November 19, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Midland Park Board rejects Stafford Glass building proposal Midland Park Auto Body will not be able to convert the vacant Stafford Glass build- ing at 168 Godwin Avenue into an ancillary use for the adjacent body shop. The Midland Park Board of Adjustment last week voted 5 to 2 to deny the applica- tion it has been considering for over a year. A last-minute color rendering of the pro- posed building façade failed to convince board members that the proposed use was appropriate for the commercial location in the center of the borough’s main thorough- fare. In presenting the proposed rendering, architect Anne Petrocci of Ramsey said her goal had been to provide the building “with an image consistent with what the board wants the community to move towards.” She proposed a federal/colonial style simi- lar to V&S Floor Covering down the street, which she said she had designed several years ago. She said details were added to create a better proportion, including cor- nices over the windows which would follow the slope of the land, a uniform parapet for consistent building height, shutters and an umbrella canopy over the main entrance. The front would have been brick veneer wrapping a few feet around the corners, after which the exposed walls would have been painted stucco. Landscaping would wrap around the corners as well, and the fence on both sides of the building would have been replaced with solid-panel vinyl fencing. Richard Wostbrock, the board’s engi- neer, commended the applicant for adding a second entrance and ADA ramp at the south side of the building to provide access to back office space. “The ramp provides some separation between the walkers and the cars, but I’m still concerned about the circulation,” Wostbrock said. Board member Doug Feick, who sup- ported the application, noted that the appli- cant had made substantial changes to the application since it was first filed and said there is a need to have a balance of busi- nesses in town. “The aesthetic changes are significant, but they are not enough to overcome the lack of special reasons for a use variance,” sum- marized board Chairman Linda Herlihy in casting her negative vote. “Your testimony was not persuasive. There was no attempt to make the site work, to delete the existing non-conforming use and give reasons,” she told the applicant. “You made a concerted effort to improve the look, but it didn’t rise to the level to overcome the issues unresolved,” agreed board member Dan Brennan. Pat Mahoney of Van Blarcom Avenue asked the board whether it had considered the noise that would emanate from a pro- posed generator. He said that he presently hears noise from the auto body shop. Applicant Warren Struz proposed to use the entire storefront for offices and storage to maintain the aesthetic appearance. The rear section of the building would have been used as a motor vehicle repair shop to (continued on page 15) ASB conducts Food Drive During the month of November, Atlantic Stewardship Bank is conducting its annual Food Drive throughout all of its branches. This is no ordinary Thanksgiving collec- tion; it is a drive with a mission to replenish the food pantry reserves that are depleted by the Thanksgiving holiday. All month long, both customers and bank associates are asked to fill the baskets with non-perishable food items. High-pro- tein foods such as canned tuna, beef stew, ravioli, baked beans, and peanut butter are always in short supply at the food pantries, as are coffee, tea, soup, and sugar. The pantries also mentioned that there are two items that are often overlooked and always in high demand: baby food and health care items. The bank will be collecting food items through Nov. 26. The food will be distrib- uted to local pantries the following week. This year’s beneficiaries include the Social Service Organization of Ridgewood; Center for Food Action in Englewood; CUMAC, Star of Hope Ministries, and Oasis: A Haven for Women & Children in Paterson; the Pequannock Township Food Pantry; Harvest Outreach Ministries in Paterson; Westwood Cares; and New Hope Minis- tries in Haledon. “The pantries are very grateful to receive donations in early December because it helps to replenish their shelves that have been depleted by the Thanksgiving holi- day,” said Tonni von Schaumburg, the bank’s assistant vice president of marketing. “With the generosity of our customers and associates, we are able to help restock the local food pantries for the holiday season.” Atlantic Stewardship Bank, a subsid- iary of Stewardship Financial Corporation, maintains banking locations in Hawthorne (two offices), Midland Park, Montville, North Haledon, Pequannock, Ridgewood, Waldwick, Wayne (two offices), Westwood, and Wyckoff. Established in 1985, ASB is a full-service community bank serving both individuals and businesses.