Planning Board Approves Mixed-Use Development along Main St.

The Madison Planning Board approved the construction of a multi-use construction at 122 Main St., the former site of an Exxon, with board conditions on Tuesday night.

Most of the board's meeting was spent on Greenwood Property Group's application to develop the lot on the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Main Street.

The board saw designs for a two-floor building with stores below and offices above and heard from Nino Coviello, the group's attorney, and Rocco Iossa, the applicant.

Gary W. Dean, a traffic engineer, answered the board's questions about the impact on traffic and possible solutions for easing congestion, such as left lead lights at the intersection of Main Street and Greenwood Avenue. Dean said such a solution would likely help left-turning traffic at the expense of through traffic.

Madison resident Toni De Rosa cautioned Greenwood and the board in strong terms against congesting the intersection any further, saying that the decisions made by the board would "come back to haunt us."

Architect Percy M. Petrillo also spoke to the board about the proposed building's lighting and signs, and answered questions about the overall appearance of the building during daylight and nighttime hours.

The board cited concern over "hot spots," areas of intense, bright light surrounded by darkness, and of the lights disturbing the residences behind the site.  The board and Iossa agreed that the building be constructed without the lights, but with the necessary capacities for the lights, so that the group could come back to the board and make a case for installing the lights if needed. This was agreed upon.

Board members also felt strongly that the storefront windows should not be obstructed with display cases that prevented pedestrians from seeing into the stores.  Iossa asked if all other businesses in downtown Madison had the same restrictions, and the board said they did.  Board attorney Vincent K. Loughlin stressed that most Planning Boards would not approve a proposal like Greenwood's without a final tenant already decided on.

Earlier during Tuesday's meeting, the board quickly passed the application of Madison Golf Club to construct a new clubhouse. With three of the board members absent, the motion was approved as drafted with only four yea votes.

The motion granting the application of Royal Wave Development as applicant and owner for property located at 6, 8, and 10 Cooke Ave. and 21, 23, and 25 Ridgedale Ave. was likewise approved after a statement from Royal Wave's Brian Burns attorney that all changes discussed at the Feb. 2 meeting and in subsequent conversations with the board had been made.

The only new business on the agenda, a master land use plan from Drew University, was adjourned until April 27.

The next Planning Board meeting will take place on March 2, in Room 320 on the second floor of Bayley-Ellard High School at 205 Madison Ave. at 7:30 in the evening.