PLANNING BOARD FEELS PRESSURE TO APPROVE BAD PLAN FOR LACK. PLAZA.

​MONDAY NIGHT PUBLIC ATTENDANCE AND COMMENTS CAN HELP.  
Developer uses scare tactics to manipulate residents to help him get his plan approved.  **Please pass notice to others to show up Monday.  Like Us on Facebook.

The planning board sympathizes with local residents in the food desert perpetuated by the developer and feels pressure to approve a plan which allows almost half the required parking for this over sized market, retail and office site and destroy parts of a valued historic landmark,  based on unsubstantiated claims from this developer who says that this is what any supermarket wants.  

In contrast a supermarket design expert explained that this is not necessarily the case.  This expert said a smaller attractive market using the train station intact would draw more customers,  have the required parking and be more aligned with grocer industry trends.   There are  supermarket companies who pride themselves in building within converted buildings to enhance the shopping experience. 

The town has been held hostage by the developer since the Pathmark closed in 2015 and he did not allow any temporary market at the site.   Local town Facebook sites such as Secret Montclair are used by this developer to manipulate the neighboring residents to help him get approval for his plan by stating " if you want a supermarket come to the January 14 meeting."  

In reality, the town stipulates a supermarket be part of the development and according to the developer the project is years away.  Efforts  are best spent asking the Mayor and Counsel to insist that the developer finally allow a temporary food market and to propose a new and reasonable plan for our downtown. 

Everyone wants a supermarket but more residents need to speak out for a development which enhances the downtown neighborhood and a market which will stay open in a fast changing grocery industry.

This Monday, January 14 at 7:30 in the town hall, the Planning Board is expected to hear final testimonies from professionals objecting to the developer's current plan and then have the public comment period before the Planning Board votes.  During the last meeting professionals offered alternatives which provided a plan with safer and more accessible pedestrian access, dividing the parking and traffic flow and a offered an attractive alternative market using and not disturbing historic assets. 

Planning board members take direction and ultimately vote based on legalities and zoning regulations as well as information from various sources including consulting professionals, town officials and developers and residents. Public comment is when residents can offer valuable insight with relevant professional knowledge or specific concerns about how the plan will affect them. 

For more history and details of the Lackawanna Plaza proposal see further notices below on this page.

***Please pass on to others to come Monday and speak out. Like us on Facebook.