Wayne Pingpong Facility Application Withdrawn

WAYNE, NJ - An application to develop a table tennis club in a Wayne neighborhood has been withdrawn, according to township officials.

Filed by Franklin Lakes doctor Nader Fahimi, the application proposed the development of a 27,000-square-foot Northeast Table Tennis Club on Colfax Road.

Wayne Mayor Chris Vergano confirmed that the proposal was withdrawn Friday.

In order to proceed, the zoning board would need to grant a use variance to construct the facility in a residential area. He would also need approval from the Passaic County Planning Board since Colfax Road is a county-owned street.

Fahimi’s plan called for a two-story building on a 10-acre wooded propertywith 16 ping pong tables, bleachers, locker rooms, a fitness center, a treatment room and 61 parking spaces. The proposal also called for the removal and replacement of about 70 large trees from the property.

Fahimi had previously said he hoped to attract world-class players to the facility, which would be called the Northeast Table Tennis Club.

The application drew ire from residents in the surrounding neighborhood, who expressed concerns, particularly over how the facility would affect drainage and whether it would cause flooding in the area.

The competitive pingpong facility was scheduled for further discussion and testimony before the zoning board at its Aug. 19 meeting, NorthJersey.com reported.

A reason was not given for the withdrawal, according to the report.