Mahwah August 11, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 3 Council tables rezoning ordinance, seeks input .by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Township Council has tabled an ordinance that would have changed the zoning of a Franklin Turnpike property where the first building in Mahwah is located next to the Ramsey border. That building is occupied by the Liberty Corporate Travel Company. The ordinance would have changed the zoning for that property from an industrial GI-80 zone to a new retail business B-80 zone. However, two members of the council voiced concern about the ordinance, and a number of residents who live between Franklin Turnpike and Airmont Avenue objected to the rezoning on the basis that it would increase traffic on their local streets. Originally, the ordinance contemplated the zoning of 30 lots in a block on Franklin Turnpike between East Ramapo Avenue and King Street, and the two lots on Franklin Turnpike near the Ramsey border. The rezoning of all these properties to a new B-80 commercial business zone had been recommended by Joseph Burgis, the township’s professional planner, and by the township’s planning board, whose members found the rezoning was consistent with the goal of the township’s master plan to improve and upgrade traffic circulation, although it would not be entirely consistent with that master plan. After a local property owner expressed concern, the council separated the rezoning of the 30 lots near East Ramapo Avenue from this ordinance, and had intended to proceed with introducing the ordinance to change the zoning of the Liberty Travel lots. However, Councilwoman Lisa DiGiulio and Councilman Harry Williams voiced concerns about the rezoning plan, with DiGiulio calling for a public meeting with the residents of the areas affected by the rezoning before introducing the ordinance. Williams voiced the objections of several residents of the many streets between Franklin Turnpike and Airmont Avenue who claim motorists already use their residential streets to cut through from Airmont Avenue to Franklin Turnpike via Bellgrove Drive. “I want input from all the people in the area of Franklin Turnpike,” DiGiulio said, adding that she wants to explain the plan for Franklin Turnpike to the residents before the ordinance is introduced. “I’m against doing it without a plan for Franklin Turnpike and input from the people about what we are doing.” Williams referred to a petition with 91 names of area residents who oppose the rezoning. He said, “There is a serious concern about traffic because retail creates significantly more traffic.” He explained that the traffic study prepared by Burgis only deals with the traffic on Franklin Turnpike, but not the traffic coming through the neighborhoods on local streets to avoid the traffic on Franklin Turnpike. “This is a request by one property owner,” Williams said, “but 91 people are asking us to reject it. There is enough public outcry on this and, if we pass an ordinance, we are ignoring the people who put us in these chairs” The two residents who voiced objection to the rezoning plan were Suzanne Curry and Allan Becker, both of whom live on streets connected to Bellgrove Drive. Curry asked the council not to be shortsighted because it is unknown how big a store might locate on this site and she predicted that would change the neighborhood and bring down home values. Becker complained about the speeding vehicles between Airmont Avenue and Franklin Turnpike, stating, “Franklin Turnpike traffic is heavy enough, so please consider this when you change the zoning.” Council President John DaPuzzo voiced a different concern. If the property is not rezoned now, he said, an objectionable industrial use could be proposed that could lead to even more traffic, and then the council would not be able to rezone the site. “My concern is if a GI-80 use (were) put there, the 8 a.m., noon, and 5 p.m. traffic would devastate Franklin Turnpike, and I don’t think the people are aware of that,” DaPuzzo said. Burgis argued that the appropriate place for the public to be heard on the ordinance is during a public hearing after (continued on page 23) Church partners with Families Anonymous On Aug. 22, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in conjunction with Families Anonymous of Mahwah/ Ramsey, will hold a 4 p.m. service for the families of, and those suffering from, alcohol or drug addiction. Families Anonymous, a national organization of concerned relatives and friends whose lives have been adversely affected by a loved one’s addiction to alcohol or drugs, meets at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 900 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah. Visit familiesanonymous.com or contact Richard or Barbara at (201) 327-0748 or famahwah@verizon.net. POSH PAINTING Allen A. Ghorashi, DDS 545 Island Road, Suite #1A Ramsey, New Jersey 07446 201-818-6565 20 % OFF “We deliver a high quality product at a reasonable price”. 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