Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, November 27, 2003 Published Every Thursday Since 1890 OUR 114th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 12-114 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] FIFTY CENTS WF Planning Board OK’s Wolfgang Puck for Elm St. By KIMBERLY A. BROADWELL too thought the vacant bank was an during their time in the downtown Specially Written for The Westfield Leader eyesore and that she felt it would area of Westfield. In a seven to two vote, the Westfield help increase the walking traffic on Those opposed to the application Planning Board approved with con- Elm Street for the local business were Planning Board members, An- ditions the proposal to turn the va- owners. thony LaPorta and William Ziff, who cant bank at One Elm Street into a Sherry Cronin, Executive Director both voted against the project. Both Wolfgang Puck Express Restaurant. of the Downtown Westfield Corpo- members thought that the restaurant The applicants, Limited Liability ration (DWC) also spoke regarding would only make a bad traffic prob- Company (LLC), plan to convert the the new restaurant stating that she lem in the area even worse. building to a Wolfgang Puck Express thought the business would help pe- Richard Schkolnick, Esq. of Hersh, Restaurant on the first floor with destrian traffic flow. Ramsey and Berman, who were rep- commercial offices on the second. She also noted that she serves on resenting a group of downtown Conditions of the approval include the Parking Advisory Committee and Westfield restaurant owners opposed restriction that if the Wolfgang Puck that parking has been a long-stand- to the proposal citing parking issues, Restaurant does not work out, a “fast- ing problem in Westfield, stating that also had a traffic expert to testify. food” restaurant cannot be put in its the first Westfield Parking Report Michael Chasin, a professional place, a deed restriction for any fu- that she read was written in 1961. planner and traffic engineer, testi- ture building owners that they can- She also spoke in favor of the park fied that Westfield “already had a not turn the restaurant into a “fast- area that owner, Mr. Berlandt had major parking problem” and that food” business and an implementa- proposed at the two prior meetings. granting variance relief for the appli- tion of a Traffic Control Plan and a Mr. Berlandt explained last month cant not to have to provide the 95 Pedestrian Safety Plan proposed by that plans submitted included a pro- spaces required would make the the applicant’s Traffic Consultant, posal to take the existing parking lot shortfall even greater. Gary Dean. of the building and put in a patio with Mr. Chasin stated that he thought In addition, conditions of the ap- a gazebo and trees, shrubs and potted the bank would be better suited as proval state that the second floor plants. This, Mr. Berlandt stated, another type of business that required Jeff Siegel for The Westfield Leader access to the office buildings be DECISIONS DECISIONS…Students and parents met with representatives from colleges around the country during would “dress up an ugly parking lot.” fewer parking spaces. college night at Westfield High School on Thursday evening. deemed as an emergency exit only, He testified that it would be a public He also testified that he was con- the applicant work with the Town place for people to sit and relax CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Engineer’s office to put in pedestrian crosswalk striping and a further con- Westfield’s Tree Preservation dition that if the PNC Bank parking lot becomes available, it not be ex- WF Council to Continue clusive to only patrons of the Wolfgang Puck Restaurant. Ordinance and Fines Reviewed Last week, Mitchell Berlandt, Discussing Turf Field managing member of the LLC and By LAUREN S. PASS ning Board requires a tree preserva- Fines shall be no more than $500 Specially Written for The Westfield Leader co-owner of the building since April tion plan be submitted as a condition shall be assessed per tree, per day, or of 2001, testified that he is currently At Conservation Center Westfield’s tree preservation ordi- to its approval of an application, the a penalty of 30 days in county jail in negotiations with the PNC Bank nance not only establishes the Tree approval of the three preservation can be assessed. After that trees must on Prospect Street to buy the build- By LAUREN S. PASS Shackamaxon Drive between Preservation Commission to assist Specially Written for The Westfield Leader plan by the code enforcement officer be replaced and each must be at least ing, lease the first floor only back to Rahway and Westfield Avenues the Planning Board, but also sets out or Town Engineer, as the case may four feet above the ground and have the bank and use the parking for the The Westfield Town Council held (north side only), Rahway Avenue requirements for tree removal. be, shall be a condition that is the a Diameter Breast Height (DBH) of proposed restaurant on evenings and its regular conference session on (Westfield High School side only), A tree removal permit is required subject of the tree preservation plan. one half of the tree that was removed. weekends. Tuesday night, after press time. Dorian Road between Trinity Place when a property is being developed The town engineer or code enforce- Or the violator can contribute the He had stated that this would also The council was scheduled to dis- and Westfield Avenue (south side and requires a subdivision or site plan ment officer shall consult with the amount of money necessary to pur- give him access to the parking lot on cuss several issues including rede- only) and Codding Road (only on approval. A permit is also required tree preservation commission in con- chase and plant replacement trees. East Broad Street across from PNC. velopment project negotiations, the the side of the National Guard Ar- when a vacant piece of land, or subdi- nection with the approval of the tree The ordinance also sets out the This, he concluded, would give the proposed turf field and drainage prob- mory). vidable property is being worked on; preservation plan.” functions of the commission. They restaurant 44 available parking spaces lems related to Orenda Circle. These restrictions will be in effect The council will be discussing and there is a clause for if 50 percent Though the commission may make are to work with the code enforce- during the weekend and evening on Monday through Friday (school of the trees were removed within a recommendations, the Planning ment officer in reviewing all appli- possible locations for the proposed days) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours. turf field, including the Conserva- three year period. It also applies where Board is not bound by their report. cations and make recommendations The Westfield Board of Education Planning Board Chairman Jay tion Center and Area 51. During pre- a structure is being demolished. If an application is approved and to the planning board for removal Boyle stated that he voted in favor of gave the restrictions a green light The exemptions to this application vious discussions the council has been last week, when they also passed a physical changes are to be made to plans. The commission is also sup- the new restaurant and noted that Mr. split 4-4, with a councilman absent apply to commercial nurseries, prun- the plans, they must be resubmitted posed to perform on site inspections senior code of conduct. Berlandt, “from day one has been each time, on whether to move for- The council is set to vote on the ing and removal of trees by utility to the planning board for approval. of all applications before the plan- nothing but cooperative.” He noted companies, and the Town of Westfield. ward in studying the Conservation ordinance on first reading at its Tues- If, upon inspection, the plan was ning board. that Mr. Berlandt has taken great Center. A tree preservation plan is sup- day, December 2, meeting. not followed, the code enforcement In addition they are to create an care to “maintain the building as it Also on the council’s agenda was posed to be drawn up for all subdivi- The council will also discuss a officer can withhold the certificate inventory of trees on vacant land and exists” and that he was quick to the draft of the Westfield High School resolution to demolish a house at sions and those projects requiring of occupancy. They can also issue a subdividable lots. They are also to “remove the entrance at North Av- parking restrictions. site plan approvals. 1030 Coolidge Street, and detached stop work order should they find that recommend a species list to the town enue when we asked him to.” The ordinance will establish alter- garages at 654 Boulevard and 634 According to the ordinance, “in the plan is not being followed during and participate in developing tree Town Engineer Kenneth Marsh, nate side of the street parking on Fairmount Avenue. those circumstances where the plan- construction. planting plans for the town. who also voted in favor of the new several streets around the high school The governing body will also dis- business, stated that he felt the reno- including Dorian Court, Dorian Place, cuss increases in parking offense vations to the building would be an Dorian Road (between Dorian Place penalties, which raises fines for two- “enormous benefit” to the Central and Hyslip Avenue), Shadowlawn hour parking from $13 to $20.