Joint Planning Boards Approve Mountainside Medical Office Building and Hospital Parking Plan After Traffic and Fencing Revisions

Continuing the joint hearing on the Mountainside medical office building, architect Allen Kopelson presented a canopy extended 9 feet over the building's entrance and added cornice detail. Traffic consultant Corey Chase of Atlantic Traffic testified that a new signal at Bay Avenue, Walnut Crescent, and Highland Avenue would improve the currently failing (level-of-service F) Highland Avenue approach to a level-of-service B, while Walnut Street at Walnut Crescent would remain at level-of-service C; he said no tractor-trailer deliveries were anticipated and that fencing would be added along Bay Avenue to discourage midblock crossing.

Carmel Loughman of 26 Walnut Street pressed on safety at Walnut Street and Walnut Crescent, where she said drivers routinely fail to stop, and on construction trucks cutting through Walnut Crescent to Oxford Street; officials said the redevelopment agreement could bar construction trucks from Walnut Crescent, and the applicant agreed to add a crosswalk at Claremont Avenue and Walnut Crescent. A Glen Ridge resident, Mr. Merino, asked to have six parking spaces near his home moved farther away, but was told doing so would create a variance issue; the applicant instead offered a buffer of 6-to-7-foot evergreens planted 6 feet on center. Juno Santos asked who to contact if hospital employees smoke near the new open space; the applicant noted the hospital has a no-smoking policy.

With no further public questions or comments, the Board unanimously approved both applications with conditions.