Last month, before a crowded room of concerned neighbors, the Planning Board approved the Church of God of Prophecy's plans to acquire, destroy and replace one of Englewood’s classic historic homes with a large church building and parking lot.

The house in question is over a century old and located on a large lot at 237 Tenafly Road in a single-family residential area.  It was the residence of Dan Fellows Platt, a former mayor and one of Englewood's most prominent residents.

Unfortunately, the Planning Board chose to ignore the historic significance of this residence.  It chose to ignore the protests of neighboring homeowners.  It chose to ignore testimony on the detrimental impact this construction will have on neighborhood traffic and parking.  It chose to ignore the further erosion of Englewood’s tax base.

Because of the large turnover in its membership, most Planning Board members had not in fact listened to the case's testimony, which had been taken during numerous hearings over the last three years.  Instead, they took their cues from Mayor Michael Wildes, who had appointed them to their seats. The neighbors of the property, as well as other concerned citizens, are currently raising funds to finance an appeal. For further information contact John Clagett at 201-503-1004.