Land Swap Could Protect Historic Fair Lawn House

A land swap between Fair Lawn and a developer could ensure the protection of the historic Vanderbeck House, but local history buffs said the developer's plans would ruin a unique historic landscape.

The Wyckoff-based Barrister Builders has been in talks with borough officials about building an assisted living home at the site on the corner of Century and Dunkerhook Roads, lying between two 18th century buildings, the Vanderbeck and Naugle Houses.

The properties are unusual in that they contain two houses from the same era in a landscape which is still similar to how it was when they were built, according to H. Gelfand, a Fair Lawn native and history professor at James Madison University.

"You have a very unique situation," Gelfand said.

The Naugle House is owned by the borough and protected, though it is in deteriorating condition. 

The deal relies on a trade of 1.7 acres of borough land, protected under the state Green Acres program, for 2.1 acres of land from the Vanderbeck House property. The State House Commission would have to approve the deal, though the state often requires a greater ratio of land be given in exchange for protected land, as high as 8:1.

As part of the deal, Barrister has offered to give the Vanderbeck House to the borough and make a donation toward repairs to the Naugle House, according to Deputy Mayor Ed Trawinski.

"We thought that was a pretty good deal when the developer could go in there and demolish it," Trawinski said.

Members of the Fair Lawn Historic Preservation Commission were split on the issue when they discussed it last week. Some members echoed Trawinski's comments that they should work with a developer willing to work with them, while others said they were concerned that the project could cause new problems like flooding of the Naugle House, because of increased impervious coverage, surfaces like pavement which can't absorb rain.

"Is it worth it to save the Vanderbeck House to do this to the Naugle House?" Borough Historian Jane Diepeveen asked.

Barrister has asked the commission to write a letter supporting the land swap for their application before the state. They voted to hold a special meeting July 22 to make a decision on the issue, giving themselves more time to look at the plans and consider the issues.

If the land swap is not approved, the Vanderbeck House could face demolition. The borough does not have much it can do to stop the owner, the estate of its deceased resident, from knocking it down, Trawinski said. The estate has only expressed interest in selling to a developer, and the borough likely could not afford to buy it even if they were willing. 

"We don't have the $2.2 million that it would cost us," Trawinski said.

Some residents have called for the borough to issue a moratorium blocking demolition, but that is generally only done in cases to protect public health, according to Trawinski. 

Pam Coles, a member of the Open Space Committee, said she expected the house would be demolished this year if the swap is not approved. 

"This house is going to be demolished by November," she said.

Gelfand, the history professor, suggested finding a different use, like offices or a bed and breakfast, which would allow the Vanderbeck House to remain as is. Commission Chair Felice Koplik agreed and said that the Jewish Historical Society had expressed interest in the Vanderbeck House.

"We have to be a little more creative in the use of these houses," Koplik said.