Impact of Hekemian Development on Community

Michael Dipple, Hekemian's engineering expert and principal of L2A Land Design in Englewood, returned to answer questions that centered on noise pollution and flooding posed by members of New Milford SOD (Stop Over Development) and residents of Bergenfield and Oradell. 

SOD Environmental Chair, John Rutledge, questioned Dipple about the level of noise that the construction site will generate over the course of the approximately two years the project will take to complete. Specifically, Rutledge wanted to know what the effect of the noise would be on the high school students who will be seated only 80 feet away from the residential portion of the development. 

Dipple said that although the sequence of construction has not been planned as of yet, the noise would be "typical construction noise that will be confined to the site."

"It's not a quantifiable question, but I don't think anyone will be displaced," Dipple said. 

When questioned by SOD Executive Director, Miriam Pickett, about whether the noise of the proposed 70,500 sq. ft. supermarket's compactors will adhere to the municipal noise ordinance (no machinery before 7am and after 10pm) Dipple said that the trash compactors may run before 7 am and after 10 pm, but it would comply with the state standards for noise.    

Dipple clarified that the compactors are fully enclosed and that the trash goes in from inside the store where it's compacted and picked up by a truck that carts it away. 

A large part of the questioning was reserved for flooding. When questioned by SOD members Anna Leone and Ulises Cabrera about the validity of relying on a DEP flood map from 1980, Dipple responded that the 1980 map is the state regulatory map and the one that he is required to use in determining his calculations.

"If a state map is available we are required to use it," Dipple said.

Throughout the questioning Dipple said he relied on the 1980 state map because that is the one he is beholden to until the state updates it. When asked what his position was on whether the flooding has had an impact on the property he responded, "There are strict rules about developing on the 'flood fringe' and that is why a flood hazard area permit must be obtained."

He further explained that under New Jersey state law, if there is any physical disturbance to any area near the flood zone the developer is subject to regulations and needs a flood hazard area permit, before construction can proceed.  

Dipple said the site is engineered for a 100 year storm event, meaning that the site is designed to handle 8.3" water in a 24-hour period.

When questioned by members of SOD and the general public about flooding, Dipple responded that although he agrees that overdevelopment may have played a part in exacerbating flooding in residential areas, he believes that since the storm water management rule was issued in 2004, people have been educated and have enacted laws. 

Columbia Street resident Sharon Hillmer questioned Dipple as to whether the water detention drains will increase the amount of runoff into the river. Dipple responded that there can't be an increase because the state requires him to lower it.

Dipple added that the borough of New Milford, along with the Bergen County Utilities Authority and the state, have to sign off on sewage plans for sanitary and storm water drainage. 

The next regular meeting of the Zoning Board will be held on Monday, August 14.

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