Mahwah February 20, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 9 Zoning board approves martial arts school’s move by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Zoning Board of Adjustment has approved a use variance for the Shido-kan Karate of Mahwah Asian martial arts school to move its operation from a location in the MacArthur Ridge Plaza shopping center at 300 Ridge Road to the adjacent Ramapo Centre shopping center on Macarthur Boulevard. In addition to karate, the martial arts school offers other fitness methods and will house the Ma Yoga and Meditation studio, which will occupy part of the premises formerly occupied by the Prime Time Child at the Club day care center. Attorney Barry Cohen represented Mitchell Cooperman at the public hearing. Cooperman, a two-time national AAU Kobudo Champion, is the owner and chief instructor at the martial arts school. The public hearing was required because Mahwah Zoning Officer Gary Montroy determined that the CB360 community business zone in which the Ramapo Centre is located did not permit schools. Therefore, a use variance was required from the zoning board. Cohen elicited testimony from architect Richard Davidson that the martial arts school now occupies about 2,000 square feet at MacArthur Ridge Plaza and will occupy 4,900 square feet at Ramapo Centre, both of which are located at the intersection of Macarthur Boulevard and Ridge Road. He said the martial arts school space will be separated from an adjacent nail salon by a sheetrock and steel stud wall but, at the suggestion of Zoning Board Chairman Charles Rabolli, he stipulated that the wall would be insulated to eliminate any noise impact on the nail salon. Davidson also explained that the outdoor playground behind the building is not part of the martial arts school space. Board member Joseph Larson asked if the ceiling tiles are soundproof. Davidson said they are not, but there are no low walls except a railing between the waiting area and the karate studio, and he said sound would not carry over from tenant to tenant. Zoning Board Attorney Ben Cascio asked about the parking available for the school. Davidson advised that there is more parking available at this location and, while some parents stay to watch their children at the school, the students are under the driving age, which limits the number of parking spaces required. Cooperman explained that he currently has 160 karate students and, while he expects that enrollment will increase, he does not anticipate any parking problems at this new site. He said his school will operate from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. The plan for the school depicts a 512 square foot yoga studio, a 1,273 square foot karate studio, a 744 square foot mat room, and a 486 square foot multi-purpose room, a waiting area, three changing rooms, two restrooms, and an office along with an entry area, a waiting room, hallways, and two bathrooms. Strong finish for Lazer Gymnast Jasmine Lazer, age 10, of Mahwah, finished in second place at the Level 4 State Gymnastics Championships. The meet was held recebtkt at Virtual Total Turf in Pitman, New Jersey and was hosted by Cherry Hill Gymnastics. Lazer trains at U.S. Gymnastics in Mahwah.