Boonton Ave. Retail Complex Proposal Moves Forward

All five members present at Tuesday's Kinnelon Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting unanimously approved a bulk variance for a proposed retail and restaurant complex to be built on Boonton Avenue in the space of the former Marco's Market by HMR Properties, LLC.

The application for the complex calls for a single-story 6,000-square foot building on a 9.5 acre site that would house a small restaurant with limited seating and several retail stores which could include a bicycle repair shop and dog grooming salon. The developer, affiliated with Badanco Holding Company, has said he would look to bring a pizza restaurant, Asian cuisine or possibly deli in as the restaurant. A three-bedroom house is also located on the property, something the developers would like to keep intact.

Testimony on the proposal began last year, with HMR being represented by Michael Rubin. The application for variances was carried over to Tuesday as board members and Borough Engineer Tom Boorady awaited letters from the Board of Health, Kinnelon Traffic Bureau and Kinnelon Fire Prevention Bureau regarding the application before members would take a vote.

On Tuesday, Zoning Board Chairman Gene Orcutt, Vice Chairman John Carpenter and Members Richard Ruocco, Pam Maggio and Fran Meletsky all voted in favor of the variances. Carpenter told Rubin he appreciated his due diligence in gathering information relating to traffic and fire safety, as he had requested, before the vote.

"When it comes to traffic safety and fire, it seems like everything was done properly," he said.

Orcutt, Ruocco and Maggio said they did not have any problems with the application. Meletsky noted that she felt the applicant seemed to satisfy concerns of the public and residents who live near the property, including lighting concerns.

"I think that [the applicant] really bent over backwards to really accommodate every concern," she said.

After the members voted, Rubin thanked the board for their time and said he was confident they would be pleased with the project.

"We know that it will be a beautiful addition to the community," he said.