MPC Speaks Out Against Destruction of Historic SO Homestead Bordering Meadowland Park

January 4th, 2021
To the South Orange Planning Board…

​On behalf of the Meadowland Park Conservancy, we’re writing to express our concern about the potential redevelopment of the historic home and property, known as the Squier-Redmond home, at 167 N. Ridgewood Road in South Orange. It is our understanding that a developer has purchased the property and plans to subdivide to create two new homes.
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​​On behalf of the community, The Conservancy has a vested interest in the integrity, character, and responsible stewardship of not only the 30 acres of the park, but also the properties and structures that border the park.

We understand that the home on the property, while incredibly historic and dating from the late 1700s, may be beyond repair and a poor investment for any potential buyer.  What concerns us is the lack of regulation on what the new buyer can and might do with both the new structures and the property.

The property has some of the few remaining old growth trees in town and their removal would permanently mar the view from Meadowland Park (and N. Ridgewood Road, a gateway to South Orange from the north).

​While there might not be any ordinance which prevents the developer from razing the current structure and building two new homes, we hope that the Village and the Planning Board will do everything in its power to ensure that the development keep the historic nature of the area as well as the integrity of the property’s scenic attributes as they relate to the park and its environs.
We appreciate your thoughtful consideration.

Regards,

Matt Glass
Linda Beck
Neil Chambers

Co-Founders