This month, a pedestrian was struck and seriously injured by a car in front of 410 Main Street at the corner of Park Drive North. The victim is a resident of the nearby senior housing building, Degnan House.
The accident happened only a day before the Planning Board heard on November 6 an application for a project at 410 Main Street, which is located approximately 200 feet from the Degnan House and 200 feet from Edison Middle School. Both seniors and children are considered vulnerable when it comes to traffic and safety.
For months, our group of West Orange residents has steadfastly opposed the plan to develop 410 Main Street into a large apartment building with 900 square feet of retail space. The developer is seeking eight bulk ‘C’ variances. His proposed building is too large, unsafe, and threatens the surrounding neighborhoods with many adverse consequences, including pedestrian safety. As previously shared on this site, 170 residents signed the petition that outlines our concerns.
Our group has participated in each Planning Board meeting that’s heard the application for 410 Main Street. Before that, we also reached out to West Orange’s Older Adults Advisory Board and Pedestrian Safety Advisory Board. The OAAB invited us to their April meeting and, as a result of our presentation, wrote a letter to the administration acknowledging and supporting our opposition. Our group is very grateful to the OAAB for their attention and input.
Unfortunately, despite numerous emails and a gentle nudge from the Town Council liaison, the PSAB never replied to us. Three members of the PSAB are Planning Board members, including Jerry Guarino, who serves as vice chair of the Planning Board. We have to surmise this poses a conflict of interest.
There are other reasons why we asked the PSAB for help:
· This area, and all of Main Street, has been identified as a High Injury Network by Vision Zero.
· Many families with school-age children live on the Park Drive Loop and adjacent streets Ashwood Terrace and Park Terrace.
· Several school-bus routes pick up and drop off students on both sides of Main Street directly in front of 410 Main, between Park Drive North and Park Terrace.
· Motorists rarely obey the 25-mph speed limit on this stretch of Main Street and worse, rarely obey the flashing crosswalk lights on Main in front of Dunkin Donuts. This crosswalk is never supervised by a guard. No one crossing Main Street can ever be sure that a motorist will actually stop when the crosswalk is activated.
· Main Street bends at this location. It’s four lanes wide, then just north of 410, abruptly narrows to two. Drivers have limited sight distance. Sight distance is further obstructed by cars parked on Main Street between Eagle Rock Avenue and Harrison Avenue and the Edison School ball field.
· Two setback variances sought by the developer will create a blind corner and dangerously impede the perception of drivers turning onto Park Drive North from both directions on Main Street.
· If the developer’s parking variance is approved, the neighborhood can expect at least 10-14 more vehicles that rely on street parking. This area of town has been desperate for parking for years.
There is one more meeting on December 4 to convince the Planning Board that we are genuinely worried about our safety if this application is approved. Considering the functions of the PSAB, we feel that they should have met with us months ago.
Their failure to reply is not just disappointing, it’s dangerous.
—M.K. Adams, West Orange resident
