North Bergen officials are calling on the Hudson County government to inspect the cliffs after a rock slide at The Duchess apartment building damaged multiple cars.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Specifically, the township is seeking an independent engineering and geological review of the cliffs along John F. Kennedy Boulevard East and River Road from Weehawken to North Bergen.
They believe this will identify potential risks and allow for measures to be implemented to ensure the safety of residents and properties below.
“The safety and well being of our residents are always our top priorities and we are extremely grateful that no one was injured as a result of this unfortunate event,” state Senator (D-32)/North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco said in a statement.
“Our focus now is addressing the aftermath and taking proactive measures to ensure that this does not happen again, because the amount of rain we received that night was not a one time event.”
A county spokesman did not return an email seeking comment on Tuesday.
Local emergency services were on the scene swiftly early Monday morning, following multiple reports of a rock slide that damaged a number of cars parked behind the Dutchess, located at 7601 River Road.
A group of engineers representing the township, Hudson County, and the property owner met on-site Monday and Tuesday and determined the incident was unrelated to any development or construction on River Road.
The engineers determined that the rock slide was created by natural conditions including heavy rain and roots and vegetation growing into the rock formations for many years.
The North Bergen Planning Board requires all development projects that impact the cliff to install protective netting and fencing, however this was not required for the Dutchess because the developers did not touch the cliff in any way.
The township has been considering an ordinance requiring protective netting for all projects below the cliff going forward, and it is expected to be introduced at a future board of commissioners meeting.
Additionally, The Duchess property has hired a company to clean up the debris, which may take several days because they are waiting for the cliff side to settle and any remaining unstable rocks to fall.
Until further notice, the North Bergen Police Department has shut down John F. Kennedy Boulevard between 74th and 78th Street to allow for the investigation to be completed.
Anyone who knows how things work, knows North Bergen RUNS Hudson Co. The county sheriff and exec get their power from NB. The HCDO chair is from NB. This is all for show. They really think you’re that dumb.