Whole Foods Market Proposal Focus of Mt. Lakes Discussion

The proposal to develop the wooded Waterview Plaza and place a Whole Foods Market and a townhome community there has sparked heated debate in Parsippany. And it appears there are concerns about the project in nearby Mountain Lakes as well.

The Mountain Lakes Borough Council met Monday night in executive (closed) session to discuss a resolution concerning "possible litigation/negotiation relating to [the] development plan of [the] adjacent municipality."

Borough Manager Robert Tovo told Patch that "this [was] simply a discussion," and no action was taken.

Tovo would not comment further on the matter, except to say that more will be known once the discussion goes before the public. He said an open council session allowing the public to hear about and weigh in on the Waterview proposal will be scheduled in the near future.

Under the prospective plan before the Planning Board, a 26-acre mixed-use development including retail establishments including the high-end Whole Foods Market, other merchants (Target has been rumored) and a community of 72 upscale, three-story townhouses.

Numerous Parsippany residents, mostly from the Intervale area, have packed Town Hall to speak out against the project at two recent Planning Board meetings. Citizens cited concerns regarding the proposal, including the problems they fear will come from increased traffic, school overcrowding, the possibility of crime and other quality of life issues.

The Planning Board, after hearing testimony on the application, will make a recommendation to the Parsippany Township Council, which ultimately will decide whether the development will go forward.