CVS Impact Would Be 'Imperceptible,' Engineer Says

Building a proposed CVS would increase the wait for drivers at the intersection of Pascack Road and Washington Avenue by less than a second if an intersection improvement were completed, according to traffic engineer Gary Dean.

Dean, an expert testifying on behalf of applicant First Hartford Realty, previously said the intersection improvement would help traffic run more smoothly through the busy crossroads. At the previous hearing, board members asked Dean what impact the improvement would have if the proposed CVS were not built.

"The impact of CVS would be imperceptible," Dean answered Tuesday.

According to Dean, the average delay at the improved intersection would be 28.5 seconds without the CVS. The delay would be 29.3 seconds with the CVS, Dean said. 

Board members still had concerns about the plan with the possible impact a 14,500-square-foot store could have on the residential neighborhood.

"It changes the atmosphere of a residential community," board Chairman William Johnson said.

Another potential issue is that the intersection improvement may never even happen. Washington Township Mayor Janet Sobkowicz previously said she would not sign a contract with the county allowing the improvement — which would involve widening the intersection with more turning lanes — to happen.

"All this data is for nought," board member Laura Merkle said.

The intersection improvement relies on the CVS plan, as well as the plan for 5 Star Gas which was approved earlier this year, being approved because the applicants both offered to donate a piece of their land to the county for the project, on the condition that their plans were approved.

Board attorney Donna Baboulis said the board could require the improvement happen as a condition of approval, but Carmine Alampi, the attorney representing the applicant, said that the board would be overstepping its authority to require a condition beyond the applicant's control.

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