Worked Up Over Proposed Gym

Multiple residents at the Planning Board meeting on protested the construction of a new fitness center on the northbound side of Route 17.

When the hearing continues Thursday, they will return to make sure their objections are not forgotten.

Claiming the proposed two-story, 30,000-square-foot fitness center added to the existing structure formerly occupied by Pearl Paint will exceed noise and privacy violations and compromise quality of life, some nearby residents could not hide their urgency.

“We’re completely losing our privacy,” Behzap Yeganeh told board members.

Yeganeh, who lives on Oliver Road directly behind the proposed structure, is most concerned about visibility into his home from the second floor of the gym.

In addition to the fitness center, plans outlined by engineer Daniel Lamoht include redesigning the parking lot to make it bigger and include the cul-de-sac portion of Sunflower Road, updating the draining system and removing a one-way driveway.

Though a larger parking lot means more parking spaces for the fitness center it also means a decreased buffer zone between the site and residents’ homes, an overriding concern for nearby residents.

“Quality of life will be compromised,” said Edward Barret, who lives on Oliver Road. “Houses behind the building will now have headlights shining into their backyard and back rooms. There will be an increase in pollution, the air quality can’t be good with so many cars.”

Stephen Sinisi, representing developer Laganella Property Management, called on a number of witnesses at the Aug. 19 meeting including an architect, a landscape architect, an engineer and traffic engineer to assure residents the gym will not negatively impact their lives.

Landscape architect Scott Koenig said an array of strategically placed canopy trees will block vision from the building into residential homes. 

“I don’t have a concern there will be an inappropriate visual access into residential houses,” Koenig said. Koenig added the combination of trees and buffer space is enough to adequately shield residential homes from noise and light.

Sinisi also confirmed that in his opinion, the proposal is compliant with sight plan ordinances.

Barret=t remains unconvinced.

In addition to his initial concerns, Barret also believes the existing problem of individuals using surrounding backyards as a shortcut to other businesses on Route 17 will be exacerbated if the buffer zone is reduced.

Two members of the Planning Board, Michael Blitzstein and Richard Wagner sympathized with residents’ concerns.

Blitzstein suggested the applicant look at the concept of a fence denser than the already-established chain-link fence along the perimeter of the properties that exist onsite. Wagner proposed eliminating parking spaces to allow a larger buffer area.

“My concern is protection for the residents there—I would hope the developer would like to be a good neighbor to these residents,” Blitzstein said.

Board members also suggested the applicant rent an already-established portion of existing retail space and expand the building on the first level only. The suggestion appeared to be an acceptable solution to residents, but did not generate a clear response from the applicant.

“It seems like a logical way to proceed,” Barret said. “Why build up when you have so much empty space already sitting there? It seems perfectly reasonable but the applicant did not comment on it.”

Richard Cacciatore, also of Oliver Road, said neighbors are getting together to sign a petition against construction of the gym. The petition will be presented to the Council and other appropriate village administrators.

“Are we going to be a residential town or a commercial district? You can’t let these people do whatever they want. Sure, the landlord wants to fill space with a tenant, but what about us?” Cacciatore said.

Before the project can go forward the planning board must grant several variances. But residents won’t make the board’s decision easy.

“As residents, we think it’s horrible that [the developer] is trying to put up a two-story wall that will face these houses, that will be lit up and will definitely impact our quality of life,” Barret said.

Residents are prepared to appear at the Planning Board meeting and fight: “I’ll be there, as will a lot of other people from the area,” Barret said.

The Planning Board meets at 7 p.m. in Borough Hall.