Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-January 20, 2010 Issue

Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • January 20, 2010 Mahwah Pilot memorializing resolution gains board approval by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Board of Adjustment has approved the memorializing resolution that confirms its previous approval of the Pilot Corporation’s plan to renovate and expand its truck site on Route 17 South into a service station for fueling trucks and automobiles. Pilot’s plan includes a cleanup of any soil contamination on the site, the demolition of the complete site, and its reconstruction into a fueling service station with a six-station truck diesel fueling area and a 12-station car fueling area, each with overhead canopies, and the construction of a new 4,282 square foot convenience store on the site. The plan eliminates 90 percent of the existing truck spaces on the property and all overnight truck parking, and permits the local police department to enforce the state’s law restricting the idling of trucks. The resolution confirms the board’s approval of use variances, bulk variances, preliminary and final site plans, site plan exceptions, checklist waivers, �� and a soil movement permit. Barring an appeal of the board’s decision, the resolution also clears the way for Pilot to start planning and scheduling the project. The conditional use variance granted by the zoning board will permit Pilot to change the use of its site from a truck stop to a service station even though a township ordinance, which was adopted just prior to the Pilot application being submitted to the board, does not permit service stations within 500 feet of a school property. The high school athletic field is located within that distance across Ridge Road from the Pilot site. When the Pilot plan was approved by the zoning board, six of the seven board members agreed that the proposed use would still be appropriate for the site even though it is within 500 feet of school property in violation of a township ordinance. They also agreed that the site can accommodate any problems such as air quality, noise, and traffic associated with the use; that it did not pose any substantial detriment to the public good; and that the character of the neighborhood would not be substantively impacted by the use. The zoning board made several language changes to the resolution before it was approved in order to clarify exactly what would, and would not, be permitted on the site and to seek the approval of the New Jersey Department of Transportation to place a sign at the intersection of West Ramapo Avenue and Ridge Road to direct trucks down the ramp to Route 17 to reach the Pilot site instead of using the Ridge Road entrance, which will be closed as a condition of this approval. The board also added a sentence to prohibit car carrier trucks from picking up or dropping off cars at the Pilot site, and asked Pilot to update the plans to reflect all the changes required by the board and to be in conformance with the board’s approval. The Pilot plan to convert its truck stop into a service station was approved after 17 months of public hearings after Pilot submitted its plan to the board in July 2008. During that time, two groups represented by attorneys opposed the plan and it is one, or both, of those groups that might appeal the board’s approval of the plan to either the Mahwah Township Council or Superior Court. The two groups that opposed the Pilot plan are Paks Fast Service, Inc., the owner of the Valero service station located north of the Pilot site on Route 17, and Parents for Safety, LLC, a nonprofit organization created by parents of students who attend the schools on Ridge Road. Interested parties have 10 days after the adoption of the resolution of approval is published to appeal to the council and 45 days to appeal to Superior Court. CHILDREN WITH AUTISM THRIVE IN KARATE PROGRAM Children with autism can learn social skills, discipline, sportsmanship, concentration and respect in a special needs class at Mayer’s Karate & Fitness. The Passaic County business provides children with autism and other disabilities an opportunity to thrive in a social setting. Nineteen children, 14 of whom have autism, enjoy classes each Saturday. In February of last year, Janine and Charles Benigno enrolled their son Nicholas, who is on the autism spectrum. “The program fosters development of camaraderie, which is evident when the children support each other,” Janine said. “We are pleased with Nicholas’ progress and look forward to many more years of physical and social development that the program provides.” Margaret Mruz’s son Owen has shown an improvement in his self-esteem, behavior and socialization. “It has proven beneﬁcial not only to him, but to our family.” she said. The business is owned by Mark Mayer and staffed with a black belt certiﬁed special needs program because he felt that children with special needs were not getting the speciﬁc training they require in his typical classes. The kids work hard in my classes and want to succeed,” said Mayer, a 6th degree black belt. “The key is self esteem. We work on motivation, focus and getting them to believe in themselves.” The program has successfully helped students concentrate on anger management and relaxation while having fun. Private sessions are available throughout the week. Special The Villadom TIMES is publishing a special gift guide section for Valentine’s Day. Reach all of your local consumers in search of the perfect gift for their loved ones. Don’t miss your chance to participate. Call today for Special Rates! Publication Date: February 10 Circulation: 56,300 Weekly ZONE 1: Franklin Lakes, Wyckoff, Midland Park ZONE 2: Glen Rock, Ridgewood ZONE 3: Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Waldwick, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, ZONE 4: Ramsey, Mahwah Deadline: February 3 201-652-0744 YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER ��