A Second Ward resident has launched an 11th-hour effort to derail Morristown’s M Station, an office redevelopment she labeled “an all-out assault” on low-income residents who rely on restaurants and shops that are being displaced.
Nearly 300 signatures have been gathered online since Kelly Montes posted Say NO to M-Station as Proposed over the weekend.
“This development looks and feels like an all-out assault … on low-income residents at the hand of their elected officials … The plan does not retain the suburban character of Downtown Morristown,” posted Montes, urging residents to make their feelings known at a planning board meeting on March 5, 2020.
In an interview, Montes said she also may push for a public referendum, to demand redevelopment similar “to what the plaza offers currently.” Her online petition, she said, “is a trial run and hopefully a message to the planning board.”
Town officials disputed key points of the petition, and said approvals have been transparent. Eight public hearings have been held since June 2019 on a project with “the potential to provide many good jobs, both construction jobs and long term professional and staff jobs, significant economic activity and infrastructure improvements which will benefit Morristown,” said a statement from town Administrator Jillian Barrick.
Approved unanimously by the town council in October, M Station is anticipated to transform the Midtown Shopping Center at Morris and Spring streets into nearly 400,000 square feet of offices and retail, with a parking deck, promenade, plaza and traffic roundabout.
Officials have estimated M Station will generate nearly $1 million in annual taxes, and bring “walking wallets” to patronize area restaurants and shops.
“We are proud of our efforts to provide enhanced opportunities for the public to review and comment on redevelopment projects like M Station– over and above what the law requires. By partnering with the public, we help ensure the best possible projects for Morristown,” Mayor Tim Dougherty said in the statement.
Council President Stefan Armington, the governing body’s liaison to the planning board, said he doubts the referendum process can be applied to redevelopment projects.
Armington suggested that many affordable dining options remain in the Morris Street vicinity. He echoed Montes’ call for residents to come to the planning board, “to find out what is really being proposed.” (Full text of both statements appears at the bottom of this article.)
The existing strip mall was earmarked for redevelopment by town officials in 2004 and again in 2008. M Station now is before the planning board, for technical approvals.
Montes cited environmental concerns about runoff from a steep slope, the loss of affordable restaurants and services frequented by low-income residents, and the displacement of those small businesses.
The petition also contends local officials have not factored in the traffic impact of other projects at the town’s borders.
Armington countered that there are no steep slopes. He said M Station actually should reduce stormwater runoff, and the planning board is likely to focus on traffic.
M Station’s developers, Scotto Properties and SJP Properties, issued a joint response to the petition:
“We’re committed to working through the town’s public approvals process. To date, we have presented our plans at at least seven meetings that were open to the public, and there are several more public meetings about this project planned.
“This property was identified for redevelopment many years ago by Morristown, and we’re proud of the plans we have put forth, which were developed in partnership with the industry’s best architects, engineers, environmental professionals, traffic consultants and planners, and refined with feedback from town officials and the Morristown community at large.
“Every detail of M Station has been well thought out and vigorously studied to ensure the project will contribute positively to Morristown’s economic base and character, and considers the surrounding environment and topography. We look forward to continuing the conversation with Morristown’s officials and planning professionals during the next phase of project approvals,” the statement concludes.
Scotto, the landlord, has given tenants an extra month to vacate the shopping center, extending the deadline to May 1, a project spokesperson added. Scotto also has offered labor to help tenants relocate, along with off-site storage, if needed, the spokesperson said.
About a dozen restaurants and shops are affected. The Morris Pizzeria has announced plans to move to South Street. Panera Bread is heading to Whippany. Cluck U Chicken is searching for new digs.
Prospects appear more daunting for Burger King and Green Life Market, among other tenants.
Technical aspects of M Station’s site plan are scheduled for planning board review on March 5, March 11, March 26, and March 28, a rare Saturday meeting.
The board agreed to expedited hearings because the project’s anchor tenant, the Big Four accounting firm Deloitte, gave the developers an April deadline to secure approvals, board Chairman Joe Stanley said last week.
Mayor Dougherty should recuse himself from the planning board, Montes said on Monday, because he is a defendant in a civil lawsuit involving the project.
The Silverman Group alleges Dougherty pressured Deloitte to scuttle plans to move its Parsippany headquarters to South Street, where Silverman plans to erect 100,000 square feet of office space across from the Presbyterian Parish House. The mayor has said development on that scale would destroy the character of that area.
Deloitte has signed a longterm lease for M Station, according to the administration. “It is unfortunate that the referenced petition has provided misinformation to the contrary,” Barrick’s statement said.
Public referendums are not new to Morristown. More than a decade ago, citizens successfully got a pay-to-play ordinance on the ballot. Voters approved it.
And Montes, the daughter of former council candidate Lorena Inestroza, has had some success of her own with legal challenges. She filed a federal class action suit against a Mendham restaurant that ended last year with a settlement for workers who claimed they were shortchanged on tips and wages.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with comments from the mayor’s office and council president.
Statement from town Administrator Jillian Barrick:
Contrary to a petition being circulated to oppose the M Station project, Morristown’s government has been engaging the public in a transparent and community based dialogue regarding the M Station project.
This public process, which has consisted of eight public meetings, has been ongoing since June of last year. These public meetings have consisted of community outreach meetings and presentations before the planning board and governing body. Many thanks to the Morristown residents who attended these meetings and provided their invaluable input to help shape this significant project.
The redevelopment plan for this project has been adopted, unanimously, by the Morristown Council. A series of meetings before the planning board has been scheduled. Public notice of such meetings has been provided and Morristown welcomes public participation.
All design, traffic and environmental issues will be strictly scrutinized by the planning board before any approval is provided. As always, public input and participation is welcomed and encouraged at planning board meetings.
Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty stated, “ this project, like all redevelopment projects, is being considered with input from the public. We are proud of our efforts to provide enhanced opportunities for the public to review and comment on redevelopment projects like M Station– over and above what the law requires. By partnering with the public, we help ensure the best possible projects for Morristown.”
Contrary to the petition, the Deloitte accounting firm, one of the largest in the world, has signed a long term lease for a large portion of the M Station project. It is unfortunate that the referenced petition has provided misinformation to the contrary.
The Town of Morristown welcomes spirited debate about this and other issues affecting our Town. But attempting to persuade the public of a point of view with misinformation has no place in our public discourse.
While the M Station project is still in the approval phase, it has the potential to provide many good jobs, both construction jobs and long term professional and staff jobs, significant economic activity and infrastructure improvements which will benefit Morristown.
Redevelopment in Morristown has been and will continue to be performed in partnership with our community and must benefit our community. What began with residential only projects, has evolved into commercial and state of the art office projects that provide enormous opportunities for Morristown.
These opportunities are transforming our Town into one of the premier locations for people to live and work in all of New Jersey. Morristown has and will continue to work with all stakeholders, including and particularly our residents, to make redevelopment work for Morristown in the best way possible.
Statement from Council President Stefan Armington:
While Ms. Montes asked at the Council meeting about using the process of Initiative and Referendum to force a referendum vote on M Station, the petition process cannot be done on line to my knowledge, and i don’t believe it applies to redevelopment projects.
Her petition language makes several misleading statements to conclude elected officials are guilty of creating a food desert and environmental racism.
While the council is not involved in the displacement of tenants, I believe there remain many low cost high quality restaurants and food stores on Morris Street and the surrounding areas. The environmental requirements of this project are the same as for other site plan approvals.
With regard to her assertions of environmental impact, the project area does not include any steep slopes. The project would also reduce impervious surfaces by 0.1 acres over existing conditions and include green infrastructure that would further improve Stormwater retention, so flooding in the adjacent neighborhoods would be reduced over existing conditions .
The developer has requested a waiver from the Environmental Impact Statement requirements, beyond traffic and Stormwater. The planning board will likely ask about prior underground storage tanks and potential sources of contamination.
Traffic impacts will likely be the main interest of the planning board, from an environmental perspective.
Beyond those elements, I support Ms. Montes’ request for residents to attend the planning board meeting on March 5 to find out what is really being proposed and ask questions.
@Shannon Bullock, that’s unfortunate. I know that if she didn’t want to vote she could have opted to not do so. I honestly don’t know either the mayor or Ms Cotten personally so I can’t speak for them…the only thing I’m saying is that there are way more parties involved than just the mayor and her. Each of the council people is responsible for this change. If there werent a majority vote we couldn’t have this conversation. They should all be held accountable not just a couple
@ Charles – While I may not agree, I actually respect those arguments and concerns. Something at least we could have a conversation on now.
I can’t say enough times how gigantic this is and how small the road setbacks are. If you’re familiar with the area around the hospital, 95 Madison is the large cube of an office building. Imagine three buildings of roughly the same size and that’s the size of this development, but in that tiny bit of space (compared to the area by the hospital where there’s plenty of buffer space). Think about that – it is huge. At average rental rates of $30/SF/year, it will bring in around $9M/year in revenue (minus the retail space!) for the owners – a very, very healthy return on their investment. Enough so that it’s 1000% valid for the town and its residents to raise questions about whether this much space is even necessary. Scale it down, make it shorter, push it back from the road, do some real architecture that’s not 80’s Chic, put some of that future revenue into relocating people while the project happens, reserve some of the new space for retailers that serve the residents nearby that may only have their feet as a mode of transportation, and totally rethink parking.
Using rough guidelines, the less than 1/3 of the space the Deloitte will take up will mean they’re bringing roughly 500 employees and cars. There are less than 1,000 parking spots. These employees are moving from the Parsippany location, so these are not train commuters… Where do the other 2/3 of tenants park in this plan?
Even the 2008 version of the plan looks better than this mess.
Also that whole deal with the mayor being sued over the original site for Deloitte on South Street – this whole thing should be put on hold until that runs its course. Deloitte wanted that location and “things happened” and now the state AG is sniffing around town… I already lived through the FBI taking down a government when I lived in Hoboken. 🙂
Very interesting how there is more rational discussion here on this thread then at a Morristown town council meeting.
People are expressing views.
The elected officials say very little on too many things.
That’s not a good thing.
Thank you for the reporting Kevin.
@T Washington, before being elected to Town Council, Ms Cotten opposed this project. That’s a fact! Yes, many people supported her, however it appears she’s been flipped which often happens when someone without political experience is elected. The 2nd Ward needed a ” neighborhood voice” and many people put their faith in Ms Cotten. The fact that she voted last week to send this project to the planning board, when she wasn’t on the Council when it was approved is scary. The 2nd Ward didn’t have an elected official when it was approved by Council, and it almost appears they don’t have one now either
With the compressed schedule and legal requirements to submit new and/or revised information weeks before a hearing, I assume they are not expecting to request any revisions or additional information? If they do ask for more information, the applicants professionals will have to produce that information instantaneously. A pro applicant & development stance has its place, but this fast track and special treatment has got to be challenged, its going to be a rubber stamped sh-tshow of an approval
ON THE LOCAL SCENE: THE ”M”STATION PROJECT (IF YOU CAN CALL IT THAT) GENERATES REAL CONCERN FOR THE BUSINESSES AND NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE INVOLVED. THE LOSS OF GOODS, SERVICES AND INCOME TO MANY WHO LIVE AND WORK AT THESE LOCATIONS THAT ARE DESTINED TO BE TORN DOWN AND REBUILT AT A TIME YET TO BE DETERMINED. ALTHOUGH THE TOWN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE PROJECT, THERE APPARENTLY ARE MANY CRUCIAL DETAILS TO BE WORKED OUT. TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, NEW ROAD CONFIGURATIONS, PARKING PROBLEMS AND MORE STUDIES ON THE OVERALL EFFECT ON THE RESIDENTS. HOW CAN A PROJECT BE APPROVED WITH SO MANY QUESTIONS GOING UNANSWERED ?
AND UP UNTIL NOW, THE PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE NO SAY IN THE MATTER…..
WHERE ARE JEFFERSON, HAMILTON AND WASHINGTON WHEN WE NEED THEM ? THOMAS PAYNE IS DOWN BY BURNHAM PARK, HE WOULD HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS. DON’T THE PEOPLE KEEPING THE AREA FUNCTIONING HAVE A SAY? DOESN’T SEEM LIKE IT…
IT’S LIKE WHY WE LEFT ENGLAND…
“TAXATION WITH OUT REPRESENTATION
IS TYRANNY!
Initially it was stated that the next phase of hearings will be “compressed” because of vacation plan conflicts of certain members of the planning board. Which is insulting to the residents whose quality of life this project will affect.
However, we have learned that this plan has been fast tracked through the planning board approval process because, “The board agreed to expedited hearings because the project’s anchor tenant, the Big Four accounting firm Deloitte, gave the developers an April deadline to secure approvals”, board Chairman Joe Stanley said last week.
A redevelopment project of this magnitude deserves all the time it needs to ensure all aspects of the plan are looked at objectively and conforms to the goals and objectives in the towns master plan. If that can’t be accomplished satisfactorily in the next planned meetings, so be it.
There are several site plan approval applications still pending approval from last year. Why should this plan be any different?
This is ethically and morally unacceptable.
Morristown, we deserve better!
To those who have supported this poll of public opinion, thank you! See you all tonight at Morristown Town Hall 7pm.
lol @ Charles. You and your sockpuppets. Now I work at a PR firm according to you. Are you here with any of your own suggestions for improvement? Didn’t think so.
Instead of looking at these signatures on this petition full of complete nonsense and made up outrage terms, why don’t you or the other doom and gloomers answer my question about how can real estate prices continue to keep rising all throughout the development that has occurred if no one likes the development going on.
T. Washington said “Tim is the mayor and works at the pleasure of the council, not the other way around.” Sorry but this is not correct. Under the Optional Municipal Charter Law, the town become a “strong- mayor, council” form of government in 1972. The mayor is elected by the voters, not by the town council. Mayors in this system are vested with broad executive power.
I am not a Morristown resident. But I live adjacent to Morristown and visit frequently to shop, eat, drink, etc. I have family and friends that live in Morristown. I have lived with a few miles of Morristown for over 40 years. I spend money in Morristown as many people do. I don’t have a vote, nor a vocal say at a meeting. But I do have a say as a consumer of goods within the Town and where my money goes.
Don’t get me wrong, I like a cheap Burger King meal as much as anyone does. There is a Burger King a few miles away in Madison.
If all you are eating is $.99 burgers than you have bigger issues than “affordable eateries”. Go to ShopRite and what you would spend in a week at “affordable eateries” you can stock your pantry for a month!! Buy a $10 cookbook, although you most likely have the technology to Google a recipe, learn how to cook! It would be a lot healthier than “affordable eateries”.
If Shoprite is too far away, there are plenty of services that deliver groceries (fresh-not fried sandwiches) to your home for the same price or cheaper and bus services that can take you to the grocery store. If you cannot afford to go out to eat, then simply you don’t. That is common sense!!! I can’t afford to rely on restaurants to feed me all the time, it’s a special occasion!
When and where Morristown is attractive, it brings in outside money. Keep the stale, run-down buildings, areas, who wants to come to spend money. Again, I am not a landowner is Morristown, but I see what the big factor is, everyone that is against this project is afraid of their RENT going up. The landowners, taxpayers, visitors and people who utilize all aspects of the town, want this…such a stupid discussion!!!
@Charles, I think that’s a great idea. The amount of misinformation on the subject is at a disgraceful level.
https://morristowngreen.com/2020/02/13/tick-tick-tick-merchants-at-morristowns-strip-mall-face-uncertain-future-as-m-station-looms/
When you take away all the noise of the few sockpuppet PR accounts that post on here, there’s actual taxpayer/resident opposition to this.
There are more than 530 signatures on this petition now: https://click.e.change.org/f/a/0EDNnWg2JnbkJH9g4ZyWyw~~/AANj1QA~/RgRgQooCP4QKAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5nZS5vcmcvcC9tYXlvci10aW0tZG91Z2hlcnR5LXNheS1uby10by1tLXN0YXRpb24_Y3NfdGs9QXEzSUFmMjNXTzFYUG9MNVkxNEFBWGljeXl2TnlRRUFCRjhCdkQwR1V4bWpGRVpHX0o3eV92R1N2dUElM0QmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPTNkMGUxZTMyZDFmYTQ0ZDk4Y2Y4ZTgwNzAwMjM5NTliJnV0bV9jb250ZW50PWluaXRpYWxfdjBfMF8xJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1yZWNydWl0X3NpZ25fZGlnZXN0JnV0bV90ZXJtPWNzVwNzcGNCCgAhAgVgXvGifVBSGGNzcy1tc3RhdGlvbkBtb3JlZm9vLmNvbVgEAAAAAg~~
In other places where people are discussing this, there’s a very different balance of opinions and a lot less professional PR maneuvering going on.
Also, I ask again, can MG interview the shop owners directly to find out just what kind of help they’ve been promised vs. what they’re getting?
T Washington, I think you’re a troll! Actually think you’re using a fake name. Do you even live in Morristown? I kind of remember you commenting last year when “Hiding Hilairi” moved to Florida and was taking heat from her constituents. I don’t know about Kelly Montes, but I just know that our current mayor is involved in at least four lawsuits and that the second ward councilwoman Hillary Davis collected a paycheck from the taxpayers of the town of Morristown while she was residing in Florida. That’s illegal, it’s not about not liking anyone it’s about expecting them to do what we are paying them to do.
@Lorena, I was very happy when you asked me that on FB, and I responded exactly as you quoted me. I’m not sure what you mean about denial to the contrary. I don’t recall ever saying that I’m NOT working with the LL’s. Is that what you meant? I made a comment below that outlines what has transpired between the LL and I and that it’s ongoing. We all just got an extension so that changes things. I also elaborated on the wording in the petition and the problem that I have with that.
@Michael Dey you replied to my Facebook post last week when I asked you if you found another spot 🙏, you replied that you ” are working with the LL Developer” so all that denial to the contrary is just you blowing smoke up your LL’ ass
I’m confused Kelly, what does Tim and Hillary have to do with this conversation? Tim is the mayor and works at the pleasure of the council, not the other way around and Hillary isn’t even a council member anymore. After a little research, I’ve found that you, in fact, supported the person who replaced Hillary and she supports the MStreet project so what gives? I hope one day you will realize that you are taking advise from ridiculous people and it doesn’t make you look smart…just ignorant. So with your last statement, does that mean that the person you voted for in the last election is a choice you regret? I’m sure you’d be more effective if you found a way to work with the powers that be instead of just going against them for what seems like a witch Hunt.
Check out the corresponding Facebook thread for the Morristown Green story regarding the M Station Saturday planning board meetings. I kindly requested that the petitioner not destroy my credibility. Then she blows me off and her cronies chime in saying that judging by my profile picture, I come from extreme privilege and I’m suffering no loss from being displaced.
It’s perfectly obvious what’s going on here. A group of people want to torpedo the project and will say and do ANYTHING to accomplish that. And if you happen to disagree with them, then you’re nothing but a greedy, privileged racist. It’s all very disappointing.
Thank you Michael Dey for presenting FACTS
To answer your question about Motown deli space– there is a plan to put condos on that property. Not in the near future, though
Your representing yourself and a few other complainers in town, Kelly. Your argument here is completely nonsensical.
If you answered the question on why real estate prices continually rose and continue to do so despite all the town developments, and how the bars, restaurants and shops are becoming more and more crowded, you would understand that people are voting against what you are proposing with their wallets.
You’re right T Washington! I have all the time in the world to ensure the residents of the second ward are represented adequately throughout this planning process. That’s more than I can say for Tim and Hiliari.
I agree with Connor. It will only improve the aesthetic of the town. For years it’s been an unsightly blob and I for one am happy to see that finally there will be a change. As far as I can see, this lady, Kelly has a lot of time on her hands and is obviously the mouth piece of the few town haters that don’t like the mayor and are too cowardly to say these things themselves. It’s time for a change. I’ve been a resident in Morristown 2nd ward for 45 years and it’s time for a change.
I love how the tax amount is always stressed here, but without mentioning that as-is that same area already brings in over a quarter-million dollars. For that much extra square footage, ONLY $1M in taxes seems like someone is getting a deal, no?
66 Morris St costs MORRISTOWN SHOPPING CENTER LLC $135,700.00 annually in taxes
50 Spring Pl costs MORRISTOWN SHOPPING CENTER LLC $41,300.00 annually in taxes
9 Spring Pl costs SCOTTO HOLDING LLC $5,365.67 annually in taxes.
11 Spring Pl costs 11 SPRING PLACE LLC $7,599.00 annually in taxes.
13 Spring Pl costs 11 SPRING PLACE LLC $10,904.90 annually in taxes
15 Spring Pl costs 15 SPRING PLACE LLC $9,249.10 annually in taxes.
23 Spring St costs SPRING STREET, LLC $14,750.00 annually in taxes.
8 Spring Pl costs SPRING STREET LLC $4,552.00 annually in taxes.
19 Spring St costs CMB GROUP INC $9,145.00 annually in taxes.
@ Stephen – 4 years. Frequented it over the past 15 years before deciding I like the development and energy where the town is going, and decided to purchase a house.
So, we have a net loss of 3 places (likely to all be placed three fold in new spots..and this is Kelly’s cry for complete destruction of affordable eateries, despite having any answers to what I said. This is a joke.
Why isn’t what used to be the Morristown Deli on Elm Street (now empty) now being considered and used for one of the stores that must leave…OR is that entire area is being secretly considered for yet another super development in Morristown ??..so much of what happens in Morristown is done behind the scene and the public only learns about it when the plans are accepted and ready to be developed….Wait and see what happens there !!
I’m the owner of Fattys and I’m not “getting” a standalone location out of all of this. I’ve been presented with several options to relocate to various spaces around town, and so has everybody else that’s being displaced…none of which are free. I have not decided what I’m going to do yet. This petition alleges that I’ve been bought off by the developer in exchange for positive testimony and that is not the truth. There’s a tremendous amount of misinformation being circulated at the moment. Please stick to the facts.
Macho Nacho and Cluck U are actively looking or recently signed new deals to stay in town. Relaxxxx people all will be okay
Conner how long have you been a resident of Morristown?
@ Jerry, there isnt much Class A office space within a downtown like Morristown where people can walk out of the office for lunch, happy hour, client luncheons, etc, etc. And train transportation is an absolute key to cities developing – not even a point worth debating.
@ Kelly M – not sure how that’s related. What your comment on my questions?
Morristown has for a while been a tale of two cities. South St, opulent wining and dining and Morris St. small start ups and working class haunts. Did you arrive in by Jag or by bus determines your destination.
It seems ironic that with all the empty office space found in Morris County, (most of which is post millennial), that M Project is even a viable consideration. The faux presumption that train transportation is a key factor is pie in the sky rationale at best, note McKinsey leaving F.P. for Summit, (considered the last viable stop for NY commuters), or the tenuous fate of the Mt Olive Free Trade Zone development.
For we who relished the quirkiness and diversity of old Morristown it is another blow to what was once considered a charming, all inclusive, unique home.
Are you All idiots? Are you blind, stupid, and money hungry? I go to Tops China because I have a choice. My kids go to Macho Nacho because they HAVE (oh excuse me.. HAD) a choice. I’m thrilled that morristown pizza has a new home. And, lest we forget Burger King and Green Market? Give the current tenants the upper bunk, fellas. Don’t kick them out in favor of another $15 or more burger shop that I’m NOT GONNA PATRONIZE.
Hey Connor,
The fact that Fatty’s will have a standalone location through this development deal, while an actual health food grocery store becomes part of the net loss, bolsters the petitions’ food desert claim. Other net loss restaurants (Macho Nacho and Cluck U) offer popular dining options and affordable prices which are not served at any of the establishments you’ve mentioned. Good customers know that a plate of food at the Grasshopper should also come with a nice tip for the quality waiting service they provide. That should not be considered as an affordable eatery for low-income residents.
Ultimately, it’s not about just one or two restaurants, but since that’s your focus, I’ll leave it there.
There’s nothing transparent about covering up the fact that our then councilwoman moved to Florida when school dismissed. Therefore leaving her constituents high and dry and uninformed while this process was fast tracked and while she collected a tax payer funded stipend. How did the town do community outreach in the second ward. Our councilwoman certainly did not do any outreach from 1000 miles away. I showed up to meetings and asked questions, my concerns got shut down and denied.
This project will bring GREAT change to Morristown. There are VAST affordable eateries in town, and the current tenants are being given assistance with relocating. Cry me a river…
““an all-out” assault on low-income residents who rely on restaurants and shops being displaced.”
Absolutely absurd statement bringing nonsensical emotion into a decision. What is the net loss of affordable restaurants? Is saigon subs, the empanada place, the chinese restaurant, dunkin, the bagel shop, Pomodora pizza, Beenies ice cream, the new cafe next to Beenies, Tavern off the Green, and other food options literally right across the street, not affordable? Is a plate of food at the Grasshopper really not affordable?
What is it a net loss of 2, maybe 3, food storefronts that will likely be replaced with 5 new ones in new storefronts after the development in this area?
Can someone please answer this who signed the petition?