Wayne hires expert to study traffic impact

By: Philip DeVencentis
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

WAYNE - The Planning Board will retain expert to give an opinion on the future impact to traffic on Alps Road if a 449-unit housing complex is built in place of a former corporate campus.
..... The consultant will study whether that impact is enough to justify installation of a traffic light at the entrance to and exit from the proposed complex, which would be called The Villas at Wayne Hills.
..... At a public hearing last week [04/10/2023] a civil engineer testifying on behalf of the developer said traffic generated by the complex would not warrant a new traffic light on the county road.
..... Mayor Christopher Vergano objected to that testimony saying there is no way he would allow the developer to have a left-turn lane for motorists leaving the complex, and heading north on Alps Road, without one installed.
..... "I'm not trying to bully you - I'm just telling you," he said, addressing the engineer. "How are people going to get to work in the morning?"
..... John Cote, the engineer, said he and his associates would take the mayor's comments under consideration as they continue to fine-tune the plan. Passaic County has jurisdiction over the road, he noted.
..... Moments later, as Cote resumed his testimony, Vergano interrupted and asked township Planner Christopher Kok, to hire a consultant for a second opinion.
..... Traffic flow is just one issue that the board must weigh in its deliberations over redevelopment of the 99.2-acresite, occupied for decades by the headquarters of GAF Materials Corporation. the roofing supplies company moved to Parsippany-Troy Hills eight years ago.
..... A limited liability company tired to the Developer, Ridgewood Real Estate Partners of Florham Park, purchased the property in September 2021.
..... It's plan calls for 439 townhouses and10 single-family dwellings, including four residences around a cul-de-sac that would be paved as an extension of Olga Street. Ninety units would be designated for low-income households.
..... According to a traffic impact study prepared for the developer, the complex would generate fewer trips during the morning peak hour and the evening peak hour than the once-occupied corporate campus.
..... If the offices were reoccupied, the study says, the site would generate 431 morning trips and 413 evening trips. It says the housing use would generate 181 morning trips and 231 evening trips.
..... "The proposed redevelopment will not significantly impact traffic operations during peak hours when compared to the operations of the office development at full occupancy," the study concluded. "The reduction in site-generated trips associated with the proposed redevelopment will result in an improvement will result in an improvement to the delays at the surrounding intersections."
..... The next public hearing is scheduled for May 8 [2023] at 7:30 PM. Cote will continue his testimony.

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