Midland Park September 26, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Stores, apartments considered for Godwin Avenue site A developer is proposing to combine two existing properties at 80 and 82 Godwin Ave. in Midland Park and develop the site as a retail/residential complex. Hackensack architect Michael Napolitan appeared in front of the planning board last week to seek informal input from board members on his client’s proposal prior to making a formal application. The combined lot is less than a half acre in size. Napolitan said the two houses would be totally refurbished and enlarged to accommodate the proposal. One of the houses has been vacant for several years and had previously been approved for development. The site is adjacent to the Commerce Register headquarters to the west. To the east is the former Stafford Glass property, which had also been vacant but was recently purchased by the owner of Midland Park Auto Body, who plans to move his office there and add a detailing component to his business. The first floor of the proposed building would have 4,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. The second floor, also proposed at 4,000 sq. ft., would feature four or five two-bedroom apartments expected to rent at market value, according to the developer, Paul Pine of Wyckoff. Napolitan said his client would likely maintain the side walls and part of the front walls of the existing buildings and would seek front and side yard variances. Board attorney Darryl Siss said parking and lot coverage variances would likely also be required. Board engineer Richard Wostbrock said drainage improvements would also be needed, and enhanced buffers to the residential zone would have to be provided. The property abuts homes on Vreeland Avenue. In other matters, the board gave its approval to the First Church of Christ, Scientist on Godwin Avenue to install a 4-ft. chain link fence along the sides of its parking lot and an emergency generator outside the back of the building. Debra Ross, the church’s house/ grounds chairwoman, said the difference in grade between the church’s parking lot and the lots of its neighbors, the Sharp Shop and the United Methodist Church, make it dangerous for people to cut through between lots. She said an opening would be left where the grade is even for access to and from the Methodist church. The mighty pen (or crayon) Midland Park first grader Corey Stein, age 5 ½ writes a letter to a member of the military serving overseas, while his sister Melanie, age 3, colors a bag to be packed with treats and toiletries as part of Highland School’s Operation Goody Bag. The program bagged 136 letters and sacks to be sent abroad!