TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—Dairy Queen is returning to Washington Town Center with an anticipated opening in November.
According to franchise owner Ulus “Lou” Tasoz of Paramus, his location at the long-vacant 257-B Pascack Road, between Loyalty Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Pho Miu Vietnamese Restaurant, puts it in the perfect place to serve movie lovers heading to and from Washington Township Cinemas.
Tasoz told the Planning Board on July 24 that his 1,500- square-foot site will have seating for 10 and will serve ice cream (and Orange Julius) only: there is no brazier, so no food.
The board seemed clearly pleased to have the brand set up shop in the township. Member Tom Sears took a fair amount of good-natured ribbing for his enthusiasm.
Board engineer Paul Azzolina, running through the usual questions for site plan approval, ended up asking Tasoz only to revise his proposed sign a few inches shorter to conform to code. Tasoz said he’d be happy to do that.
A remodel will be carried out to Dairy Queen corporate standards, which Tasoz called state of the art.
A smaller DQ left the mall some time ago, leaving its sign gracing a vacant storefront.
Tasoz told Pascack Press he’s eager to partner with the movie theater, and with schools on fundraisers, and will see how else he can add to the life of the community.
He’s 100% owner, and will manage the store himself. He has two other DQs: one he purchased three years ago in Allendale and one he purchased 14 years ago in Rochelle Park.
The board sent Tasoz off with their congratulations and best wishes for success. Member Arthur Cumming added, “Good luck. Take good care of our children.”
Toro replaces Golick
This was a first vote on the board for member Said Toro, sworn in at the top of the meeting by Mayor Peter Calamari. Toro also serves on the Zoning Board. He replaces veteran member Bernard Golick, who resigned effective July 1 after 40 years of distinguished service.
Golick, whose term was to end Dec. 31, 2021, will be honored with a plaque at an upcoming Township Council meeting, Calamari said.
Sears critical as Viviano bails on latest meeting
The meeting had been scheduled as a special meeting to hear from developers in the Viviano project, the proposed subdivision at 463 Van Emburgh Ave., but the applicant requested to withdraw from the agenda.
Before the meeting ended, Sears moved that presenters for the late James A. Viviano and his assigns attend regular Planning Board meetings.
“This meeting was was supposed to be for Viviano. It’s been consistent with them for not showing up or pushing the meeting off. I am making a motion before this board that they attend the regular Planning Board meetings,” Sears said.
He added, “I feel enough is enough. We all have lives to live. We can’t be catering strictly to one individual person in this township—or developer.”
He said, “I know we bend backwards to help people but Viviano’s been consistent. I move we no longer extend any special meetings for them.”
Board chair Brian Murphy agreed with the sentiment, then noted that the meeting was a makeup session after the board cancelled its late June meeting, which Viviano had been scheduled to attend.
Mayor Peter Calamari said, “Before we vote on that officially I’d like to say the prior chairman [August Calamari], who everybody knows is my dad, through the years he’s always said to me on Viviano that part of the settlement—I don’t know how much of the settlement is in effect or not—part of it is that he was guaranteed special meetings at their discretion.”
Sears countered, “They got their special meetings; they got their court date. The judge gave them their request. They won their case; that’s over with. This is new.”
Calamari told his former town council colleague and running mate, “I can’t say that with certainty but if you feel you can, Tom…”
Board attorney Lou Lamatina, the immediate past mayor of Emerson, put in that in his borough applicants can have their business heard at special meetings if they pay a fee.
The board then briefly speculated on why Viviano hadn’t given more notice for withdrawing from the meeting, referring to the death, in spring, of initial applicant James A. Viviano, and to a letter or letters evidently in ongoing legal matters.
They decided it was inappropriate to pursue that in open session. They also suggested it was unfair to discuss without the developer being present to give its side.
Sears’ motion will be reintroduced at the next meeting of the Planning Board, “whether they’re here or not,” Calamari said.
Viviano’s American Dream Estates would develop on 14.32 acres between Van Emburgh Avenue and the Garden State Parkway.
Viviano, 96, died May 10. His children Nancylu Mannuccia, Rosanne Caldarise, Anita Pfefferkorn, and Thomas J. Viviano— along with “James A. Viviano (deceased)”—seek 48 single-family homes, 25 townhomes, and a commons with a private road, two public roads, parking areas, and a detention basin.
It is not clear that the application moving forward has been vetted with regard to applicants’ names.
Hearings on the project go back to 2002. The township and Viviano settled litigation related to the Mount Laurel Doctrine for affordable housing in 2001, and then the property was zoned for single-family homes and townhouses. There is no affordable housing planned at the site.
The week before the July 24 special meeting, resident Diane Grimaldi posted, “Please come out to the meeting … to support the residents around the proposed development and the entire town to make sure the developer does everything needed to make sure the property is developed responsibly with the least amount of negative impact to current residents.”
Neighbors have retained Beattie Padovano in the matter.
Members also advised the public attend the next meeting, July 31 at 7:30 p.m., for a hearing on the Master Plan.