The Crossroads Development has dominated the local conversation in Mahwah for the past 9 months. In recent years, Crossroads Developers had submitted several proposals to develop the site, only to see them rejected by the Mahwah Township Council. Last March, the Developer once again approached the Council to request that its property be converted from office use to mixed use/retail to allow for the construction of a complex of retail shops, restaurants, a cinema, a hotel and office space. More than 400 residents attended the March 31 meeting to voice their opposition to the development. This unprecedented turnout from Mahwah residents, unlike anything seen before, should have been enough for the Council to realize that the decision to rezone the property may not be in the best interests of Mahwah residents. Instead, the Council voted 4-2 to allow rezoning of the property. The Committee to Stop Mahwah Mall, a group of grassroots citizens concerned about this perceived miscarriage of justice, formed in response to the new zoning. The Committee worked over the next few months to gather signatures for a petition asking the City to hold a non-binding referendum on the November ballot. Additionally, the Committee raised enough money to retain an attorney, Michael Kates, who filed a lawsuit against the Council on behalf of the Committee. Since the March 31 Council meeting, the issue has become more controversial and complicated. The council voted Sept. 1 to revoke approval of the new zoning. However, the developer submitted its proposed plan for the site a day early, which, under a new state law, allows commercial zoning. The “application moment” l...... half of the document ...... development. While I personally support development, I respect the Committee's opposition to development. As a resident and voter, I find it appalling that the Council ignored the concerns of so many residents in their vote to rezone the property. The entire rezoning process was a haphazard, schizophrenic mess. I believe the best course of action for the City should have been to hold a non-binding referendum before the Council voted on the new zoning. Hopefully, the Council has realized the mistakes it has made and will conduct the future activities of the Township in a much better manner. Finally, regardless of how the Superior Court rules on the matter, I hope the Committee remains involved in the planning and development process. Only with proactive community involvement will the Crossroads development become a great place for all Mahwah residents to enjoy.