Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf’s plan to build nearly 500 homes on a mountaintop in New Jersey has met stiff resistance from local officials and environmental advocates.
The proposed development, set for a 120-acre site in the Watchung Mountains, would include 496 residential units, 100 of which are designated as affordable housing. The project is part of a 2020 settlement between Wilf’s company, Garden Homes, and the township of West Orange to help meet the town’s court-mandated affordable housing quota.
Local officials argue the project is flawed and potentially hazardous. They cite the property’s steep terrain, limited road access, and lack of nearby public transportation as major safety and logistical concerns.
The town is under state pressure to deliver 1,000 affordable units between 2025 and 2035. Failure to comply could allow developers to override zoning restrictions, which many officials say has tied their hands.
Opposition groups, including Our Green West Orange and We Care NJ, warn of long-term environmental risks such as flooding and erosion. They also argue that placing low-income residents far from public transit and essential services undermines the goal of equitable housing.
Rachel Klein, a member of We Care NJ, said previous luxury home proposals on the same land were rejected decades ago due to safety concerns.
Wilf, who made his fortune in real estate, purchased the Vikings in 2005. He is estimated to be worth $1.3 billion.
The site remains untouched despite multiple development attempts over the past 30 years. Whether Wilf will be able to finally break the dam on the plot of land is anybody’s guess.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
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