May 29, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Franklin Lakes Planners approve Temple Emanuel subdivision by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Planning Board has approved Temple Emanuel of North Jersey’s subdivision application and three related variances. The board’s action will allow the subdivision of a 15.7-acre property at the corner of Colonial Road and McCoy Road into two lots. The subdivision will create a new, residential 52,025 square foot lot on which the temple plans to construct a residence for its rabbi. The board’s approval included variances for the disturbance of all three steep slope categories in the borough’s zoning ordinance. Several conditions were part of the approval. The temple must construct the proposed dwelling according to the approved plan, maintain a fence delineating the limit of disturbance area during construction, comply with all the requirements of the Bergen County Soil Conservation District, and maintain an escrow of at least $5,000 to cover the cost of the borough’s professional fees. In addition, the temple must comply with the policies of the planning board and shade tree commission regarding shade tree protection, including the installation of fencing with a radius of six feet from a tree trunk of all trees located within the limit of disturbance. The new dwelling will have a basement and attached garage, a front porch and walkway, a rear yard deck, and a single access driveway from McCoy Road with a garage access turnaround area. The lot will be served by a new well and septic system with drainage piped to a catch basin on McCoy Road. A three foot, 10 inch retaining wall will be constructed on the site to limit the amount of disturbance on the site. The borough has signed a $2 million contract with Temple Emanuel of North Jersey, which is currently located on High Mountain Road, to purchase the balance of this property owned by the temple. The temple congregation purchased the property about 15 years ago and planned to build a temple on the 15.7-acre site. That plan was denied by the zoning board of adjustment after a public hearing that lasted for 31 meetings of the board, but that denial was reversed in Superior Court. A revised plan was ultimately approved by the zoning board, but the temple was never built. The borough was motivated to purchase the site when the state indicated its intention to seize any money that had been in the municipality’s affordable housing trust fund for a period of four years or more, or since 2008, unless that money had been committed for the purpose of constructing affordable housing. The purchase also settled an objection by the temple to the borough’s 2008 housing plan, which did not include this property for affordable housing. The borough now plans to have affordable housing for people with special needs built on the site using the money that was subject to seizure by the state. Library announces programs The Franklin Lakes Public Library, located at 470 DeKorte Drive, has planned a variety of programs for adults. The programs are free. Seats are on available on a “first-come” basis. On Wednesday, May 29, learn about the benefits of homeopathy when Bob Lukasik presents “Homeopathy: Treating Like with Like -- How Homeopathy Can Help You.” Lukasik, a clinical nutritionist, is employed at Millers Pharmacy in Wyckoff. The program begins at 7 p.m. Join Mark Stevens, a photographer from Ridgewood, as he shares images from his travels in Paris. “A Visit to Paris: Versailles, Giverny, and More” will be held at 7 p.m. on June 5. On June 6, Franklin Lakes author Melissa Canter will discuss her new novel, “Going Public: Wall Street through the Eyes of a Woman. The book is a tale of a woman brave enough to enter the male domain of Wall Street. Canter, a motivational speaker, life coach, and teacher will share her writing and life experiences, and end the evening with a book signing. This program will begin at 7 p.m. Mike Luipersbeck and his trio will perform on Sunday, June 9 at 2 p.m. The program will include jazz, Broadway, and American pop of ‘50s and ‘60s. Vocals will be provided by Corinn Somers. On June 11, PC teacher Betsy Coyne will present a digital photography class. Coyne will share information about transferring and organizing photos. The class will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and registration is required. To register for the programs, call the adult reference desk at (201) 891-2224.