Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • December 22, 2010 Wyckoff The Christian Health Care Center’s application for a use variance and site plan approval for the 600,000-square-foot “Vista” addition opened last week before the Wyckoff Zoning Board of Adjustment and an audience of about 150 area residents. The session was held at Saint Nicholas Board hears Christian Health Care Center case Greek Orthodox Church in anticipation of a large turnout. Wyckoff officials expect that the full application could last anywhere from six months to a year before a decision is made. If approved, the building, located on a 78-acre campus on the border with Hawthorne, would be the largest building ever constructed in Wyckoff. Plans call for the building to be 39.2 feet high at the tallest point and 72 feet long on the longest side. Proponents say, however, that the building would be tucked into a hillside, would not be visible from Sicomac Avenue, and would provide needed services in the area. Ground coverage would not exceed municipal ordinance standards. Doug Struyk, president of the Christian Health Care Center, was the only speaker at the meeting. He outlined the plans, which call for 258 independent living units, some with one bedroom and some with two bedrooms, in a building to be located on the Wyckoff/Hawthorne border. The proposal calls for 172 units in Wyckoff and 82 in Hawthorne. The Christian Health Care Center presently has 73 independent living units on site along with a nursing home, a psychiatric facility, an adult day care center, and an outpatient mental health unit. According to CHCC, the intent of the Vista plan is to provide a home life community setting for seniors where they can have a sense of community, security, and independence. The site would include a wellness center. Residents would pay an entry fee, which would be refundable, and would also be charged for services such as meals, security, housekeeping, and property taxes. A building would be constructed in the existing woods and trees would be planted around the structure. In analyzing the preliminary draft some months ago, the Wyckoff Shade Tree Committee had some issues with the way the tree line was being handled. Plans stipulate a 150-foot natural vegetation buffer strip between the building and the property line and extensive landscaping once the new building is completed. Plans for resident parking garages under the residential wing also raised some objections from Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox when he looked over the plans some weeks before the hearing. Chief Fox also said that Sicomac Avenue and Cedar Hill Avenue would have some problems dealing with the stop-and-start traffic that could be expected. “The overall height of the structure is completely unacceptable to us,” Wyckoff Fire Chief David Murphy said of the architect’s plans when Murphy reviewed the concept. A number of other concerns will also be reviewed during the application process. Students help ECF The children at the Andrew Friedland Preschool at Temple Beth Rishon in Wyckoff collected gifts that were then donated to the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation. The foundation serves New Jersey’s children with cancer and their families. SHOTMEYER BROS. “We’re the Energy Experts!” The Finest Heating Oil and Service Company in the Industry! Winter specials available now for a limited time only. Call Robin at 973-636-7000 AUTOMATIC DELIVERY! COMPLETE INSTALLATION! EMERGENCY SERVICE! Dependable, Reliable Service for Over 80 Years! Call Us Today! 973-427-1000