Zoning Board OKs Request for Sports Training School

Zoning Board President Robert Iracane offered up a moment to recall the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks before starting  the board's Wednesday night meeting at Town Hall. Ultimately, the Zoning Board of Adjustment gave approval to a space variance for a sports training school in Parsippany.

Pinnacle Athletic Development plans to use a portion of a warehouse at 915 Edwards Road for its project. Managing member Charles M. "Mike" Kennedy III spoke before the board, and told of his background as a 49-year Parsippany resident with 28 years as a police officer under his belt. A year and a half ago, he said, he retired, and now, his focus is teaching kids about sports.

"Our program will enhance athletic ability, speed, agility, strength conditioning and will cover students from age 9 to collegiate," he said. "It's not a health club or a membership."

The school would go into a freestanding warehouse approximately 4,00 square feet in area. Kennedy said the plan is to divide the space in half. One half of the interior would be covered in field turf or carpet. The other half would feature a rubber floor.

Kennedy testified before the ZBA that his school would be a small one, with approximately one instructor for every six to 10 students (most classes would be limited to 10 students) and likely fewer than 20 people on the premises at any given time. That figure comes into play because of Pinnacle's variance request to the ZBA: Local ordinance requires an enterprise such as this to sit on at least five acres; the Edwards Road site has a area of about 1.1 acre.

The board questioned Kennedy about parking availability on the site and learned there is a total of about 14 spaces. He said that given the school's small size, the parking situation would be manageable.

Board member Brian Kelley asked if there was space for a waiting room for parents. Kennedy said no, but member Michele Jennrich spoke up and brought the Council Chamber audience to laughter with a quip: "I wouldn't want to wait in a room with sweaty boys."

Professional planner John McDonough testified on Pinnacle's behalf, reminding the board that the site had won variances previously. President Iracane concurred, saying that a lease application site plan had been approved in October 2004. A second variance was okayed two years after that.

MeConough testified that Pinnacle's site sits in a mixed use area that ranges from commercial to multifamily housing. He pointed to the woodland surrounding the property and providing buffer between it and its neighbors. 

"This is a small-scale operation with modest attendance and few employees," the planner said. "It promotes health-oriented land use that benefits the community. I believe it merits a variance."

The ZBA agreed, giving the request its unanimous approval.

The board also heard testimony from Corigliano Towing at 30 Intervale Road. The already operating business wants to win a variance to allow the parking, storage and towing of vehicles.  

A number of Intevale area residents appeared to have concerns answered regarding the project. They were invited to return Jan. 4, when the board is expected to take up the matter of the Corigliano project again.