Sport Domain Academy hearing reaches public comment – NorthJersey.com

While the public was invited to speak about a company’s desire to move its sports training academy to Cedar Grove, the session abruptly ended after the first comment.

Attorney Guido Weber, representing his parents who reside on Anderson Parkway near the proposed location of the Sport Domain Academy, does not believe an open air soccer field is supposed to be erected in the area.

According to Weber, the second principle use variance that Sport Domain Academy is applying for was intended for brick buildings, and the term “recreational facilities” does not accurately apply to the proposed field.

Sport Domain Academy wants to construct a seasonally-enclosed turf field facility for sport training and soccer activities, which would occur in a dome during the winter months. Concerns about the lengthy hours of operation, lights shining into homes, noise levels from games and whistles, and the close proximity to the Anderson Parkway neighborhood have troubled residents and board members.

Zoning Board member James Caporrino could not ignore Weber’s claim, and fellow board members agreed that they should consult with Township Planner Jason Kasler, who was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.

Michael D. Sullivan, the attorney representing Sport Domain Academy, said he would bring back a consulting planner to the future meeting, scheduled for Nov. 10.

This was the third meeting dedicated to the project, after meetings in August and September featured the testimony of Frank Matarazzo, the site plan engineer, Sport Domain Academy owner Ashley Hammond, consultant planner Peter Steck, and Donato Fraoli, the CEO of the dome enclosure company.

Matarazzo, who presented two plans at the last meeting in September, presented a new iteration of the proposal Tuesday, including an accurate position of a township sewer easement, which alleviated the need for a variance.

The new plans also included steel bollards on the side of the field nearest the parking lot so when the dome is up, it would be safe from cars and trucks. Now, the facility does not encroach into a Sand Park Road warehouse and loading area thanks to the newfound position of the easement, Matarazzo said.

Joseph Hercog, president of Noble Gift Packaging, gave testimony regarding the warehouse’s operations at the Sand Park Road site, including how much parking they utilize, hours of operation and the company’s intentions to move in the future. Hercog said they do not intend to vacate the warehouse anytime soon, and they rarely, if ever use more than 30 parking spaces.

Email: moroses@northjersey.com