Cedar Grove Officials Put Brakes on Banquet Hall

Updated at 1 p.m.

Cedar Grove Construction Code Official John D'Ascensio has withdrawn the certificate of occupancy for The Grove banquet hall, remanding it back to the Planning Board for further review, Township Manager Thomas Tucci said at Monday night's public Township Council meeting.

The revocation came just three days resulted in a lane closure on both sides of Pompton Avenue, and the posting of two police officers to safely direct patrons across the state highway on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

The Council has intervened twice on behalf of neighbors of The Grove, in April when overflow parking resulted in long lines of cars on nearby side streets, and again in July, when neighbors complained about in the early morning hours on weekends.

Tucci said that Police Chief Richard Vanderstreet has issued a series of recommendations to limit parking on the streets affected by overflow parking at the 700-seat capacity catering facility, which is located on Pompton Avenue at the former site of the Friar Tuck Inn.

Vanderstreet said Tuesday he could not discuss the specific recommendations, but Tucci cited among them limiting parking on one side of Brunswick Road, Little Falls Road, Young Avenue and Cedar Grove Parkway. However, the governing body said they wanted to hear from residents of the affected streets before proceeding.

Vanderstreet said his recommendations were based on concerns for residents' safety in the event of an emergency.

"The recommendations were the result of ongoing parking issues generating from The Grove," Vanderstreet said.

"We've faced situations with parking on both sides of certain streets, making it extremely difficult if not impossible for two vehicles to pass abreast, essentially creating a tunnel effect which could be serious in the event of an emergency."

Vanderstreet also said The Grove was billed $443.16 for six hours of police overtime incurred when two officers closed down two lanes of traffic on Pompton Avenue and helped pedestrians safely cross the highway.

Regarding functions already scheduled to take place at The Grove, Tucci said the facility "is not supposed to operate" while the withdrawal is in effect, and said its owners could face legal trouble if they continue to host events.

"We want The Grove to succeed, but we must also protect the quality of life for residents," he said.

Tucci said he did not know when the matter would be appearing before the Planning Board.

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