Mahwah March 31, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 9 Neighbors voice objections to Chai Lifeline use by Frank J. McMahon At a recent meeting of the Mahwah Board of Adjustment, two neighbors of a 4.4-acre piece of property at the rear of a seven-lot residential area off Ramapo Valley Road voiced their specific objections to the use of the house on that lot for short stays by multiple families. The house in question overlooks the Ramapo River. The previous owner donated the property to Chai Lifeline, a non-profit organization that has been using the house since 2007 for multi-day periods of grief counseling of families with children who suffer from serious illnesses, groups of mothers whose children have passed away, groups of young widows, or those who share a common family crisis. The township’s zoning ordinance defines a family as “a group of persons functioning as a single housekeeping unit and whose relationship is of a permanent, stable and domestic character as distinguished from non-familial institutional uses, boarding homes, fraternities, sororities, clubs, associations, transient housing, or other similar forms of housing.” In early 2009, Chai Lifeline was informed by the township’s zoning administrative officer that the organization’s use of the property was not permitted by the township’s zoning ordinance. The group appealed that decision to the zoning board of adjustment, which has been holding a public hearing on the appeal since May of 2009. The property is still being used by Chai Lifeline for short stays by different single-family units. One of the neighbors, Mary Grob, is represented by attorney William Smith. Smith provided the board with the specific legal arguments as to why he believes the proposed use of the property by Chai Lifeline violates the township’s zoning ordinance and should not be permitted. The other neighbor gave a lengthy presentation using exhibits and handouts to explain his observations and analysis of the use of the property by Chai Lifeline over a two-year period, and why that use has negatively impacted his privacy, tranquility, and peaceful use of his property. Smith argued that, if the board decides the zoning administrative officer was incorrect in her determination that this use was not permitted in a single-family zone, this property could be used by a different family every single d ay, and the same use could be per mit ted i n any (continued on page 19) NORTH EAST LASER VEIN INSTITUTE Medical Day Spa ������������������������� ������������������������ ������������� ������������������ • Microdermabrasion • Facials • Chemical Peels All Luba • Teen & Adult Acne Control • Eyebrow Design & Eye Lash Tint • Body Waxing (including Brazilian Bikini) Let us put together your Easter Basket or pick one up already made! Gourmet Easter Chocolates & Candy • Cards Toys • Gifts and much more ����������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� Hamilton Square Shopping Center 140 Franklin Tpke, Waldwick • 201-251-7577 S easons ... For Easter! www.nelaserveininstitute.com • 201-445-4410 Grandst Opening Wyckoff Cycle April 1 No Limit, Texas Hold’em Charity Tournament Friday, May 7, 2010, in Ramsey, NJ POKER 3-31-10 Mike/Janine AllSeasonsEaster2x2(3-31-10) 2x2 LLC Avenue •Sales 369 Franklin07481 Wyckoff, NJ •Service 201-891-5500 Across the street from Aldo’s Restaurant •Parts Ample street parking around the corner We Repair ALL Bicycle Brands Authorized Dealer for: Schwinn • GT • Mongoose • Raleigh • First place prize – 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event paid entry, plus VISA gift card to help cover expenses. (Value $12,000.) • Final Table—ALL get paid seats in other 2010 WSOP No Limit Hold’em events in Las Vegas, with VISA gift cards to help cover expenses. • If 200 players register, places 11-20 will be awarded $500 VISA gift cards. • Buy-In is $250, ($300 after April 30th), which gets a player $5,000 in tournament chips; $150 re-buys available in the first 90 minutes of tournament play ($2,500 in chips). • Professional dealers and tournament director. Tournament starts at 8 p.m. • Gourmet Italian buffet dinner, wine, beer, and soft drinks included in buy-in cost. Dinner only guests invited at $50 per head. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. • Sponsored by The Greater Ramsey Chapter of UNICO National, an Italian-American service organization, with all profits going to support its charities. • Advanced Registration Required—Seats are limited. Act now! Contact Joe Verdone (201-825-8819 or jv826v@optonline.net) for complete list of prizes, tournament rules, and registration form. Major credit cards accepted.