May 18, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Mahwah Planner offers advice on Chai Lifeline variance by Frank J. McMahon Mahwah Township Planner Joseph Burgis recently provided the zoning board of adjustment with some professional guidance about Chai Lifeline’s use variance application. His testimony elicited an immediate challenge by William Smith, the attorney for an objecting neighbor. Chai Lifeline, a Jewish non-profit charitable organization, is seeking a variance to continue to use a single family house in a residential zone on Ramapo Valley Road as a short term respite for families of children with cancer and other genetic diseases, and for grieving widows. The property, which was donated to the non-profit in 2007, is located at the rear of an eight-lot subdivision and is accessed by a single private road that leads from a dual driveway access from Ramapo Valley Road. The site has an in-ground pool and access to the Ramapo River. Burgis told the board that, according to the state’s land use law, Chai Lifeline needs special reasons to obtain a use variance by showing either that the use is inherently beneficial or that the site is particularly suited for the use. He explained that, if the board finds the use inherently beneficial, it must determine if the use presents a substantial detriment to the public good or an impairment to the township’s zoning plan. He said “substantial” is the key word in making that determination. If the board finds the site to be particularly suited for the use, a different standard must be used, which would require Chai Lifeline to provide a more enhanced burden of proof. Burgis reviewed and evaluated the testimony of the professional planners who provided arguments for and against the use variance. He noted that the applicant’s planner, Matthew Jakubowski, argued that the use is inherently beneficial based on the social services the use provides as a benefit to children and widows and, while the occupancy of the house would change every few days, the day-to-day impact would be the same as one family living there all year. Burgis said that planner also testified there would be a modest amount of traffic generated by the use, and Burgis said he found that the number of vehicle trips at the site would be no different than the standard identified by the Institute of Transportation Engineers manual for usual residential use. Burgis suggested several conditions that could be imposed if the variance were granted, such as limiting the use to one family with a maximum of 10 people, (continued on page 19) For That Special Event ��� ��������������� ��������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������� Starting early ���� The students at Pinnacle Learning Center in Mahwah recently celebrated Earth Day. ������ �������������������������������� ��������������� ������������ See our website for coupons-������������������������ �������������������������������������������������������������������� It’s time to plant. Come visit our ����������������������������� 55,000 sq. ft. enclosed greenhouse! ��������������������� Open to the Public Many hanging baskets to choose from. LARGE VARIETY OF FLATS Open late Thursday & Friday 85 Airmont Ave • Mahwah, NJ 201-529-2595 • secorfarms.com Secor Farms ANNUALS & VEGETABLES Potted Perennials Eli’s Bagel 5-11-11 joan/janine SecorFarmsSpring3x3(5-11-11) 3 x 3” ���������������������������������������������������������������� Rev4 Trattoria ����������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������� ������������������������ �������������� ������������������������������������� ������������������������� ������������������������ ������������������������������������� ������������������������� ������ ������� ������� ������������ ������������������ ������������������������������������� ������������������������� ���� ����������������