February 20, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Midland Park Formal testimony closed in front of the Midland Park Board of Adjustment last week on Baseline Associates’ application to develop the property previously occupied by Valley National Bank on Franklin Avenue. With only closing statements and public comment remaining, the board may vote on the proposal at its March 13 meeting. The applicant’s engineer, Andrew Missey of Lapatka Associates, summarized changes made to the site plan through the four months of hearings which he said will make the proposal better blend in with the neighboring properties and also reduced the number of variances required. The site is in a B-1 zone but abuts the single-family residential zone to the east. The easternmost building was shifted 6 ½ ft away from the residential zone and back from Franklin Avenue, creating a greater distance from the adjoining residence and still maintaining a 50 ft. distance from the houses on Vreeland Avenue which abut the property. Additionally, since the existing beauty salon located on the front property line will be eliminated, the driveway between the two proposed buildings will be centered, moving ingress and egress farther away from the residential zone. The retaining wall around the property will be tiered, diminishing its visual impact and allowing for greater use of shrubs and trees. The existing evergreen buffer to the rear of the property will be maintained and the buffer further enhanced with plantings above the high tier of the retaining wall. Baseline’s proposal calls for two nearly identical buildings on the nearly 1-acre lot. The first floor of each building would have three commercial units and garage space two vehicles or storage, and the second floor would contain three, two-bedroom apartments featuring modern kitchens, central air and outdoor decks. The buildings would be 38-ft. and 37-ft in height, which triggers a height variance for which five affirmative board Site changes will blend better, engineer testifies votes would be needed. Borough ordinances allow a 30-ft. height. Parking will be provided for 34 cars, with five additional spaces not developed so as to provide enhanced landscaping in the front yard and allow keeping an existing large tree. Board members questioned whether parking inside the two proposed garages could be considered in the calculations, given that a vehicle in the driveway would encumber access. The board’s planner noted that the problem would be internal among the tenants and should not affect the public. No retail or medical offices will be permitted, thus reducing the pressure for parking. The applicant and the board disagreed on the actual square footage of the buildings but Missey said he had worked from the architect’s figures and he would get further assurances. In either case, he said, the building size would be as approved by the board. The Midland Park Board of Education is seeking nominations for the fifth set of inductees into the Education Hall of Fame. Established in 2008 to recognize the key contributions made by past staff members of the Midland Park School District, the hall of fame is open to all former Midland Park employees who have been retired at least three full years prior to their nominations and made significant contributions to the improvement of the school system in their own special ways over at least a five-year period of employment. Individuals nominated should be those whose past contributions are still well-recalled, very evident, and much appreciated. A nomination requires the submission of at least two separate letters endorsing the person’s candidacy. The letters should focus on the ways that the nominee made Education Hall of Fame nominees sought a special contribution to the school system during his/her time of active association with the district. Nominations should be at least one page in length, but can be longer. Nominations must be submitted by March 3. No more than three individuals will be selected for membership in the hall of fame each year. The winners will be announced at a board of education meeting in April, and their portraits will be placed in the Hallway of Fame at the high school. Past recipients have included Jerry Thomas, the late Jack Cogger, Athletic Director Adolph “Sonny” Santorine, Music Director Gordon MacDonald, Ted Sawey and Don Nolan. Nominations should be sent to: Office of the Superintendent of Schools, 250 Prospect Street, Midland Park, NJ 07432. Midland Park Recreation will host a spring art program for children in kindergarten through grade five. KidzArt Imagine will meet on March 7, 14, 21, and 28, April 4, 18, and 25, and May 2 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the DePhillip’s Spring art program offered for children Center, 50 Dairy Street in Midland Park. The cost for the session is $120. For details, visit www.mpnj.com/rec or call Kathy LaMonte at (201) 652-2747 or mprec@optonline.net.