Township Committee Gives Developer A Second Chance

The Maplewood Township Committee has given developer Daibes 14, LLC one last chance after giving them an ultimatum in October.

By Oct. 3, the company had been set to redevelop 116 Springfield Ave., the site of a former auto body shop, since 2010, but still did not have the proper building permits to move ahead on the project. The project will be a mixed use building with more than 5,700 square feet of retail on the first floor, along with six apartment units on a second floor, according to the Maplewoodian.

Members of the Township Committee agreed to give the developer until Nov. 4 to obtain the needed permits or they will put out a bid for a new project.

“We don't want to be played,” Maplewood Mayor Victor De Luca said at the time. “And we don't want you to come back and tell us what you are going to do about these problems, we want you to come back and say what you have done about these problems.”

On Nov. 4, representatives from Daibes did come back before the Township Committee to tell them they had gone through the proper procedures and would soon be issued the appropriate permits for the footings and foundation.

“The agreement we have says you have to start construction within 30 days after receiving the building permit,” said De Luca. “The clark starts to tick as soon as soon as you get that permit from (Maplewood Construction Official Robert) Mittermaier and you have 18 months after the initial building permit to finish this project.”

The Township Committee unanimously voted not to terminate the redevelopment agreement with Daibes.