Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 19, 2011 Wyckoff Opposition’s attorney examines applicant’s planner by John Koster The expert testimony on behalf of the application by Inserra Supermarkets for a 62,042-suare foot ShopRite on the former A&P lot came to a conclusion as Peter Steck, Inserra’s planner, was examined before the Wyckoff Planning Board by Gail Price, the attorney for Stop & Shop. Price questioned the size of the building, the setbacks from the adjoining properties and parking location, among other concerns. The proposed building is code compliant as it relates to the Greenwood residences and to a commercial property. Since the Boulder Run property also includes the affordable housing component on the second floor, however, that property is classified as residential and requires a larger setback. The proposed building’s rear yard setback is 50 ft. and the side yard is 100 ft. The next hearing of the Wyckoff Planning Board is scheduled for Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at Wyckoff Town Hall, at which time the board will hear from the attorneys for the opponents: Stop & Shop and the Hekemian Company, owners of the Boulder Run shopping plaza. The case has now been before the board of adjustment for more than a year. Inserra has agreed to suggestions from the Wyckoff Shade Tree Commission and from the Wyckoff Design Review Committee for changes in the original proposed plan to make the exterior of the store more compatible with Wyckoff’s “rural-residential” decor and to provide additional shade trees for the expansive parking lot between the railroad right-of-way and the proposed development, as well as a better buffer from the three residences across Greenwood Avenue. More than 1,130 new shade trees and permanent shrubs are being proposed throughout the site. Currently, a vacant 53,500-square-foot building occupies the site which formerly housed an A&P and an adjoin- ing Walgreen’s at the corner of Wyckoff and Greenwood avenues. The property has been vacant for more than 10 years, leaving the structure and existing 431 parking spaces in a state of total disrepair. An 11,700-square-foot multi-tenant strip mall, which housed a NJ Division of Motor Vehicles branch office and is now vacant, also occupies the site. Prior to A&P subletting the space, the long-term leaseholder, Stop & Shop, occupied the now-distressed building and left it unoccupied while it re-established operations at the Boulder Run shopping center. Inserra Supermarkets became the long-term ground lessee of the 7.6-acre site in 2009 and is now actively seeking redevelopment approvals. The Wyckoff Board of Education recently honored Eagle Scout candidate Peter George Douma for his work on the dugouts located behind Wyckoff Town Hall. The board approved a proclamation at last week’s board of education meeting. “Through Peter’s insight, hard work, and leadership, better organized and safer dugouts were created and enjoyed by all team members,” the proclamation states. Eagle Scout Candidate Peter George Douma started his career in Boy Scouting as a member of Pack 198 in first grade and then moved to Pack 89 in fifth grade. Board honors Scout for work on dugouts He first noticed the state of the dugouts while playing on Ramapo High School’s freshman team. “As a player, it became apparent to Peter that there was a need to provide a safe place for baseball equipment and personal belongings,” the proclamation adds. “Peter decided to organize a group of friends to build and stain shelves and cubbies for the inside of the dugout to house helmets and other baseball equipment. Hooks were added on the outside of the dugouts for backpacks and personal belongings.” J. KOSTER Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox reported the success of “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day” on Oct. 10, following a New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety announcement that enforcement would be stepped up. “We had no fatalities, and in fact no arrests, so I guess it was a success,” Chief Fox said the morning after the unfunded state initiative. Chief Fox added, however, that every day of the year Wyckoff works to stop motorists who speed, drive while intoxicated, or ignore traffic signals and road signs. The Wyckoff Township Committee recently learned that Wyckoff had once again been honored with an AAA Police chief deems safety effort a success Highway Safety Award for enforcement and education leading to safer driving and a theoretically reduced number of accidents and injuries. Wyckoff is widely regarded as a state leader in traffic safety and Fox received a number of awards as the traffic officer before he became police chief. “The goal is to place a spotlight on what it takes to keep our roadways safe,” Chief Fox said. “A motor vehicle crash that can result in a fatality or injury takes only a second of careless driving. The resulting consequences when there is a crash, unfortunately, can last a lifetime.” J. KOSTER