Traffic engineering plans for the Residences at Reuten Park, a proposed 195-unit luxury senior living development in Closter, N.J., were recently presented to the borough’s Zoning Board of Adjustments. Engineering testimony, which included traffic study analysis, highlighted benefits of the Residences at Reuten Park, such as traffic reductions compared to current and other permitted uses, which allow for a 92,475-square-foot industrial complex.

Property owner Reuten Associates and developer Metropolis Property Group are seeking a variance to transform outdated industrial buildings at Reuten Corporate Park, located at 231 and 239 Herbert Avenue, into a modern community providing a mix of independent living, assisted living and memory care.

“The structure that currently stands at 231 and 239 Herbert Avenue is a large industrial site that causes significantly more mid-day traffic compared to the proposed residential usage for Residences at Reuten Park,” said Matthew Seckler, principal at Stonefield Engineering & Design. “Reducing traffic— particularly truck traffic – will create a safer, quieter and cleaner Closter.”

During the hearing, Seckler discussed traffic studies conducted on Herbert Avenue, which found that the Residences at Reuten park will reduce traffic during rush hour by 30%. Large vehicles such as tractor-trailers, box trucks, delivery vans, and work vans currently make up 10–20% of the trips to the current site. Vehicles of this kind create significantly more congestion throughout Closter roadways than the proposed use, which is projected to be 99% passenger cars. This reduction of truck traffic will drastically benefit the school that is close to the property, decreasing opportunities for conflict during school drop-off and pick-up times.

“The benefits that come from transforming an industrial complex into a residential one are endless for a borough of our size,” said Mike Reuten, owner and managing partner of Reuten Associates. “Industrial developments draw in several large trucks a day—causing disruptions to the neighborhood— and with an elementary school just across the street from our property and homes surrounding the area, we knew the Residences at Reuten Park would be the best fit for the Closter community.”

The study also found that an industrial building about 30,000-square-feet smaller than the current structure at 231 and 239 Herbert Avenue will still cause more traffic than the proposed residential development. Despite this decree, The Residences at Reuten park will take additional action to further reduce traffic by utilizing a private driveway for employee use, which will divert traffic off Herbert Avenue. Employee scheduling will also be staggered to avoid traffic during the start of shift periods.

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Background on Reuten Associates
For nearly 80 years, the Reuten family has been closely tied to the Closter community. In 1945, Michael “Fred” Reuten purchased the property for his gutter manufacturing business and grew the company into a national manufacturer of doors and windows. His son Fred Reuten later turned the site into Reuten Corporate Park, leasing buildings to several manufacturing companies. His spouse Pat Reuten and his children Michael Reuten and Laura Reuten Kessler, who now own and manage the property, envision the proposed Residences at Reuten Park to fulfill an unmet need for senior housing in Closter.

About Metropolis Property Group (MPG)
Metropolis Property Group is a privately owned full-service real estate investment, development, and management company that also provides consulting and brokerage services. It has offices in Rhode Island and New Jersey. In 2012 the company began to provide consulting and brokerage services to real estate development and investment companies working in the NYC Metro area.MPG focuses on the acquisition and development of senior housing communities as well as multifamily, industrial, and hospitality. To learn more about MPG, visit: https://www.metropolispropertygroup.com/