Paramus Park Presents Movie Theater Plans

Paramus Park Mall plans to use previously approved expansion space for a movie theater and restaurant.

The mall returned to the Zoning Board Thursday night five years after previously receiving approval to expand by about 88,000 square feet with plans to use all of that space for a movie theater with stadium seating and a restaurant.

Due to time constraints Thursday night, only a brief presentation of the plans were given which included a rundown of the plans from the project's engineer and architect.

A movie theater is permitted use in the zone, pointed out Stuart Liebman, the applicant's attorney. However the applicant seeks relief of the condition set by the zoning board back in 2008 in order to use all the expansion for non-retail. The condition had called for only 50 percent to be used for non-retail.

"We think this [movie theater] is something that would be really good for Paramus, as well as for Paramus Park," stated Liebman. He stated at one time there were five theaters in Paramus and now there is just the AMC at Garden State Plaza.

The mall also seeks a variance for building height which according to Navid Naqami, project architect, is due to the projection and stadium seating of the theater which would be housed on the second story of building. The lower story would house parking and restaurant space.

A parking variance is also needed as 5,039 spaces are required and 4,445 are proposed.

The hearing on the plans will continue at the Thursday, May 23 meeting at 7:30 p.m.

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