No Decision On Rt. 23 Mixed Use Application

WAYNE, NJ — The Board of Adjustment did not vote Wednesday on a controversial application for a 232-unit apartment, restaurant and retail complex on Route 23 South.

Galreh LLC's application brought the application before the board more than a year ago. The development would have luxury apartments, 13,000 square feet of retail space and a restaurant. The property is located in a floodplain and borders Pompton Plains and Sandra Lane in Wayne.

The application was carried to the Sept. 18 meeting where Galreh's lawyer, Mark Semararo, and Stuart Lieberman, a lawyer several Sandra Lane residents hired to represent their interests, are expected to give closing arguments. Board Chairman William Van Gieson said the board would vote on the application after closing arguments are presented.

Sandra Lane residents are concerned that the development would increase area traffic, noise, flooding and the school population. Several testified against the project at the meeting. One man urged the board to "use common sense and deny the application."

A few people testified in favor of it, with one man saying that the development would not cause more flooding for people who already live in a floodplain."

Semararo previously said that the applicant has developed a stormwater management plan to reduce floodwater runoff by 29, 46 and 56 percent, respectively, on 100-, 10- and two-year floodwater plan.

Of the 232 units, 112 would be one-bedroom, 116 two-bedroom and four studios. Twenty-three would be affordably-priced.

Galreh said that, at most, 17 children would be added to the Wayne Public School District if the apartments are filled to capacity. That projection is based on a Rutgers University study.

Galreh has unsuccessfully tried to develop the property since 2008. The owner of nearby Wayne Hyundai tried to purchase it some years ago, but the deal never happened. The dealership is located across the property and stores vehicles on it.

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