Update:
The developer of this property, The Knolls at Bloomingdale, LLC, withdrew the site plan application for this project in the spring of 2005, in part because of the information provided by CLEAN's environmental consultant, John Thonet. Subsequently, this property was purchased by the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Green Acres in late 2005 and is now preserved in perpetuity as open space.

Knolls Project reviewed for environmentally sensitive Ball Tract

Residents living near the 35 acre Ball Tract have been turning out in force to oppose a 140 townhome development slated for the tract, which includes steeply sloped terrain and wetlands.

The developer has been presenting testimony through their engineering firm, Medina Consultants, for several months. CLEAN recently contracted environmental engineer planner John Thonet to review the proposed site plans and pinpoint environmental issues related to the site.

Much of the testimony has revolved around the proposed stormwater management system, which includes 3 detention basins. Several evening's testimony have included questions from both the public and environmental advocates such as Ross Kushner of the Pequannock River Coalition, who questioned how such a detention basin system would be economically maintained by the homeowners association who will own the property should the development be built. The system would require periodic replacement of a one-foot sand layer of one detention basin, which would entail removal of the part of the sand layer and replacement. Concerns about truck traffic, a maintenance schedule, and who would bear the expense of such maintenance have dominated the discussions.

At the November 11th hearing, CLEAN submitted a report by Mr. Thonet to the Board's attorney, Anthony Sartori. The applicant's attorney requested that the report be entered as an exhibit, and planning board members have expressed interest in having Mr. Thonet testify on his findings.

The hearings will resume on January 13, 2005, and CLEAN hopes to have Mr. Thonet on hand at that meeting to review his report.