Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • September 19, 2012 Mahwah Burgis explains master plan to board and public by Frank J. McMahon A professional planner who was contracted to develop an updated master plan for the Township of Mahwah presented the final version of that plan to the planning board and the public last week. Professional planner Joseph Burgis told the planning board and about 20 members of the public that the updated plan involved about two-and-a-half years of work and was the subject of about 20 public meetings to ensure the updated plan reflected the concerns of the municipality. He said the new plan respects much of the existing development pattern in the township and calls for the preservation of the rural character of the larger tracts of land on the west side of the township while, at the same time, enhancing the more developed eastern side of Mahwah. Burgis identified four areas where the zoning should be studied by the township. Those areas include the zoning of the GI-80 industrial zoned area on Leighton Place due to the evolving nature of that industrial area; the business, industrial, and office park zoning of the Route 17 area from Route I-287 to Macarthur Boulevard, where improved landscaping and a unified theme are recommended; the Franklin Turnpike area from the New York border to King Street, where a more centralized business area, pedestrian walkways, and more landscaping are recommended; and the narrow lots on Ramapo Valley Road.He added that the master plan does not recommend many changes to residential areas because they are already set and developed. Burgis emphasized that the master plan discourages flag lots and big box retail stores and continues to recommend an office park zoning for the Crossroads property on Route 17 at the International Sheraton Hotel. That 140-acre property is the subject of a pending planning board application. A developer is seeking approval of a 600,000 square foot retail center based on the retail zoning of the site that was approved for the site on March 31, 2011 and which was in effect when the developer submitted plans for the site before that zoning was repealed. The master plan contains zoning recommendations for The Mahwah Council’s continuing delay in taking action on a proposed amendment to the township’s sign ordinance is causing concern among the candidates in this November’s mayoral and council elections. The council has been considering an amendment since May when Mayor William Laforet recommended it in order to prohibit the proliferation of political signs along Macarthur Boulevard during elections, especially this year when there will be elections on the national, state, county, and local levels. The ordinance would eliminate the provision in the current sign ordinance that permits the council to approve applications for the posting of temporary signs on public property and in the public rights of way. That would result in a total ban on temporary signs in the rights of way and on public property, including signs posted by Realtors and charitable organizations. At the council’s last public meeting, council candidate Steven Sbarra agreed with Councilman Roy Larson’s suggestion to table any action on the ordinance until January Candidates concerned about signs the Fardale area near Franklin Lakes, the Ridge Road and Macarthur Boulevard area, and the Ridge Road area north of Darlington Avenue. Burgis advised that the master plan also contains the sustainability goals of reducing water use, improving transit options, creating compact communities, and energy efficiency. It also lists about 220 historic sites that have been (continued on page 20) so the 2012 election does not affect the governing body’s action. Sbarra told the council all the candidates need some clarity on the issue. He emphasized that signs need to be ordered and that time is critical because the candidates need to make decisions quickly as they try to put together a campaign. Council President John Spiech pointed out that, if no action is taken on the new ordinance, the current ordinance, which already prohibits all temporary signs on public property and in the public rights of way without council permission, would remain in effect, although it has not been enforced in the past. Spiech told the council that Mahwah Township Attorney Andrew Fede would research the possibility of prohibiting signs on Macarthur Boulevard only on the basis of the safety hazard they create, but he urged the council to decide what it wants to do about the new ordinance. After a brief discussion about the impact of the sign (continued on page 20)