MONTVALE, NJ—DePiero’s Farm ownership has supported the passage of an ordinance to have two of its land parcels rezoned under the Borough of Montvale’s master plan. The farm stand operation, currently located at the corner of Mercedes Drive and West Grand Avenue, will be evaluated to be changed to a lifestyle retail marketplace.
“A new use for these 28 acres of farmland is the only option, other than foreclosure, which would hurt everyone,” said Elaine DePiero, who has been farming the land alongside her husband for more than five decades. “In the past, we have not been interested in selling our farm; but times have changed. We have no other choice but to explore the most favorable alternative use for the borough, our neighbors and our family.”
The farm was established in 1924 by Edward’s father, Dante, and has since been cared for by four generations of DePieros.
The DePieros, along with their joint venture partner The S. Hekemian Group, have been working with a team of consultants to identify the best alternative use for the farmland. The new ordinance facilitates the development of a farm-inspired lifestyle retail marketplace, which would provide an estimated tax surplus of $765,000 per year. The proposed Shoppes at DePiero Farm would a 140,000-sq.-ft. Wegmans, as well as 84,000 sq. ft. of retail.
A multifamily component is also being considered and would potentially contain 32 affordable units to satisfy the Borough’s affordable housing obligation mandated by the Council on Affordable Housing.
The development team includes RTKL Associates Inc., which is handling site planning, design and landscape architecture.