BY JOHN SNYDER
OF PASCACK PRESS
WESTWOOD, N.J.—The Borough Council resolved to spend up to $5,000 to pay for its attorney, planner, and engineer to review plans for a Wendy’s restaurant eyed for the Emerson side of the town line.
At the meeting of the governing body on Sept. 4, the council said speaking up as an interested party was the right thing to do for its residents who live across the street from the project and are protesting variance requests.
“Just because you can build it doesn’t mean you should,” said Council President Chris Montana following the meeting.
He explained that the Wendy’s, eyed for the ShopRite plaza at 411 Old Hook Road, presented problems that had Westwood residents rightfully worried about their quality of life.
A restaurant is a permitted use for the site, which draws cars and pedestrians. Residents on the Westwood side are concerned about worsened traffic, pedestrian dangers, light pollution, late-night noise, fumes, and inadequate parking.
The application calls for the demolition of a vacant two-story bank building and erects a one-story Wendy’s with outdoor seating, two-lane (one window) drive thru, 2 a.m. closing, and an entrance and exits at the back of the property for access to the rest of the plaza.
A parking variance and sign variances (size, location, and quantity) also are sought.
Residents complained at the project’s Aug. 15 initial hearing at the Emerson Land Use Board, at the Aug. 21 meeting of the Westwood Borough Council, and in a protest in front of their homes Aug. 25, with the bank building across the street drawing the eye from the bustle of the plaza behind it.
The application, brought by Leon Magnes, CEO of Wenesco Emerson LLC of Englewood Cliffs, will return to the Emerson Land Use Board for a second hearing Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. It had been set for late last week but was rescheduled, LUB Chair Gary Schwinder told Pascack Press on Sept. 4, because the applicant is rethinking the proposal based on feedback dating to its first hearing.
“The only reason they could be postponing is to take a new look at their plans. I doubt they’re going to come in with the same plan, sans any change. I’m sure that whoever is making the changes is aware of the local publicity, thanks to you, regarding the application,” Schwinder said.
On Aug. 21, Luam Qualliu, of 178 Bergenline Ave., emphasized how angry he was that the project seemed to be sailing through uncontested by Westwood, waved off the suggestion of hiring a lawyer, and urged Birkner to intervene.
He got a round of applause from his neighbors when he finished speaking.
Birkner told the residents he supported their objections, would review the traffic plan, and would attend the next LUB hearing to weigh in on variances.
He and other council members spoke up at the Aug. 25 street protest.
Main Street resident John Sambogna took to the microphone at the Sept. 4 public comment period to thank the mayor and council for their vote to pay borough professionals to review the plans.
“I know you all were planning to attend the meeting but by putting Russ [Borough Attorney Russell Huntington] on this also shows that Westwood has got the backs of the residents and has skin in the game by applying his knowledge to stop this Wendy’s from going through or at least coming up with some sort of compromise,” he said
He added, “I just want to commend the council and I know I can speak for all the neighbors over there: We thank you very much for this helping hand.”
Emerson Mayor Louis J. Lamatina told Pascack Press on Aug. 22 that he had recused himself from the matter by statute because the applicant has requested variances.
“The mayor and councilmember on the Land Use Board, which is a combined board of planning and zoning, is not permitted to vote on use variances because such variances are appealable to the Mayor and Council,” he said.
Carmine Alampi, attorney for the applicant, did not return a call seeking comment.
RELATED:
• Hearing on protested Wendy’s moved to Oct. 18
• Residents slam Wendy’s proposal at Old Hook, Main
