*Please only sign petition if you are a past or present Demarest resident.

We are asking 232 County Development LLC to Withdraw the Townhouse Proposal

We, the undersigned residents of Demarest, respectfully urge 232 County Development LLC (Agent: Michael Feinstein) to abandon the proposed plan to demolish the historic home located at 232 County Road and replace it with 8 luxury townhouses and 2 affordable housing units.

This is not a typical redevelopment site. It is one of Demarest’s most iconic properties and a cornerstone of our town’s identity. Its loss would cause irreversible harm.

1. The Property is a Historic Home and an Integral Part of Demarest's Character

Archival evidence from 1876 confirms that the home was occupied by Ralph S. Demarest, a member of the founding family for whom our town is named. The house retains original 19th-century architectural features and is one of the few remaining structures in Demarest directly tied to our early settlement history.

The home has stood for 150 years, quietly anchoring the downtown and welcoming residents and visitors with its distinctive historic presence. Once it is gone, a key part of Demarest’s identity will be gone forever.

Replacing it with modern townhouses, on a gateway corner, across from the Duck Pond, fundamentally changes the visual and cultural fabric of our historic center.

 
2. The Community Overwhelmingly Opposes the Project

At the recent Mayor & Council meeting, residents spent more than 90 minutes voicing concerns.
The sentiment was clear: Demarest does not want this historic home destroyed or replaced with densely packed luxury townhouses.

This opposition reflects broad community consensus, not isolated complaints.

 
3. This Is Not Genuine Affordable Housing. It Is a Zoning Workaround

Although the proposal includes two affordable units, the overwhelming majority of the project consists of high-end townhomes.

Residents are deeply concerned that:

·       The project uses affordable housing laws as a pretext to build luxury units.

·       The builders challenging Demarest’s affordable housing plan are creating the very affordability crisis they claim to be solving by buying older homes, demolishing them, and replacing them with multimillion-dollar houses.

·       Demarest is already compliant with the State’s Round 3 obligations and has a United Way affordable housing development underway.

In short: Zoning should not be changed to benefit a private development that does not advance the town’s real affordable housing needs.

 
4. The Project Creates Serious Traffic & Safety Risks

232 County Road sits at one of Demarest’s busiest and most dangerous intersections, directly beside:

·       The Middle School  

·       A newly installed traffic light (installed because of safety concerns)

·       Crosswalks heavily used by children

We have already had children injured here. Adding traffic from 10-12 new residential units will increase danger at a location where safety is already fragile.

 
5. Significant Environmental Damage Will Occur

The development would require:

·       Removal of mature trees

·       Massive increase in impervious surface

·       Construction on elevated grade, increasing runoff onto County Road

·       Higher flood risk during heavy storms — an issue the town already struggles to manage

For a small town with limited drainage infrastructure, this poses long-term risks.

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We respectfully ask that you, as a neighbor, builder, and fellow member of this community, take into account:

·       The historic significance of the home

·       The overwhelming public opposition

·       The irreversible cultural loss

·       The safety and environmental risks

·       The damage to Demarest’s long-standing character

…and withdraw your intention to demolish this property and pursue the townhouse development.

This is an opportunity to demonstrate a genuine commitment to responsible development that reflects the values and wishes of the community.

We believe there are alternative paths forward that would respect both your professional goals and the town’s heritage. We are eager to collaborate on constructive solutions.

 
Sincerely,
Concerned Residents of Demarest

*Please only sign petition if you are a past or present Demarest resident.