CVS Revises Plan, Will Remove Fewer Trees
The application for a CVS on the corner of Pascack Road and Washington Avenue continued this week.
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The team behind a proposed CVS in Washington Township has reduced the number of trees they want to remove from the site from 85 to 62.
David Caruso, the engineer for the proposed CVS on the corner of Pascack Road and Washington Avenue, testified about modified landscaping plans during a meeting of the Washington Township Zoning Board this week. According to Caruso, there are currently 143 trees on the residential properties where First Hartford Realty has planned to put the 14,769-square-foot pharmacy. Of the trees proposed for removal, 11 are already dead or dying and another four will only have to be removed if a county plan to widen the road is carried out, Caruso said.
Residents have criticized the plan for removing too many trees from the site, where trees have already been removed since the homes have been vacant. According to Caruso, eight trees were removed from the site since a survey was performed last September. James Kourgelis, who owns the site via a limited liability corporation, has also been accused of violating the township's tree ordinance by allegedly removing 12 other trees from his properties previously. Kourgelis potentially faces thousands of dollars in fines.
After Caruso finished giving his testimony, attorney Tendai Richards cross-examined him on behalf of the Northgate Condominium Association. Richards asked Caruso about the trees and the soil on the site. According to Caruso, some of the trees that are planned to be kept will still need to be temporarily removed while work is done. Fill soil that was previously used on the site will need to be removed because it is not compact enought to build on, Caruso said. After it is removed, the soil will be brought back one layer at a time and stamped down to ensure it can support the weight of the CVS.
The hearing will continue at the zoning board's May 15 meeting if there is enough time after a vote on Sky Trading's proposal for a new gas station and convenience store, or at the June meeting if there is not enough time. The next expert to testify will be a traffic engineer.
B@B
1:07 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
What difference does it make? They've already killed the trees.
Diane Dorman
1:25 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
What has happened to the turkey who was there, I don't see it now?
James Leggate
1:28 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Diane- the turkey was briefly removed and treated for an infection. It's back in the township, but I've been told it's been spotted further down Pascack Road by the YJCC. You can read more about it here: http://patch.com/A-r6Q6
rozette
7:41 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Who cares about the trees we don't need any more retail stores at a busy intersection. We need wider turning lanes and left and right turning signals. I don't care if Washington Township needs more tax money. Washington Township needs someone to see about the excess traffic at the intersection.
Jeffrey Tammen
8:52 am on Monday, May 14, 2012
If the township mayor and council with the effort of the zoning board allow five star and seasons to do what is planned it would be a detriment to our community. Before anything is done they should clean up the lots and businesses and show good faith towards the residents who have to live in and around this garbage dump.shame on the governing body for not stepping up to the plate and demand it be cleaned up.apparently we work for them or maybe we should not worry about the planes over head and tackle some issues that could be fixed.it makes you wonder what side they are on.this town is beautiful and it needs lots of help if the mayor can't achieve this well maybe she should move aside and allow residents who can.