Revised ShopRite Plans Submitted to Township

Revised drawings of the ShopRite proposed for Greenwood Avenue have been submitted to the township.

Inserra Supermarkets attorney James Jaworski dropped off the renderings prepared by architect Thomas V. Ashbahian today after a Design Review Board meeting prompted a redesign of plans initially submitted in the fall.

The new specifications feature several architectural flourishes that were not present on the original plans, which several Design Review Board members felt looked too much like a big box store that didn't mesh with the existing buildings in downtown Wyckoff.

"We're trying to give the board some of the things they're suggesting," said Ashbahian, a Wyckoff resident.

The architect said Inserra CEO Larry Inserra gave the team "plenty of latitude" to "break the building up" and "make it look more inviting" while still "trying to preserve the shape and integrity of the building."

The front of the 62,174-square-foot building still features a brick front, two arches and a tower, but Ashbahian's new design incorporates new details, such as four dormers on the roof. Five green awnings cover the addition of window displays to the left of the entrance that were not on the original designs.

The general look of those windows differs from the windows to the right of the entrance, which are large planes of glass broken up to appear as three-section fronts. The awnings instead cover windows broken up by lines to create the appearance of a dozen small boxes for each of the five displays.

The new design features various signage, all red. Two ShopRite signs, on the front and right side of the building, will be 32'6" x 8'0", while a medallion logo located in the front center of the building will measure 8 feet in diameter. Ashbahian's design also features "Bakery" (2'0" x 8'6") "Pharmacy" (2'0" x 12'6") "Deli" (2'0" x 12'6") and "Produce" (2'0" x 4'6") signs. 

Ashbahian also said he's incorporated asphalt shingle on all the slope roofs around the building. Additionally, the Main Street side of the planned store has been given additional attention. What was initially primarily a brick front now features four gables to make that section of the store more visually appealing to passersby. 

Design Review's recommendations were not binding, but the volunteer board, which meets on an as-needed basis, is expected to eventually submit its work to the Planning Board, which has jurisdiction over the project. If ultimately successful, Inserra will demolish the existing supermarket building and strip mall and build a ShopRite with a parking lot expected to hold more spaces than exists currently.

The submission of revised plans will trigger another meeting of the Design Review Board, although that proceeding has not yet been scheduled.

Furthermore, Inserra representatives may yet appear before the Shade Tree Commission, which had inspected the site, reviewed Inserra's landscaping plans, and made recommendations for further plantings. Shade Tree's work also exists as a recommendation to the Planning Board, which will take the information into account when it holds hearings on the project.

Ashbahian stressed that the Inserra team wants to work with the township to create a building that residents and shoppers are happy with. 

"I very much want to see this built," he said. "We believe it (revised plans) will go a long way."

A digital rendering of the redesigned ShopRite wasn't immediately available, nor was Jaworski available for additional comment.