August 7, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Franklin Lakes Borough planners mull Franklin Avenue study by Frank J. McMahon This week (Aug. 7), the Franklin Lakes Planning Board is expected to comment on a study of the Franklin Avenue corridor, or business district. The comprehensive study, which contains numerous photos and maps, was prepared by the borough’s profes- sional planner Elizabeth McManus and was presented to the board on July 17. The study includes an analysis of existing conditions, environmental constraints, land use and character, zoning, previous planning efforts, the Franklin Lakes business district sanitary sewer project, the opportunities and constraints of the area, and several recommendations. Members of the public will be provided with an oppor- tunity to provide input at the Aug. 7 public meeting. McManus notes that Franklin Avenue traverses the Borough of Franklin Lakes in a generally northwest to southeast route. It is a 5.8-mile long Bergen County road that serves Franklin Lakes, the Borough of Oakland to the west, and the Township of Wyckoff and the Borough of Waldwick to the east. The portion of the road in Franklin Lakes is 2.1 miles in length. The study was prompted by the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority’s installation of a public sewer along much of Franklin Avenue, the borough’s primary commercial corridor, and the area surrounding it. McMa- nus said the installation will offer a unique opportunity for redevelopment and revitalization. The connection to the public sewer infrastructure, according to McManus, will allow for land currently used for septic systems to be repurposed for other uses and may create opportunities for additional development intensity. McManus described Franklin Avenue as the borough’s core business district, which is centrally located in the municipality and contains many of the borough’s retail shops, services, restaurants, and offices. She said the boundaries of the business district largely correspond to the retail business zone district, which encompasses the frontage lots and some additional lots along Frank- lin Avenue generally between Circle Avenue and Pulis Avenue. Single-family residential districts are located at the eastern and western ends of the area. “Despite the concentration of retail shops, services, restaurants, and offices, Franklin Avenue does not have a strong sense of place,” McManus told the board, “or serve as a social and informal gathering place for the commu- nity.” She added, “This study evaluates how the addi- War Eagles soar tion of sewer service and other borough actions can be harnessed to enhance the aesthetics and function of the Franklin Avenue corridor and how it can, therefore, better contribute to quality of life in the borough.” (continued on page 39) The 2013 Franklin Lakes War Eagles Baseball Team recently completed the regular season with a 23-6 record and a 7-6 victory over Washington Township in the North Jersey Suburban Baseball League’s Championship game. Front row: Ryan Ayala, Bobby Steinberg, Jacob Miller, and Nick Casaleggio. Middle row: JR Woods, Matt Wingfield, Grant Cotugno, Raj Sharma, Anthony Valvano, AJ Wingfield, and David Byrnes. Back row: Coaches Rob Miller, Dave Byrnes, Ralph Valvano, and Andy Wingfield. Not pictured: Cory Gorczycki.