Attorneys Spar Over Stop & Shop Expansion Plan in Westfield SP
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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, July 18, 2013 OUR 123rd YEAR – ISSUE NO. 29-2013 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SEVENTY FIVE CENTS Attorneys Spar Over Stop & Shop BEFORE Expansion Plan in Westfield By LAUREN S. BARR Ronald Gasiorowski of Gasiorowski 2.8-acre site.” Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and Holobinko in Red Bank is rep- Board Chairman Vince Wilt said, WESTFIELD – Cross-examina- resenting objector James Hughes “He didn’t answer it the way you tion of Stop & Shop’s professional of Massachusetts Street. wanted him to…he did answer it.” planner continued and the objec- Cross-examination of Daniel “He answered it evasively,” Mr. tors put on their first witness at McSweeney was conducted by Mr. Gasiorowski responded. Tuesday night’s Westfield Planning Gasiorowski for over two hours, Mr. Gasiorowski also sought an- Board meeting regarding Stop & which at times became contentious swers to questions regarding the Shop’s application for expansion and repetitive. height and length of the retaining of its Elm Street location. At issue were Mr. Gasiorowski’s and sound walls, but it was deemed The company plans to demolish questions regarding the percentage that those questions were more two office buildings at 203 and 195 of the increase in the store’s square geared toward Stop & Shop’s sound Elm Street to enlarge the parking footage. Mr. McSweeney testified expert, who testified before Mr. area and increase the store’s square that due to the elimination of the Gasiorowski was the attorney rep- footage from 35,426 square feet to square footage of the two office resenting Mr. Hughes. 53,555 square feet. buildings being torn down, the “I don’t think it’s fair to the plan- Attorney Howard Geneslaw of 18,000-square-foot increase of the ner, I don’t think it’s fair to the the Gibbons firm in Newark is rep- grocery store represents a “net loss board,” Mr. Wilt said of his ques- resenting Stop & Shop, while of building square footage on the tioning. When it came to Stop & Shop’s plan to eliminate one of the existing driveways, instead allowing for two driveways which would both allow ingress and egress from the parking lot, Mr. Gasiorowski said the plan AFTER was returning to the design that existed in the store’s 1983 applica- Courtesy of Sarah Tremallo, Evergreen Partners, Inc. tion to the planning board. NEW LOOK...Stop & Shop is hoping to be approved for a complete “make-over” at its Elm Street store in Westfield. The “You’re testifying as if you’re a company plans to demolish two office buildings at 203 and 195 Elm Street to enlarge the parking area and increase the store’s traffic engineer,” Mr. Wilt said. square footage from 35,426 square feet to 53,555 square feet. Mr. McSweeney said the current plan, “is significantly different from both the 1983 and the 1999 plan.” SP Council OK’s Smoking Ban Engineer Charles Rush testified on behalf of the objector. Offered into exhibit was a rendering of a 20- foot retaining wall with a six-foot- Amidst Disputes Over Radio Station tall person standing next to it. A By FRED T. ROSSI the ban, which exempts the Scotch Michael Marcus noted that other retaining wall already exists along Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Hills Country Club and also creates a towns with similar smoking bans in- the Stop & Shop property line where SCOTCH PLAINS — Amidst a yet-to-be designated area for smok- clude fines in the $25 to $100 range. Susan M. Dougherty for The Westfield Leader it backs to the Chelmsford Condo- meeting dominated by disputes over ers outside the municipal building. Donna Drummond, a representative SWEET SOUNDS...The Christine Spero Group perfroms in front of the Turning miniums on Prospect Street; a new the location of the joint emergency As it currently stands, fines of up to from Tobacco-Free for New Jersey, Point Restaurant in downtown Westfield on Tuesday night as part of the Sweet retaining wall is being proposed for radio station and reimbursements for $1,000 could be handed down by the an anti-smoking group, told the coun- Sounds Downtown Jazz Festival. construction along the existing wall the purchase of that station’s license, municipal judge, but Councilman CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 and the applicant is seeking a vari- as well as a verbal tussle between ance for less than the required 10- Mayor Kevin Glover and Deputy Rene Dierkes Sworn In; foot setback from the property line. Mayor Colleen Gialanella, the town- MS Bd. Turns Down Building Another drawing was offered by ship council on Tuesday approved an Mr. Rush, which showed an alter- ordinance banning smoking at mu- Levi Cory House Discussed nate plan for parking with the re- nicipal parks and ballfields. At Mountain and New Prov. By DOMINIC A. LAGANO repairs to senior citizens’ residences. By DELL SIMEONE Andrew Hetfield House. taining wall at the required 10-foot The 5-0 vote came after some dis- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Specially Written for The Westfield Leader The council next passed a resolution setback, no expansion of the store, cussion about the level of fines that The developer wished to erect a MOUNTAINSIDE — During its awarding a contract for snow and ice CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 would be meted out to violators of MOUNTAINSIDE – Don Don 6,000-square-foot commercial build- regular public meeting Tuesday night, removal in the borough to Robert La Realty, the developer of the corner ing on the corner of a busy intersec- the Mountainside Borough Council Ferrara Construction, based out of property occupied by the Levi Cory tion at Mountain Avenue and New officially welcomed new council mem- Flanders. The contract will expire in Cranford Comm. Rescinds historic house at the intersection of Providence Road. Both are county ber Rene Dierkes. Mr. Dierkes replaced 2016. Mountain Avenue and New Provi- roads and are conduits to and from Jeffrey Wass, who resigned last month. The borough also awarded a con- dence Road, was denied preliminary Route 22. The developer was hoping Mountainside Mayor Paul Mirabelli tract to the Rogers Group, LLC, for Public Vote on Charter Study and final site-plan approval from the to attract a retail tenant(s) for either a proffered the oath for Councilman consulting services relating to assisting By JULIA QUELLER said she believes Cranford residents borough planning board last Thurs- food store, a bank or a small restau- Dierkes, who was accompanied by his the Mountainside Police Department Specially Written for The Westfield Leader should have the right to vote yes or no day. rant. wife, Wei Dierkes. At its conclusion, in securing accreditation through the CRANFORD — The Cranford to forming the commission. The Levi Cory house is scheduled Greg Meese, an attorney represent- Mayor Mirabelli stated, “I want to New Jersey State Association of Chiefs Township Committee has decided not “The November 5th vote is not about to be moved on Saturday, August 24, ing Tim and Diane Drew, who live welcome Rene. I know he’s going to do of Police (NJSACOP). The accredita- to go forward with the formation of a changing our form of government. It’s across Route 22 to Constitution Plaza, next door to the property at 427 New a fantastic job.” tion will reduce the costs of insurance charter study commission to examine to gage whether our residents want to and put next to the borough’s Providence Road, challenged the va- The council subsequently passed premiums for the police department, new forms of government. pursue it or put it to rest,” Ms. O’Connor firehouse and the historic Deacon CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 several resolutions at the meeting, saving the borough capital. After a public hearing at Tuesday’s said. “How could we ask people to vote among them one that authorized a The next resolution passed by the committee meeting that lasted over an for us, but deny them a vote on such an shared-services agreement with the council authorized the Mountainside hour, with many residents voicing their important issue?” County of Union regarding the Com- Restoration Committee, Inc.’s applica- opinions and committee members de- Rita Labrutto, of Arlington Road, munity Development Block Grant tion for the Preserve Union County bating among themselves, the commit- also noted residents’ ability to exercise (CDBG). The CDBG is a federal pro- Grant for the purpose of relocation of tee rescinded an ordinance that pro- their vote, citing recent elections in gram conducted through the U.S. De- the Levi Cory House. The Levi Cory vided voters with a referendum to es- which they have demonstrated their partment of Housing and Urban Devel- House, built circa 1818, was the origi- tablish the charter study. opinion. opment that provides grants for pro- nal home of Children’s Specialized The result was a 3-2 vote, with Mayor However, Ms. Labrutto said, “I be- grams such as a senior citizen transport Hospital. Thomas Hannen in the majority. Dur- lieve if you’re going to put something program and a senior citizen handy- Mayor Mirabelli informed the pub- ing the public hearing portion of the on the ballot as important as changing man program, which subsidizes simple CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 meeting, residents presented mixed our government that you really need to sentiments. invest, unfortunately, money to also Mary O’Connor of Elm Street, who educate the public as to exactly what is running for the township committee, they’re voting on.” This is not the first time an evaluation of Cranford’s form of government has Correction been proposed.