Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES Mahwah IV • May 26, 2010 Pilot to move forward with service station project by Frank J. McMahon The Pilot Corporation has decided to move forward with the demolition of its truck stop on Route 17 in Mahwah and the construction of its new diesel and gasoline service station and convenience store despite two pending lawsuits that seek to reverse the zoning board’s approval of the company’s plans. The Superior Court suits challenging the board’s November 2009 approval of Pilot’s plan have been filed by Paks Fast Service, Inc., which owns the nearby Valero service station on Route 17, and Parents for Safety, LLC, a non-profit organization created by parents of students who attend the schools located on Ridge Road. At the last public council session, Michael Kelly of the township’s engineering firm, Boswell McClave Engineering, advised that Pilot is moving forward with the demolition and construction, and said he requested authorization to execute a developer’s agreement with Pilot. Scott Carlson, one of Pilot’s attorneys, confirmed the plans by Pilot to close its truck stop now and start demolition and construction. According to Kelly, a pre-construction meeting was held on May 12. At that time, Pilot advised that the truck stop would be closed on May 20. Pilot’s plan includes a cleanup of any soil contamination, demolition, and construction of a six-station truck diesel fueling area and a 12-station car fueling area, each with overhead canopies, and construction of a new 4,282 square foot convenience store. The plan eliminates 90 percent of the existing truck spaces and all overnight truck parking, and permits the local police department to enforce the state’s law restricting the idling of trucks. Council President John DaPuzzo emphasized that Pilot is proceeding “at its own peril” since, if the two appeals of the zoning board’s approval are successful, Pilot would not be able to construct anything new on the site and any construction done prior to a potential court decision to reverse the board’s approval would have to be taken down. The council authorized the execution of a developer’s agreement for the demolition and new construction on the site. In response to a question from Councilwoman Lisa DiGiulio, Township Attorney Terry Bottinelli advised that the council’s authorization of the developer’s agreement does not indicate council approval of Pilot’s plans. Kelly said Pilot will provide a performance bond guarantee of well over $1 million, and it was made clear at the pre-construction meeting that Pilot would be at risk if they opted to move forward before the court rules on the appeals. He said that understanding is reflected in the minutes of the pre-construction meeting. He also confirmed that the New Jersey Department of Transportation has approved the proposed closing of the Ridge Road access at the rear of the Pilot site and the proposed access to Route 17. Carlson informed the council that the permanent eightfoot high pool size chain link fence that was approved by the zoning board would be installed along the Ridge Road side of the Pilot property to separate the site from the school property. In response to DiGiulio’s expression of concern about the safety of trucks entering and leaving the site, he explained that the shoulder along Route 17 would be widened to allow trucks to more safely feed into and out of traffic, and access to the site would be “far superior to what’s there now.” According to the Civil Case Management Division of Superior Court, a trial date in the Paks Fast Service, Inc. lawsuit has been set before Superior Court Judge Joseph S. Conte for July 19. The Parents for Safety appeal has been assigned to Superior Court Judge Estela DeLa Cruz, but no date has been set. Be part of the action! TELL US ABOUT YOUR SPORTS SUCCESS. Send us the scores from your favorite local team, a season overview, or an individual success story in the sports scene. Email copy and/or photos to: editorial@villadom.com The Villadom TIMES P.O. Box 96 Midland Park, NJ 07432 YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER