March 14, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 15 Vista variance hearing continues in township by John Koster The Christian Health Care Center is now before the Wyckoff Board of Adjustment, seeking a variance to permit construction of its proposed Vista project, which would include 172 independent senior housing units in Wyckoff and another 86 in Hawthorne. The board is now considering whether the need for senior housing justifies the requested zoning change from single-family residential to condominium housing. Several residents have expressed their concerns regarding the CHCC’s plan, and many believe this particular project is too large for the community. At the last meeting, Peter Steck, the expert retained by those who object to the project, asserted that a zone change to accommodate the large number of residents is not in the best interests of zoning and planning or of the neighborhood. Residents will be invited to provide individual statements, but observers believe that at least two or three more meetings, including the March 12 session, will be necessary to cover technical and legal issues before residents can take the floor. The Vista project, with its 258 units of supported independent care housing, would include a wellness center, a pool, exercise rooms, a spa, auditorium, library, craft rooms, and retail shops. The facility would also have formal and informal dining rooms. The CHCC’s main facility is located on a campus with access from Sicomac Avenue and Mountain Avenue. While many residents would like to have the option of staying in Wyckoff when they are unable to maintain their own homes, others believe the proposed 258-unit independent care unit is simply too large for the campus or the community. CHCC now offers three levels of care for seniors: independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing. The independent living facility that now exists includes 71 apartments, 90 units of assisted living, and 300 skilled nursing beds. Research conducted by the Matura Group, a market research and consulting firm that focuses on the needs of senior citizens, reportedly indicates an unfulfilled need in the region. The Holland Christian Home in North Haledon and Cedar Crest in Pequannock offer similar services, but other facilities are located farther away in West Caldwell, Denville, and North Bergen. CHCC has 78 acres of land on site, with 62 in Wyckoff and 18 in Hawthorne. The project, if approved, would cover about 20 acres. The plan calls for a three-story building including the 258 units. The center proposes to spare as many trees as possible and to replace trees that must be cut down. The center says that, due to drainage work, runoff would be reduced. The center anticipates a relatively low impact on traffic because most of the residents will be in their upper 70s or 80s, and whatever driving they do is not expected to impact rush hour traffic. The center also believes that the impact on taxes would be favorable for Wyckoff and Hawthorne because people in their 70s or 80s will shop locally and not impact the school systems.