Fanwood will be seeing several changes on South Avenue in 2013, including new businesses and cell towers, according the Zoning Officer Ray Sullivan's report during the Feb. 5 Fanwood Council Meeting. 

As Patch previously reported, Mara’s Café will be the first business to occupy the currently vacant first level of Fanwood Crossing at the corner of Martine and South Avenue. The over 3,000 square foot café and bakery will offer breakfast, desserts, pastries, bread, quiches and more. The Café is hoping it can serve as a place for families and a place where people can sit down and talk with no television, owner Marci Semel said.

Also coming to South Avenue is a wood burning pizzeria in the former location of the Cavtro Electric building.

Additionally on South Avenue 74 South Avenue, the location of Creative Habitats is the subject of a subdivision on an unusual shaped lot, Sullivan said.

The Borough will also see two new cell towers, both temporary, at 50 South Avenue and One South Avenue.

During Sandy, the A&P on South Avenue suffered damage to its signage and the Borough will be working with the store to get a new sign, which will fit in the slot of the old one.

Councilman Anthony Parenti added toward the end of the meeting that the Borough is looking to install a digital sign outside of the municipal building and if they are able to do it at the cost put forth by the current bidding company, they are also looking to install a “Welcome to Fanwood” sign on South Avenue when leaving Plainfield.

Sullivan stated that the South Avenue corridor would be heavily focused on in 2013.


In addition to the changes coming to South Ave., Sullivan provided the council with his annual report of the Zoning Office's figures for 2012:

• 28% increase of operational tasks
• 21% increate of field visits
• 37% increase in office visitation
• 144 residential complaints (average)
• 484 zoning reviews (417 residential, 66 commercial)

Overall,  Sullivan stated the Zoning department created $4,500 in revenue from permits for the year.