Franklin Lakes
July 29, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7
Planners delay approval of Omaha Way subdivision
by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Planning Board has delayed the approval of a three lot subdivision proposed for a steep, rocky property at the end of Omaha Way in order to review all the conditions that may be imposed on the developer, Mark Built Homes. The subject property is approximately 14 acres and is surrounded by residential properties on three sides and by High Mountain Park in Wayne on the south. The site in the borough’s A-130 zone which permits 80,000 square foot lots if water or sewer service is available. United Water NJ has indicated that water would be provided. Jerome Vogel, the developer’s attorney, advised that his client had revised the plans showing the amount of disturbance planned and how the individual lots might ultimately look in compliance with the request of the board. The board was reluctant to approve the subdivision, however, and asked its attorney, John Spizziri, to draw up a draft resolution of approval incorporating all the agreements reached at the previous board meetings, and the developer’s plan to remove 21,000 cubic yards of soil from the site, which will require about 2,000 truck trips. Spizziri recommended that the resolution contain provisions for the soil removal from the subdivision and each individual lot so there would not be problems later when each individual lot purchaser comes back to the board for site plan approval. Vogel advised that his client had prepared a proposal for the removal of that soil and given it to Boswell McClave Engineering, the board’s engineering firm. Boswell’s professional engineer James Kelly acknowledged that the proposal was received two days before the meeting and he described it as “very comprehensive.” The proposal reportedly contained about 70 items that should be reviewed by the board. Kelly also advised the board that the proposal calls for the truck trips to occur between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. He said the board might want to discuss that “tremendous amount of truck traffic” and may want to revise those hours. Vogel sought to have the resolution of approval authorized at the meeting, but acting board chairman Julius Lauber agreed with Spizziri that a draft resolution that will include all aspects of the subdivision should be prepared so the board can understand it before voting.
Capital projects
(continued from page 3) elementary schools and the Franklin Avenue Middle School, with 40 percent of the cost, representing debt service, to be absorbed by the NJDOE. The solar panels would reportedly provide the district with energy savings. Several other communities in the state are pursuing the installation of solar energy systems. Waldwick recently installed solar panels on its borough hall, and Gary Kratz, that borough’s business administrator, expects them to pay for themselves in seven to eight years based on the savings in electricity costs and the value of 20 solar renewable energy certificates that would be generated each year by the use of the panels, which can be sold by that borough for about $650 each. Several members of the Franklin Lakes trustees have voiced concern about their school district’s expenditure for solar panels, however, because of its potential negative effect on the voter’s approval of the referendum that covers the other capital improvement projects.
Dr. Howard Greenberg, who lives on a corner lot between Dakota Trail and the planned subdivision, voiced concern about potential drainage problems when hundreds of trees are removed from the subdivided property. He said there is already a “terrible water problem” on Dakota Trail and he is concerned that this subdivision will intensify that problem. Lauber explained that the drainage from this site will tie into the borough’s system and Andrew Hipolit, the professional engineer who prepared the subdivision plans, assured Greenberg that under state law the runoff from the site must be reduced to less than the current amount when the subdivision is completed. Hipolit previously told the board his plan must meet the state’s residential site improvement standards, which require a 50 percent reduction in water runoff during a two-year storm, a 75 percent reduction during a 10-year storm, and an 80 percent reduction during a 100 year storm. The developer agreed to post two performance bonds to ensure the drainage plan for the three houses will perform as designed. A decision on the subdivision is expected at the board’s Aug. 19 public meeting.
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