Boulder Run Appeal Denied
Construction at Boulder Run will likely begin soon following the ruling of Judge Conte of the New Jersey Superior Court that the Wyckoff Planning Board’s 8-0 approval of the Boulder Run redevelopment plan was not “arbitrary nor capricious,” which is the state standard for overturning a development approval. Wyckoff residents Mark and Therese Simpson had filed an appeal earlier this year.The judge noted that the Wyckoff Design Review Committee, per Wyckoff Zoning Code, "is to report to the Planning Board. The report shall include a statement of findings on the proposed site plan in regard to the design standards...and recommendations for acceptance or amendment based on the findings." Judge Conte further noted that the Design Committee failed to submit a statement of findings on the proposed site plan. Nonetheless, the court refused to substitute its judgment for that of the Wyckoff Planning Board, which ultimately approved the developer's site plan. Judge Conte cited earlier New Jersey case law that gives deference to planning boards because they have a "peculiar knowledge of local conditions.”
The Wyckoff Design Committee is headed by real estate executive Ed Galenkamp, cousin of long-time township committee member and property developer Harold Galenkamp. The Galenkamp family has substantial property in Wyckoff being developed at the former site of Sicomac Dairy off Sicomac Avenue. Committeeman Galenkamp's brother-in-law, Gordon Stanley, is the long-term, appointed head of the Wyckoff Planning Board. Committeeman Galenkamp's cousin, Rudy Boonstra, is the long-term, appointed head of the Wyckoff Zoning Board of Adjustment. Mr. Boonstra has just been selected to run this November in place of Henry McNamara, Jr. who withdrew from the race for a seat on the Wyckoff Township Committee.
Boulder Run developer Hekemian’s claim that the Simpson appeal was frivolous was rejected by the judge.