The Villadom Times Weekly Newspaper Online-Jun 9, 2010 Issue

June 9, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Mahwah Rezoning ordinance tabled by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Council has decided to table a new ordinance that would revise the zoning of two lots on Franklin Turnpike near the border of Ramsey, and 30 lots in a block on Franklin Turnpike between East Ramapo Avenue and King Street. The rezoning of these properties to a new B-80 commercial business zone has been recommended by Joseph Burgis, the township’s professional planner, and it has been reviewed by the council several times at public meetings. The ordinance was introduced at a public meeting on April 29, and the township’s planning board subsequently recommended its adoption, finding the ordinance consistent with the goal of the township’s master plan to improve and upgrade traffic circulation. The ordinance was expected to be adopted at the May 27 council meeting, but concerns and objections were raised by the owner of several of the lots in the block between East Ramapo Avenue and King Street and by Santo Alampi, the attorney for the owner of the majority of lots in that block who also voiced concerns about the required setbacks in the new ordinance. The council then voted to table the ordinance to permit further review at a future work session. Maureen Postolowski owns 10 of the 30 lots in the block between East Ramapo Avenue and King Street, and her home is located on eight of those lots, which are currently in the GI-80 general industrial zone. She reminded the council that she requested the rezoning of those eight lots to the B-10 business zone in a letter to the township in February 2009. She explained that her reasons for requesting the change were to become a conforming lot in the existing and current B-10 zone, since the majority of the block was already zoned B10. She also pointed out that she gave the township $3,500 in April 2009 to put into escrow to cover the cost of having the township’s planner review her request. “The zoning change request was my idea from the beginning,” Postolowski told the council, “and I was merely trying to change just the zoning for my house.” She claimed that both she and her attorney, Bruce Whitaker, were assured that the council looked favorably upon her request. As the review of her zoning change request continued, however, she said she was unaware that the thought of creating a new B-80 zone was being considered and, during that time, neither she nor her attorney had any communication from the township about the potential zoning change to B-80. “Since the town has my money in escrow and this was a process initiated by me, I feel I was entitled, or my attorney was entitled, (continued on page 25) Teacher’s aid Mahwah High School Principal John Pascale, teacher Vincent Dionisio, Mahwah Schools Foundation Trustee Patrice Scully, and Foundation President Prema Moorthy, and students Florian Maurer, Charles Scully and Jessica Kramer display the Tablet teaching tool. The Tablet enables teachers to show PowerPoint presentations using a Tablet Stylus, move about the room while presenting science simulations, and have students participate by bringing the Tablet to them to write on a digital worksheet or manipulate a simulation. The Mahwah Schools Foundation provides grants to purchase such technology by funds raised through donations from companies like IBM Corporation, which donated funds earmarked for technology, and through events like the upcoming Golf Outing. a dance studio in the classical tradition Ballet • Pointe • Character • Stretch Partnered Adagio • Adult Classes • Boys Class Accepting students of all levels from age 5 through adults 2010 Summer Training Program Register Now for June 28 - August 28 For information & enrollment, please visit our website: www.petrovballet.com or contact us: 201-445-4499 • Email: info@petrovballet.com 134 Hopper Ave, Waldwick, NJ 07463 �� 4-28-10 kathy/janine �� PetrovBallet3x3COLOR(4-28-10) �� 3 x 3” ��