Wyckoff October 3, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Many residents in favor of ShopRite application by John Koster Several Wyckoff residents turned out last week to voice their support of the proposed development of a ShopRite supermarket in the township. The meeting was the final public comment session on this application, which could be decided on Nov. 26. For over 18 months, the Wyckoff Planning Board has been hearing expert testimony on behalf of the applicant, Inserra Supermarkets, and opposing testimony from experts representing the owners of the adjacent Boulder Run Shopping Center and its tenant, Stop & Shop. Wyckoff’s experts have also presented their own findings. Plans call for a 62,042-square-foot structure to replace a building that currently occupies the site. The 53,500-square-foot building at the corner of Greenwood and Wyckoff Avenues formerly housed an A&P and an adjoining Walgreen’s. The property has been vacant for more than 10 years, leaving the structure and existing 431 parking spaces in a state of disrepair. Inserra Supermarkets became the long-term ground lessee of the 7.6-acre site in 2009. Last week’s hearing marked the second time that members of the public were allowed to speak in the series of hearings otherwise dominated by attorneys, professional planners, and engineers. Consensus was stronger than it was at the first public meeting, with most residents supporting the ShopRite application. “For years we have been given the runaround by Stop & Shop...There is no reason to delay allowing ShopRite from opening on this property,” said Kathy Marsico, one of the dozen speakers who supported the application. “I ask the residents to joint me in a boycott of the Stop & Shop store and I ask the press to publicize this boycott.” Dennis Putis opposed construction of the proposed new ShopRite. He said, “There is going to be unbelievable traffic... I don’t think we need it.” One or two other residents, including George Pittis and Nicole Moody, asked for specific details but were not opposed to construction. The overwhelming majority of residents who spoke agreed on three principal points: the use is legitimate, the empty A&P lot is an eyesore, and the objectors have been using stall tactics that waste taxpayers’ money for experts. Charles Zisa, an attorney who has lived and practiced in Wyckoff since 1973, said the lot had been used as a supermarket for many years before A&P closed. Zisa said that his father, who had been a salesman working with supermarkets for many years, told him that ShopRite was the best of the area supermarkets and that the Inserra (continued on page 19) The Wyckoff Township Committee has approved a new dog-walking zone for pet lovers who are willing to pick up after their pooches. The vote, taken at last week’s meeting, added the paved and improved portion of the public right of way that serves as access and parking for the Memorial Field Complex, but does not permit dog walking on the adjacent fields. The area is defined as extending from Woodland Avenue in a westerly direction and ending at the intersection of Demarest Avenue and Jeffer Court. The previous ordinance permitted dog walking only in the portion of Wyckoff Community Park between Wyckoff Avenue Dog-walking zone approved and the edge of the parking lot near the recreation field, including the parking lot, and the outdoor areas of the Larkin House. Dog walkers were required to pick up after their dogs in both areas. Otherwise, only registered Seeing Eye dogs were permitted in these areas. In other business, the township committee noted that the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve had agreed to a comprehensive fee of $1,000 for the use of the Larkin House. The organization further agreed that Wyckoff residents could receive boating safety courses for $35 instead of the $90 charged to other registrants as a consideration. J. KOSTER