Residents fear traffic
from 382 apartments
BY LARRY RAMER
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — Several members of the public believe that a proposed apartment complex on Lloyd Road just south of the Aberdeen border would make travel in this area of Marlboro very difficult.
Meanwhile, a resident disclosed that developer Michael Weitz, who is proposing to build the Northpointe apartments, has built a large open basin near the Marlboro Memorial Middle School, Nolan Road.
Two members of the Planning Board said they were concerned that children’s safety may be endangered by the basin.
The Northpointe application was the subject of a hearing before the Planning Board on Feb. 18.
Several residents said the proposed 382-apartment complex would exacerbate traffic problems that already exist in the area.
"Right now when you cross Lloyd and Nolan roads you’re already taking life in your hands," said Lenny Larocca. "We don’t need an additional 800 cars in that area. That would be a hazard to everybody’s health."
After being told that a traffic survey of the roads in the area has been submitted to Marlboro, Larocca said, "I’m sure the people who live in the area know what the traffic situation is as opposed to the people who come in and survey it."
Nancy Zavoluk of Aberdeen presented a petition to the Planning Board that she said had been signed by about 300 people who live in the area. According to Zavoluk, the petition said, in part, "We are concerned that the additional traffic generated by the development would cause the current situation to markedly deteriorate at the expense of vehicular and pedestrian safety."
The petition asked the board to force the builder to significantly reduce the number of units that would be at the site and to prevent the development from being built until improvements are made at the nearby intersection of Lloyd Road and Route 34.
It was noted that state representatives are considering making improvements at Lloyd Road and Route 34 and that these improvements would take at least three years to implement.
Zavoluk also told the board that a large basin, which she said is about the size of one-and-a-half football fields, has been formed near the proposed Northpointe development site. There is water or ice at the bottom of the basin, Zavoluk added.
The basin is a few hundred yards from the driveway of the Marlboro Memorial Middle School and was completed in late summer or early fall, according to Planning Board member Peter Bellone. The hole is 8 to 10 feet deep and has about a foot of frozen water, added Bellone, who said he has visited the site recently.
Lorali Totten, an engineer representing the applicant, explained that the basin was constructed as part of the development of a new street. The applicant has ordered a fence for the basin, Totten said. In any event, a fence cannot be installed around the basin now because the ground is frozen, she added.
"As soon as the fence comes in and the ground thaws, that fence will be installed," she said.
"This site is right by the middle school," Planning Board member Steve Gustman said. "I would hope a fence gets put up immediately, starting tomorrow. Why can’t a temporary fence be put up that would prevent children from going into this basin?"
"A temporary fence, such as an orange mesh fence, should be installed immediately," Bellone agreed. "I am concerned for the safety of the children."
"My client has advised me that he will attend to putting up a temporary fence as soon as possible," said attorney Dan Murphy, who represents Weitz.
As of Feb. 20, the applicant, Ohad Associates, had not installed a temporary fence at the site, Weitz said.
Several members of the public implored the applicant to build a fence in a different location. The residents are seeking a fence around the property where the Northpointe development would be built.
"In Aberdeen, there are many things that kids and adults would want to do, like movie theaters, shopping and bowling alleys," said John Ocello of Aberdeen, noting that he lives just north of the proposed development. "Is there anything that would stop people from (Northpointe) from cutting through our backyards and taking a short-cut to Route 34? Is there a chance of a solid fence with evergreen tress being built around the property?"
Murphy said his client would be willing to replant trees on the property line bordering Aberdeen. He did not address the issue of a fence at that point.
After another resident, Frank Mazzei of Aberdeen, asked the applicant if he would place a fence on the border to prevent children and teenagers from entering the backyards of nearby homes, Murphy said, "I am not prepared to answer that at the moment."
The Planning Board is scheduled to hold the next hearing on Northpointe at 8 p.m. April 7 at Town Hall.