Ho-Ho-Kus April 27, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 9 Proposal would keep restaurants away from residences by Jennifer Crusco John Hanlon, chairman of the Ho-Ho-Kus Planning Board, attended last week’s Ho-Ho-Kus Council work session to review a proposal that would keep restaurants away from the borough’s residential zones. This planning board initiative includes a draft ordinance that has been referred to the council. In outlining the proposal for the council, Hanlon mentioned several areas the ordinance would affect, including Carlton Avenue near Warren Avenue, Elmwood, and Brookside. The goal, Hanlon said, is to protect residents from undue noise and traffic. “If we do nothing, the residents have no say,” Hanlon said. Councilman Kevin Shea asked about other businesses, such as gyms, that might be located near a residential zone and would also be busy in the evenings. Hanlon said a proposal for a business such as a gym would come before the planning board. Hanlon clarified, “We’re only looking as restaurants in residential areas.” Mayor Thomas Randall agreed that the ordinance drafted by the borough’s planner, Ed Sneickus of Burgis Associates, has this isolated focus. Councilman Phil Rorty said the proposed ordinance would take the pressure off residential neighborhoods, protecting residents from late night noise and from the general parking crunch. The draft ordinance prepared by Sneickus, but not introduced by the borough council, would amend Chapter 85 of the borough’s zoning code, deleting restaurants as permit- ted uses in the GB general business districts. The proposed draft ordinance would also amend the requirements pertaining to permitted conditional uses. In the case of restaurants, the following conditional uses would apply: “A restaurant shall not be located on a lot that is contiguous or adjacent to a single family residential zone. “A restaurant shall be located on a minimum lot area of not less than 10,000 square feet and shall be computed within 110 feet of the front street lot line. “A restaurant shall be located on a lot that contains the minimum amount of off-street parking space required by borough requirements.” If this ordinance is introduced, the borough clerk would be required to give the Bergen County Planning Board (continued on page 22) Bring A Coffee And Walk Your Winter Blues Away In Our 55,000 Sq. Ft. Enclosed Greenhouse Open to the Public Get your planting ideas early – before the big rush. *Joaillier Accessories non-sale items with this ad. 20 off % Great Mother’s Day Gifts! Fashion Jewelry Boutique Featuring Trend-Setting 85 Airmont Ave • Mahwah, NJ 07430 201-529-2595 • secorfarms.com Secor Farms 196 E. Ridgewood Avenue • Ridgewood, NJ 07450 next to Warner Theater Tel: 201-857-3585 | Fax: 201-443-1345 Joaillierllc@gmail.com Outside is now open. 4-27-11 joan/janine SecorFarmsSpring3x3(4-27-11) 3 x 3” Rev1 Our outdoor furniture shop is now fully stocked N! RY IrÊ HURffe *O pires ex /1/11 5 Spring specials available now for a limited time only. Call Robin at 973-636-7000 10% off all 2011 5-piece sets, Up to 50% off last year’s sets OUTDOOR FURNITURE skibarn.com and free local delivery*