Community Corner

Oradell Attorney Expected to Challenge Hekemian Expert Testimony

Public continues to present their case to New Milford Zoning Board for the proposed development of the United Water property.

The New Milford Zoning Board will continue to hear challenges to the testimony of Hekemian's experts Thursday regarding the proposed development of the 13 acres of United Water property by concerned residents. The proposed development includes a 70,500 sq. ft. supermarket, 4300 sq. ft. bank and 24 low income housing units. Attorneys for Hekemian concluded their case before the Zoning Board June 11. 

Louis Flora, the attorney representing the Borough of Oradell in the United Water property hearings, has scheduled his expert traffic engineer, Louis Luglio, to appear at Thursday's meeting.

During the June 27 hearing, residents who challenged the testimonies of Hekemian's experts focused their arguments on flooding, traffic volume and pedestrian safety associated with the proposed development. 

It is anticipated that Luglio will challenge the testimony of Hekemian's traffic expert, Elizabeth Dolan, especially the question of traffic impact on the intersection of Kinderkamack Road and Main Street which her traffic impact analysis failed to address. 

It was Dolan's position that the proposed development will not negatively impact traffic in the area of the proposed development. During the public's cross examination of Dolan in February, the focus of the questions were on Dolan's traffic counts for peak hours and days, amount of traffic proposed to be generated by the new Shop Rite, and the routes of the trailer trucks.

The next meeting of the New Milford Zoning Board will be Thursday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of New Milford Borough Hall on River Road. 


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