Joanow: Venezia has Right Idea for Scientific Glass Site

By Councilman Nicholas Joanow

I have been fighting for 12 years to have the Scientific Glass site acquired by the township. This area is located in a flood zone and with the potential for 104 townhouses (52 two-bedroom, 52 three-bedrooms) would increase flooding/river bank erosion for all homeowners bordering the Third River. This would be the single largest development of townhouses since 1946.

In addition, all of the children from this development would be directed to Brookdale school which is already challenged for space. With an increased number of children coming from this development, redistricting or trailers would be required  to accommodate these students. With the additional children from this development, the property values in the second Ward would be compromised.  The school board has a policy on class size. Once exceeded, the district is required to  split the class and hire a teacher and provide the needed space.

Our population will increase with the redevelopment projects in the downtown and yet the township has not provided any amenities to compensate the residents of this community. We need additional ball fields for recreation and if this site is developed that will never happen.

We have a soccer team that is currently number two in the nation and unfortunately have no field to play on.

The soccer program has 1,200 children and continues to expand its membership. With the growing popularity of this sport, Bloomfield will be able to host tournaments and generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for our township.

We are spending approximately one million dollars to improve the North center street scape and with the Lion Gate site upstream from this area it would create flooding issues for business owners along the Third River who already have their basement flooded during rain events.

Bottom line, the impact of this development on this township would be catastrophic and cost the taxpayers of this community.

I am supporting the Venezia Team because we are united in our common goal to acquire this property. I strongly recommend your support to see that they are elected so we may move forward and acquire this property.

It has been Mayor McCarthy since 2001 who has advocated for the development of this site. I have been in opposition to best represent the people of their community while he has done every thing within his power to see that this site is developed. He has served as a lobbyist  and protected the best interest of the developer as opposed to the people of this community.