Dave Kaplan was out early on a Sunday morning with his son Tyler, walking through the snow to area neighbors with flyers and signs from the group “Don’t Rezone Waterview.” The group is spreading the word regarding the proposed overlay zone on the existing planned office development (POD) that is being proposed for the 132-acre tract currently zoned for offices on Waterview Boulevard and Route 46. RD Realty brought before the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board application No. 12-524 for a concept plan to develop the last undeveloped parcel of 26.6 acres in the Waterview tract but the “Overlay Zone” must be approved to do so.
This tract would include a 137,000 square foot department store (rumored to be a Target); a 40,000 square foot Whole Foods (the company has a lease signed contingent on approvals) a 13,000 square foot convenient store (also rumored to be with a gas station) and 72 unit townhomes. It was presented the townhomes are two- and three-bedrooms with a selling price estimated between $450,000 to $500,000.
A survey of Target stores in New Jersey show store hours Monday – Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., although there were some stores open til 11:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, while the Whole Food store in Madison is open seven days a week 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Kaplan’s back yard is directly behind the proposed complex. Kaplan states “Our number one concern is protecting our way of life and property values. There is absolutely no point to a supposed increase in ratables when the values of the homes in the area drop.” With the proposed 50-foot buffer, you will clearly see the complex from Intervale Road. At a recent Planning Board meeting, Scott Hoffman, a Parsippany resident, stated “scoffed at the utility of a 50 foot or 75 foot buffer, using his experience at his own home involving an office building currently standing near the proposed 27 acres on Waterview Plaza, “From November through March, I see the building clear as day with a buffer of 200 feet,” he insisted. “Explain how people are not supposed to see the development with a smaller buffer than I have.”
The next meeting to discuss the Waterview project will be held at Parsippany High School, 309 Baldwin Road at 7:30 p.m. on February 11. Kaplan urges all Parsippany residents to attend this meeting. In a recent study done by Mountain Lakes Environmental Commission it was calculated using the ITE Trip Generation Report, 7th edition 2003, the proposed development can be estimated to generate over 23,00 daily trips per day.
For more information on the group or to donate to help with legal fees visit dontrezonewaterview.com.
