Politics & Government

Bloomfield Ave. Proposal Meeting Postponed by Verona Zoning Board

The Verona Zoning Board of Adjustment will reconvene on Thursday, February 14 to continue a hearing on a mixed retail and residential property designed for 176 and 200 Bloomfield Ave.

Verona residents, who were expecting a decision from the Verona Zoning Board of Adjustment regarding a mixed retail and residential property for Bloomfield Ave., will have to wait a bit longer.

It seemed a decision might finally be reached Thursday night, but because of personal reasons, the developer's attorney Alan Trembulak was unable to attend the meeting.

The Board will continue the hearing during a special meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Monday, February 11.

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The next regularly scheduled meeting fell on Valentines Day and may have ticked off a few spouse's and significant others while also causing potential problems for residents who wished to testify.

Verona residents have shown opposition to the application since the beginning, even creating a Facebook page “Verona Against Blasting and Overdevelopment,” which has more than 500 members.

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The group’s concerns include the size of the building, the impact demolition blasting could have on their homes and foundations, as well as the impact of parking, traffic and the safety surrounding Everett field.

Montclair Avenue residents Lars and Kathy Sternas have sought legal representation from attorney John Dusinberre to oppose the development.

“It is what it is,” said Lars before the meeting convened. “They quite possibly could have reached a decision tonight but next time people will get a chance to voice their opinions.”

The Board has been hearing testimony on behalf of developer DMH2 LLC since June 2011 and was ready to hear testimony from Community Planning Consultant Peter Steck as an expert witness on behalf of the opposition.

The application calls for a three-story building for 176 and 200 Bloomfield Ave. with retail businesses on the first floor and residential apartments on the second and third floors. Two parking lots would also be included in the front and rear of the building.

“I'm concerned about noise, drilling, heavy machinery, and sirens going off before and after the blasting,” said Sternas at a previous meeting. “Our utilities can be shut off at any time without notice and this will go on again and again for months.”

Verona residents will have to wait another month until they will be able to testify.


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