UW Property Proposal May Need Increased Height Variance

One of the variances needed for the Hekemian development of a 70,000 sq. ft. grocery store, drive through bank and 24-unit affordable housing complex has to do with the height of the building.

The applicant is asking for a height variance, among others, in order to build the proposed structures. After reviewing their proposed building plan, borough engineer Margit Bastistic had an issue with an exposed piece of equipment on the roof of the grocery store.

Bastistic’s concerns spurred the applicant to add a screen to the roof that would block view of the exposed equipment on three sides, leaving the back, facing Madison Avenue, exposed.

As it turns out, the newly proposed building design, including the screening, may require the applicant to ask for an even greater variance be made to allow for the additional height.

Check out the interaction above between Gadaleta, who has appeared before the zoning board as an expert, and Andy DelVecchio, Hekemian’s attorney. The discussion between the two surrounds the possibility of a generator also being place on the rooftop, which is not currently proposed.

Gadaleta made the point that a generator large enough to power a 70,000 sq. ft. area would be like “a locomotive on the roof.”

Borough Attorney Scott Sproviero got a laugh out of everyone, including DelVecchio when he inquired whether or not there were any plans to put a locomotive on the roof.