Mahwah January 23, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 7 Board continues dialogue on master plan update by Frank J. McMahon During the most recent public hearing of the Mahwah Planning Board, one of the main concerns expressed by members of the public was that the updated master plan might permit the potential development of the B-10 zoned area between East Ramapo Avenue and King Street behind the U.S. Post Office. Those concerns included development that would bring more density to that area, making it more difficult to travel under the train tracks to get to the schools on the other side of the township. Concerns also included the potential development of a “double-decker strip mall” with residential apartments above retail shops, or a Fairway type food market or shopping mall type complex at that site, creating the traffic and congestion those types of developments would bring to that area of town. David Roberts, the township’s professional planner, explained that the current zoning for that area does not permit residences above the mixed use permitted in that zone and supermarkets are not permitted in that zone. Todd Sherer, the planning board chairman, also advised the public that all the language concerning the United Nations program known as Agenda 21 has been deleted from the master plan. During that public meeting, Joseph Burgis, the professional planner who was contracted by Mahwah in 2006 to develop an updated master plan for the township, responded to several questions that had been posed by members of the public during previous public hearings on the updated plan. Burgis did not attend the meeting, but provided a memorandum containing his responses to questions. Sherer read the memo and then permitted members of the public to continue to ask questions and make comments about the master plan. In response to a question about historic sites in the township, Burgis advised that the additional historic sites recommended by the Mahwah Historic Preservation Committee have been included in the final master plan. He also advised that the unused railroad spur that extends through the township can be identified as a bike path. He explained that the planning board voted at its last public hearing to revise the master plan to reflect that recommendation. In addition, he advised that the text of the master plan would be amended to include specific reference to the “Rails to Trails” program. Concerning bike routes along Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202) Burgis stated that the master plan can include a general state- Tidier township ment about such paths along Route 202 and county roads, but since they are not municipal roadways, the township does not have jurisdiction over those rights of way. As for identifying bikeways elsewhere in the municipality, Burgis stated that a requirement calling for private property owners to provide access easements through their property in the area beyond the rights of way presents a number of legal questions and topographical questions that may make it a difficult recommendation to implement. He suggested that idea be forwarded to the township attorney to determine municipal liability and, depending upon that determination, the master plan could be amended to include this idea at a later date. In response to a question about the zoning of the property on the north side of King Street between Franklin Turnpike and Siding Place, Burgis advised that the planning board had previously discussed changing the zoning of an 11,000 square foot lot to B-10 to be consistent with its adjoining property to the east. The final zoning map will reflect that change. Burgis stated that the plan contains a number of recommendations to enhance the township’s ratable base. For instance, the plan has refined its goals, objectives, and policy statement to clarify its underlying intent, so residents and the development community can better understand the township’s broad land use policy. He said the new master plan recommends changes in land use designations to make it easier for developers to take advantage of market conditions. He advised that the plan recommends (continued on page 14) Matthew Matos (fourth from left) of Mahwah Boy Scout Troop 50 completed his Life Project Requirement with fellow Troop 50 Scouts by cleaning up Silver Creek Pond after Hurricane Sandy.