Board Approves School for Autistic Adults

At a productive meeting Thursday night, the Paramus Board of Adjustment approved three separate applications for variances, including the construction of a new building at the Alpine Learning Group on Paramus Road, an addition to a home on Birch Lane and the construction of a pool behind a home on Myrna Road.

The Alpine Learning Group, a well-known school for autistic students, was the only applicant to have any controversy over their request. Several neighbors of the school said their homes began flooding after the construction of the first building in 1998 and that the plan to build a second could make the problem worse.

“We have an easement in the back that never had sitting water in it, that has sitting water in it most of the year now,” said Michelle Rubin, a neighbor.

However, engineer Daniel LaMothe said that the flooding was most likely caused by the nearby Saddle River, which borders the Alpine Learning Group’s property. About half of the property is unusable because it is a flood plain for the river.

Neighbors were still skeptical.

“Obviously what they did to divert [the river] was not sufficient,” said Andrea Callison, another neighbor.

Board of Adjustment Chairman Steve Sullivan suggested the neighbors contact the Department of Environmental Protection with their grievances, as the plan will require their approval as well.

The Alpine Learning Group’s new building will be used for autistic adults who have graduated from the school and wish to continue with a program to continue their education and provide them with employment elsewhere in the community.