editor's notebook

Save The Woods ... Save The Ravine ... Between Hawthorne and Wyckoff, we see a proliferation of signs popping up to "Save The Woods" and "Save The Ravine." The ravine and the woods, that straddle these two communities, are both sites proposed for future development. We're sure the proponents of these campaigns realize that neither community is going to buy up these pristine parcels to keep them as open space.

At a organizational meeting of the Hawthorne Save The Woods group on Tuesday night, one of its founders emphasized that owners of private property have a right to develop their land. On the other hand, concerned citizens have a right to expect that sites, which abut their residential neighborhood, aren't overdeveloped.

Whenever any new development is proposed, the immediate issues raised are increased traffic, congestion, runoff and the drain on municipal services. Residents are now starting to realize that these effects may extend beyond the boundaries of one community. Hawthorne and Wyckoff neighbors are joining efforts to show the far-reaching impact proposed development may have.

The Wyckoff Planning Board is taking public comment on the Barrister at Deep Brook project, the one which will impact the ravine, on September 10 at 7:30 pm. This is the ravine that runs between Goffle Hill Road and Woodside Avenue, behind Jefferson School along the Hawthorne Ambulance Corps garage, the DPW complex and empties into Arnold's Pond in Goffle Brook Park.

Residents in various parts of Hawthorne, especially those impacted by recent flooding, have reason to be concerned about how much more water runoff this project will create.

The Christian Health Care Center's proposal for adult residences hasn't yet been scheduled for a public hearing. Like the bagel shop application that needed approval in two communities, this development will have to pass muster in both Wyckoff and Hawthorne. Since these communities are in two different counties, this factor adds to the complexity of the application. This multi-layered bureaucracy is a formidable challenge to an ordinary citizen, concerned about the impact this project will have on their property.

For this reason, we think the Hawthorne Council should take a serious look at the possibility of rezoning the property above Emeline Drive. At the very least, this would ensure proper buffers and setbacks from the neighboring residential properties. No one wants the monstrosity of a 62.5 foot building in their backyard. Just drive down Ravine Drive in Hawthorne and see what those property owners have to contend with from Lafayette Hills.

It's too late to save the ravine or to save the woods but it isn't too late to be vigilant about the environmental impact all future development will have on our community. .

© The Hawthorne Press, Inc.