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Members of the board each voted "no" for the AvalonBay project on Totowa Road, and many said it would not have been in the best interest of Wayne.
"This application may be good for some other town," Chairman Mark Kirk said, "... right now I don't see that as a good thing in our town."
Many Wayne residents voiced opposition to the project, citing increased traffic, population and eventually taxes as some reasons why.
About 17 members of the public spoke at Monday's meeting, with all of them opposing the development.
"The thing is, do we really need 1,600 to 2,000 in rental population?" resident Steve Raynor said.
George Dent said he's seen many changes in Wayne over his decades in the township, but this would not be a positive one.
"If I have any expertise, it comes from being a Wayne resident for 57 years," Dent said.
The project required two variances, or exceptions to the township's zoning guidelines, for its height, and for residential use at an industrial site.
Board member William Van Gleson said the site has been meant for industrial use for decades and they should not give up on finding the right opportunity for the property.
Fellow board member John Cappo said he did not think the benefits would outweigh the detriments for the proposal.
The 32-acre site currently is currently occupied by a vacant building.
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