201-944-0800 to report it and request an officer to maintain order. If a Leonia officer is unavailable, the County has consistently stepped in to assist, and we are grateful for their support.

Promise Church and the Planning Board Process:

I’ve received many questions about the Planning Board’s ongoing review of the Promise Church application. You can read my earlier comments on this matter HERE. As both your Mayor and a member of the Planning Board, I must reiterate that I am legally required to remain neutral while the process is underway — I cannot make statements for or against the application.

That said, most of your questions have centered on how the Planning Board process works and how residents can share their views in a way that becomes part of the official record.

The process itself is set by state law and functions as a quasi-judicial proceeding. For those who prefer to see the big picture first (as I do), it can feel counterintuitive. Instead, this framework requires us to build our understanding from the ground up, through detailed testimony and evidence. While this can sometimes feel slow or frustrating, the process is designed to be thorough, and it is essential that we follow it.
For applications like the one currently before us, the process begins with formal testimony, which may include:

• Legal testimony from the applicant’s attorney
• Testimony from engineers (e.g., drainage or site plans)
• Testimony from traffic experts
• Testimony from the applicant and operations leadership
• Additional testimony as needed

After each expert presents, Planning Board members may ask questions. Once the Board is finished, members of the public may also ask questions — but only about the testimony just given. General comments and opinions come later.

When all testimony and questions are complete, the Board engages in general discussion. At that stage, the public is invited to offer broader comments on the application as a whole.

If you cannot attend a meeting in person but would like your input included in the official record, you may send written comments to:
            Planning Board Chair Mike DeGidio
            312 Broad Avenue, Leonia, NJ 07605
            or email [email protected]

Please note: there is no virtual participation option. Comments must be delivered either in person or in writing.

Whether or not we like this framework — and I’ll be honest, it’s not my favorite — it is what New Jersey law requires, and we are obligated to follow it.

The August 27th meeting was well attended, beginning promptly at 7:30 PM and concluding at 11:00 PM with testimony from the applicant’s engineer, who addressed stormwater management, among other topics.

The next hearing for the Promise Church application will take place on Wednesday, September 17th at 7:30 PM in the Municipal Center, 2nd Floor.

Sidewalk Maintenance:

Several residents have asked whether it’s possible to get a “break” on sidewalk maintenance responsibilities. I received the same violation notice as many of you (see HERE). Everyone, including myself as Mayor and all members of the governing body, is subject to the same rules — no one is exempt.

That said, the Borough of Leonia will be reasonable in considering extensions. If you need additional time, please call the number listed on your notice or email [email protected].  For example, one of my neighbors requested an extension because he was going to be away for a month and couldn’t meet the deadline. His request was granted, and he was appreciative. If you believe you have a valid reason, reach out and explain your situation.

These efforts will greatly improve Leonia sidewalks. By playing by the same rules, we not only ensure fairness but also enhance property values and strengthen the pride we all share in our community.

Closing Comment:

On my recent vacation, I was reminded that the people of Cologne, Germany have a wonderful sense of humor. In the city’s central square, just steps from one of the world’s most stunning cathedrals, I noticed a curious detail on the old municipal building: a large face (see photo HERE) of a 19th-century mayor who, each time the clock struck the hour, would stick out his tongue at the crowd below.

As the story goes, this mayor had fallen out of favor with the townspeople. To make his point, he had his likeness mounted on the building so he could “greet” residents every hour in his own way. Not to be outdone, the townspeople responded with a sculpture of their own on a nearby townhouse, facing him directly (pictured HERE), making their feelings just as clear. More than two centuries later, both figures remain as a testament to the Mayor/Constituent relations of the time.
Please rest assured, I feel nothing but gratitude and affection for all Leonians!

As we head into the fall season, I look forward to working together on the important projects ahead and to continuing the strong sense of community that makes Leonia such a special place to call home.
Hope everyone had a great summer,
 

Bill Ziegler
Leonia Mayor