ShopRite Height Demonstration Will Go Up Monday

Motorists traveling down Greenwood Avenue next week may see some heavy machinery at the site of the proposed ShopRite, but they need not be alarmed—it's just a demonstration.

In keeping with Planning Board requests, Inserra Supermarkets' representatives will be erecting temporary structures to illustrate the planned 62,174-square-foot building's height. Attorney James Jaworski said the demonstration will be available for all to see from approximately noon Monday to noon Thursday, with a Planning Board hearing scheduled for Wednesday evening.

Although board members initially suggested the height demonstration be accomplished by floating balloons, Inserra has gone another route.

"We're not doing balloons. They just don't work," Jaworksi said, explaining that they're too exposed to the elements, limiting the time they can be seen.

Instead, Inserra has rented bucket truck-like equipment that will be on site to demonstrate both the height of a planned clock tower, which would be the highest point of the proposed supermarket, as well as the general height of the building.

Jaworski said the compromise has been submitted to and approved by township engineer Mark DiGennaro and consulting engineer Peter Ten Kate.

Two pieces of equipment will be on the Greenwood Avenue lot for the aforementioned time period, with Planning Board members expected to stop by for a look. Mayor Rudy Boonstra had suggested the demonstration, saying board members needed a better idea of the proposed building's impact on nearby properties.

Inserra, which holds a long-term lease on the land, is proposing to demolish the existing strip mall and former A&P supermarket at the site to build the ShopRite adjacent to the Boulder Run shopping center.

After months of related hearings, testimony was heard last month at the Planning Board level, which ultimately will approve or deny the project.

Jaworski said Wednesday that architect Thomas Ashbahian will likely be the only witness called to testify next Wednesday. The Wyckoff resident opened proceedings last month.

Ashbahian's testimony came after months of related hearings before the Shade Tree Commission and Design Review Board, both of which were tapped to vet Inserra's application before the Planning Board began its review. The land-use body will ultimately decide the fate of the ShopRite, which would be built after the existing strip mall and vacant supermarket are demolished.

The architect went over the general design elements of the building, which would incorporate flourishes such as towers, arches and dormers to break up the massing in keeping with an aversion to a "big-box" store, expressed by residents and township officials alike. The all-brick building would not be built on the footprint of the former A&P structure but will be turned to almost face Greenwood Avenue, with the rear of the store visible to those on Main Street.

Inserra will need several variances in addition to site plan approval, including those for lot depth, rear-yard setbacks, parking stall size and more.

Ashbahian will likely be questioned on height, utilities and design materials at Wedneday's hearing. However, the architect is just the first of many witnesses expected to testify before the board, as Jaworski plans to submit representatives to speak on engineering, landscaping, traffic plans and other related concerns.

The public is welcome at the hearing, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Town Hall. A work session will precede the hearing at 7 p.m.