Mahwah March 4, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 3 Franklin Turnpike site considered for rezoning by Frank J. McMahon A 7.8 acre site on the west side of Franklin Turnpike near the border of Ramsey is being studied by Mahwah’s professional planner for potential rezoning from the GI80 general industry zone to the B12 general business zone. That change would permit the site to be developed for retail businesses. Mahwah Township Administrator Brian Campion recently advised the council that a potential purchaser of the property and the 108,000 square foot building located on the site has requested the rezoning with the claim that retail development of the site would be its best use. The building is now occupied by the Liberty Corporate Travel Company, which will soon terminate its operation there and vacate the building. The potential purchaser, KMG/H&O Mahwah LLC, of Woodbridge, has agreed to cover the cost of the study by the township’s professional planner. The Franklin Turnpike area near the Ramsey border is currently zoned on both sides for general industry. Farther north, the land is zoned for residential use on the east side and for business on both sides from Miller Road to the border of Suffern, New York. Campion voiced the opinion that it may not be feasible for this property, with frontage on Franklin Turnpike, to remain zoned for industry in the 21st century. He recommended sending the request to the township’s planning consultant. However, he emphasized that the rezoning request pertains just to the strip of land along the Franklin Turnpike frontage and not the whole GI-80 zone in that area of the township. Councilman Samuel Alderisio voiced concern about the traffic a retail business strip would create on Franklin Turnpike. He said such a change might require a traffic light at the nearby Valley Regional Medical Center, which is located north of the site, and at the intersection of Bellgrove Drive. (continued on page 20) Mahwah Schools Foundation members Lisa Kosmala, Carla Giampaglia and Leslie Carter display prizes that will be auctioned off at the Black and White Starry Night Gala. The event will be held from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. on March 10 at Seasons in Washington Township, and will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and dancing. The band, Presence, will entertain with top hits and favorites. A “Trustee’s Treasure Trove’ auction of four select prizes will include a Sharp Aquos 42” flat screen television, a Wii Game Console and Wii Fit, a New York City weekend, and a bracelet from Devon Fine Jewelry. For gala tickets, contact Carla at (201) 512-1407 or at carljer@aol.com. Visit online at www.themsf.org for more information. All proceeds from the gala will benefit Mahwah’s six public schools. Gala plans finalized ���������� ���������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������� ���������� ������������������������� Dr. Heather Sculthorpe is proud to present Tracy Collins, a 2006 winner of the Hygienist of the Year from RDH Magazine. Now Accepting Patients ����������������������������� ������������ Tracy Collins, RDH and Heather Sculthorpe, DMD CHILDREN’S DENTAL SPECIALIST 841 Franklin Ave, Suite 2 FRANKLIN LAKES • 201-891-0096 hsculthorpedmd@yahoo.com Specialty Permit #5582 BRAND NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART OFFICE • Specially Trained Staff • Digital X-rays • Latex-Free • TVs • Video Games • Toys • Prizes ��������������������������������������������������� SATURDAY HOURS AVAILABLE � ������� � �������� ����� �� ������������������������� ������������������������������������������� ���������� ����� �� ���������������������� � ������ ������ DIET CENTER OF RAMSEY 246 N. Franklin Tpke #2 ® with DIET CENTER® Call Now & Kiss Those Pounds Goodbye! 20-30-40 POUNDS OR MORE 201-818-LOSE...the weight (5673) LOSE ��������������������� ����������������������������