PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council is scheduled to vote during its next general meeting on Tuesday, November 10, over a possible settlement with RD Realty, the contract purchaser of 26 acres of land known as the ‘Waterview’ tract, along Waterview Boulevard and Route 46.

In 2013, the Council voted 3-2 against creating an Overlay Zone which would have permitted a Whole Foods and another Big Box store, plus a townhouse complex on the rear of the property.

After two years of lawsuits, denied applications with the Morris County Open Space Committee, and tense negotiations, the Council is now being asked to approve a new concept plan which would permit 152,510 square feet of retail space along with 723 parking spaces.  In return for permitting the shopping center, which includes a 48,000 square foot Whole Foods Market, RD would agree to sell the rear 10.63 acre buffer to the Township for approximately $3.5 million. Funds for the purchase would be made available from Parsippany’s own Open Space Trust Fund.

Township Attorney John Inglesino, an expert with a long history in land use and redevelopment issues, successfully defended Parsippany after RD sued the Council in 2013. RD claimed that the Council had acted arbitrarily and capriciously when it voted down the original Overlay Zone. Inglesino argued that the Council was never under any obligation to ever create the overlay zone.  The court agreed and stated that RD could have applied to the Zoning Board of Adjustment to request a variance.

RD has since filed an application with the Board of Adjustment to build 120 affordable housing units on the property.  That application is scheduled to heard on Wednesday, December 2 at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.

PARSIPPANY — IHOP® restaurant, 792 Route 46,  will once again honor the 22 million Veterans currently living inthe United States and more than 1.3 million Armed Forces members currently serving in the military by offering them a free stack of Red, White & Blue pancakes on Veteran’s Day.

Parsippany IHOP will serve a stack of Red, White & Blue pancakes – buttermilk pancakes crowned with glazed strawberries, blueberry compote and whipped topping – free for Veterans and Active Duty Military on Veteran’s Day, November 11, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

“I am proud to be part of a brand that honors the brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to keeping us safe and free,” said Mo Abdelhadi, co-owner Parsippany IHOP.  “We are looking forward to having our nation’s heroes as guests at Parsippany IHOP, and personally thanking them for their service.”

Veterans and Active Duty Military simply show proof of military service to receive their free Red, White & Blue pancakes. Proof includes: US Uniformed Services ID Card, US Uniformed Services Retired ID Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), veterans organization card (i.e. American Legion, VFW, etc.), photograph of yourself in US military uniform, wearing uniform, DD214, military dog tags, and citation or commendation.

PARSIPPANY — For almost a year, Parsippany Focus, was told of a Starbucks opening in Parsippany, but until now we couldn’t disclose information. Soon you will be able to drive-up and order your Iced Carmel Macchiato or Caffè Americano in Parsippany, instead of driving to Denville or elsewhere.

Our source, a Starbucks Manager, stated “A Starbucks with a drive-thru will be opening on Route 10 East in the Octagon Building sometime in 2016.”

When Parsippany Focus conducted a reader survey in 2014 our readers wanted a Starbucks and Trader Joe’s.

Focus has been listening and watching ever since.

Plans were finally submitted to the Parsippany Troy-Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment, applying for a variance for property located at 1719 Route 10, East, Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey and is designated as Block 200, Lot 1 on the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Tax Map. The building is known as the Octagon 10 Office Center

Included in their application, “Applicant has applied for the following approvals: Use Variance, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d)(1), uses are not permitted and the property contains more than one principal use. Bulk Variances, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(c)(1), front yard setback. Such other approvals, variances and waivers from the requirements of the Zoning Ordinances as may be deemed necessary or required by the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills at the hearing in this matter.”

According to the application, they are seeking approvals to add and integrate additional uses to the existing office building property which will include a restaurant, daycare or fitness center and a café with a drive-thru.

According to the plans, the café with a drive-thru will occupy 2,000 square feet, the daycare or fitness center will occupy 13,689 square feet and the restaurant will occupy 8,740 square feet.

At a Zoning Board meeting on Wednesday, October 20, Board Chairman asked the Applicant’s Attorney, Joe O’Neill, who will be occupying the cafe? A Dunkin Donuts? Mr. O’Neill replied, the only thing I can disclose it will be an “upscale coffee cafe.”

The Board of Adjustment on Wednesday, November 4, approved the cafe with a drive through. It was also disclosed that the tenant would be Starbucks.  The other two buildings received preliminary approval at this time, since there is no pending tenant. The board votes unanimously to approve Starbucks.

The Octagon 10 Office Center is located in Morris County’s Fortune 500 District, this octagon shaped building has an outdoor courtyard and fountain. Unique octagonal design,  Internet fiber optic SONET rings,Full service cafeteria, Basement storage, fine local business hotels (Hilton and Marriott) and restaurants abound in the area, Interior court with fountain. The building is located directly across from the Mack-Cali Business Campus.

The office building is approximately 87% rented. It contains 192,660 square feet, on three floors, with 16,740 square feet currently vacant. Some of the current tenants include Internal Revenue Service, Chase Bank, Net Access, Law Offices of Thomas Buonocore, Manpower and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  The building was constructed in 1975 and renovated in 1996.

The building is owned by Commercial Realty Group, the same company that owns 100 IMS Drive.