MAPLEWOOD VILLAGE ALLIANCE APPROVES POST OFFICE PLAN AFTER LENGTHY, OPINIONATED MEETING

The Maplewood Village Alliance on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved the controversial redevelopment of the Maplewood Village Post Office project after a lengthy meeting that included heated exchanges from both sides over the project that has become a major issue in town.

The MVA vote, 12-2, is another step in the move toward the 20-unit project that would include five retail shops and a three-story building. Former Mayor Fred Profeta and Joe DePlasco cast the opposing MVA votes, while member Allison Zeifert abstained.

MVA member John Branigan opened with a report from the MVA Post Office Design Review Subcommittee, which recommended the plan be approved by the full MVA.

The project now goes to the Planning Board for review.

JMF Properties offered a major presentation of the plan, with images of the floor plans and artist sketches and photos of how the project would look in the current space now occupied by the post office building, which closed earlier this year. 

They also announced it would be a "well building" with efforts for healthy eating, yoga and even an electric car charging station for residents.

JMF President Joe Forgione detailed the plans for the alliance at the Town Hall meeting, where a large crowd attended.

See highlights of the meeting below:



Some had concerns about the design, noting the same architect had designed the Station House building at the former police station site on Dunnell Road, which many consider a poor design. The issue of delivery trucks being able to back into Kings was raised, with Mayor Vic Deluca, an MVA member, assuring that would be taken into account.

Many also remain upset at the five-year tax abatement plan that will allow JMF to pay just a fraction of the property taxes during the first five years, raising it annually by 20% through 2020.