BY ANN GENADER
Plans for a Dollar Tree retail store and acquisition of additional open space properties were topics discussed by the West Milford Environmental Commission at its meeting this week.
Kingwood Flex LLC, current owner of the former shopping complex at 1592 Union Valley Road, is working with the township planning department on the company’s proposal for the development of an existing mixed use commercial building.
The proposed plan includes the partial demolition of a commercial building and construction of a 5,449 square-foot building addition to house a Dollar Tree retail store.
Studies are being prepared for a hearing in which the applicant will seek necessary approvals for the project.
Associated site improvements include, parking areas, grading, landscaping, lighting and utilities.
The commissioners were asked to review the environmental impact the project would have.
They directed Kingwood that oil separators be installed in storm drains in its parking lot to prevent water runoff from reaching Belcher’s Creek.
The commissioners also suggested installation of a recharge system for electric vehicles and solar for energy assistance. Otherwise the application looked acceptable to the commission, Chairman Steve Sangle said.
The commission also discussed fees for the Land Conservatory, which were considered minimal at $3,000 to $5,000 per year.
The money could be taken out of the available Open Space Fund balance, the commissioners said, with additional money not being added to the township budget.
“Again we would be looking at properties with low tax basis such as farmland properties or properties which had a low assessed valuation – thereby not causing any burden to the township in any lost taxes,” Sangle said.
Water quality testing continues by the commissioners and they will be sharing testing results with the Greenwood Lake Commission as well as Princeton Hydro who is doing the grant report in connection with the project.
Correspondence made township officials aware that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Dam Safety and Flood Control issued flood control permits for work by the City of Newark Department of Water and Sewer Utilities for watershed properties Cedar Pond Dam and Hank’s Pond.
Both dams are located across tributaries to Clinton Brook.