Wednesday, February 21, 2007

By JAIME HOVAN
STAFF WRITER
FAIR LAWN COMMUNITY NEWS

FAIR LAWN - At the end of last year when the council had a tough time deciding the fate of two controversial topics it turned to residents for their opinions at open forum meetings.

            The governing body plans to do it again, but this time to discuss rezoning and building on the former Clariant chemical plant property.

            “I think the public forums work out great,” said Mayor Steve Weinstein.

            The council introduced an ordinance last month to change the zoning of the property. The zone would change from industrial to residential, specifically R54, which means the land is to be used for planned townhouses and multi-family homes, which also includes age-restricted family units.

            According to Weinstein, the reason the council decided to postpone the second and final reading of the ordinance was because there were so many questions about the environment and other factors regarding the property.

            “We are going to bring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in to discuss what has to be complete before building begins and a possible time sequence,” said Weinstein.

            The property located on Fair Lawn Avenue and 3rd Street, was shut down when a chemical tank burst, which led to the contamination of the land. According to the ordinance, the land has been undergoing remediation since the late 1980s and Clariant has said it will finance the continual clean up until it meets the DEP requirements.

            Shellmarc LLC, of Glenrock, approached the council about developing the land in May of 2006. The plans for the property include 130 units that will be broken into two sections with the southern most facing the road the other in the interior of the development. The new development will include a three-level building at the northern en of the property with 48, two-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom units with eight per floor. Each unit would have two parking spaces and it would be required that anyone residing in that building be 19 years or older.

            “We have not decided on a date for the meeting yet,” said Weinstein. “But I hoping many people come out to be heard.”