AN NFL owner is spearheading a move to build a new apartment complex nestled within the mountains – but it has proved controversial. 

The property plans first surfaced around two decades ago but they were put on the backburner. 

Concerns are mounting among locals now they have resurfaced, as reported by the outlet New Jersey Advance Media. 

Zygmunt Wilf, who is a co-owner of the Minnesota Vikings, is involved in a property development group that has announced plans to construct 500 new residences in a forested area within New Jersey’s Watchung Mountains.

The mountains are known for their attractive viewing points overlooking New York City.

A quarter of the 120-acre forest would have to be cleared for the properties. 

Wilf’s group, Garden Homes, first put forward the idea to build homes in 2006, but officials rejected the plans due to safety fears.

At the time, he suggested building 136 affordable homes. 

Officials struck an agreement in 2020, but locals are still bewildered about the plans to build the new homes.

Rachel Klein, who has lived near to the mountain for a decade, said the plans make “no sense.”

“We initially declined: If building 136 homes, each valued at $1 million, seemed unsafe back then, why does it become safe now just because people with lower incomes are moving in?” she explained to Realtor.

Klein admitted she doesn’t understand the motive behind the plans.

“Nothing’s ever been built on this land,” she said.

When the plans were rejected, safety concerns were raised. 

Paul Tractenberg, a resident since 1998, voiced his worries to Gothamist, noting that emergency services might struggle to reach the homes in this region.

“In the event of a fire or flood or any kind of natural calamity, [it] might well trap the residents, might prevent emergency vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances from getting in,” he said.

We said no.

Rachel Kleinresident

Even though the plan to build the homes has been approved, officials still fear the potential impacts. 

Joe Krakoviak, the president of the West Orange township, alluded to potential environmental concerns.

Environmental groups have noted concerns about potential damages to wetlands, for example. 

There are fears that residents who move into the property once built may not have the necessary access to local services. 

“There is a need for affordable housing, but this is just not the appropriate place for it,” Klein said.

New Jersey officials are aiming to build 84,000 new homes by 2035. 

Wilf, who is also chair of Orlando City, bought the Minnesota Vikings for around $600 million in 2005. 

A spokesperson for Garden Homes has not commented.