Zoning Board to look at Green Meadows plan Sept.19

The application by Green Meadows Organics LLC to expand use of their existing compositing recycling facility at 960 Burnt Meadow Road in Hewitt will be the subject at a special meeting of the West Milford Zoning Board of Adjustment on Sept. 19.

The public has already shown a great amount of opposition to the plan.

With a large number of residents expected to attend the 7 p.m. meeting, it has been moved from its usual town hall location to the West Milford High School auditorium.

Green Mountain Organics LLC is the only applicant on the agenda.

The company is requesting that the ZBA approve use, bulk variances and the final site plan and expansion of the pre-existing non-conforming use facility.

The company owns 28 acres of property on the site. It is in a Limited Manufacturing and Industrial Zone.

The application was first a subject of local concern almost a year ago when it was received in the Planning Department.

It was then to come up March 19 but the company officials withdrew the application.

Company representatives wanted to have time to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed expansion and the addition of food waste and concrete recycling to the business operation.

They had until Dec. 31 to reapply in order to have fees waived.

Mayor Michele Dale said the township was aware that there are many residents who want to speak about the application and the meeting was relocated to the high school auditorium to meet that need.

When the application was on the ZBA agenda Aug. 28, 2018, local officials decided not to address it with the meeting room was filled over its designated capacity.

There was need to adhere to numbers safely allowed at one time in the room.

Last October, a scheduled meeting at the high school was cancelled when Green Meadow Organics LLC asked for a postponement.

Gary Paolazzi and others who reside near the site feared expansion would not only increase traffic, but also feared it have a detrimental effect on the serene quality of life they are now enjoying along with decreased home and property values.