November 2, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 19 Referendum (continued from page 11) feet of additional office development in several 25-story buildings, which would generate new traffic to the area and pronounced traffic impacts during weekday morning and evening commuting hours, while the proposed development of retail in one-story buildings would largely draw from existing area traffic that is traveling to and from the Paramus area for shopping trips. Mall opponents are skeptical of the traffic study because it was prepared by the developer. They believe the study is flawed because it does not take into account the secondary roads affected in Mahwah and it used an outdated traffic model that is no longer used by NJDOT, which is the reason the Village of Suffern has filed a lawsuit against the township. The opponents claim the mall would not only create traffic problems on Route 17, but also on many of the interior roads in the township because motorists will seek alternate routes to avoid traffic on Route 17, which they claim is already backed up at peak evening travel times. They say increased traffic will create more traffic violations and accidents, which will place an increased strain on police and emergency services, and may require additional public safety personnel. The developer maintains that the storm water management design for the Crossroads site has been developed to meet or exceed New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s storm water rules. The design uses several management approaches to meet NJDEP requirements for peak flow reduction and treatment. For instance, the developer claims there would be bio-retention swales to treat parking lot runoff and promote ground water infiltration in the pedestrian oriented development, dedicated detention basins in each area, and storm water treatment using a combination of mechanical filtration and sand filter/infiltration basin for the big box retail uses. The developed storm water basin design exceeds the NJDEP required peak flow reductions. In addition, the developer claims the NJDEP requires the following reductions of peak flow in the proposed condition compared to existing condition: 50 percent for the two-year storm, 25 percent for the 10-year storm, and 20 percent for the 100-year storm. The basin design reportedly provides a minimum of 20 percent over these standards. As a result, the developer maintains that the proposed design would significantly reduce peak flow from the site, lessening the impact on the Ramapo River and downstream communities. The opponents claim that flooding is a very large issue for the residents of that part of the township as evidenced by the flooding that occurred as a result of Hurricane Irene. They claim the sympathy expressed by the mayor and council for residents who lost their homes due to that flooding is pointless if they endorse a project such as the mall that would exacerbate the flooding problem. The opponents also point out that flooding was not an issue for the residents, until large areas of land were turned into impervious surface, which would be increased by the mall. The developer claims retail is the best use of this property for Mahwah because the proposed development would take 100 acres of an underused potential ratable and creates a tax benefit without burdening the school system and other government services, and this development would eliminate potential development that could be adverse to the community. Mall opponents claim the development would bring increased shoplifting, car thefts, burglaries, and robberies. In addition, the opponents claim the mall is likely to expand in the future. They also say the increased crime would flood the township’s municipal court with additional cases. Proponents say the proposal affirms the following goals, objectives, and policies of the township master plan, including preservation of the environment, improved quantity and availability of parks and open space, and the improvement of traffic circulation and safety throughout Mahwah. Moreover, the developer says it is committed to spend a minimum of $6,000,000 in off-site improvements to be identified by the NJDOT and the township. Opponents claim the development is not consistent with the current master plan, which calls for office and hotel space only on the site with accessory retail use. They point out that the property was rezoned to office use in September when the township council repealed the ordinances adopted in March to rezone the property to retail use. Mahwah Daisy Scouts bridge the gap Mahwah Daisy Girl Scout Troop 4039 bridged to Brownies in a special ceremony held at Lenape Meadows Elementary School. The girls, pictured on the ceremonial bridge, are excited to embark on the next phase of Girl Scouting.