Fanwood Officials Address SoHo Building Safety Concerns

Fanwood Borough Council heard reassurances about the safety and code compliance of the SoHo building at 282 South Avenue during the August 10 borough council meeting. Mayor Colleen Mahr asked the borough's construction and fire officials to address concerns that had been raised online and at several prior council meetings about fire access, rear fire lane design, and other features at the property.

Union County Life covers civic proceedings, municipal government, and building oversight across all 21 Union County municipalities, including Fanwood.

Official Inspections and Assessment

Construction Official Frank Spallone, who has served Fanwood through a shared-services agreement with Rahway since 2017, told the council there were "definitely no life safety issues" at the property. Spallone has issued the building a temporary certificate of occupancy, which allows the property to be occupied while final construction-related requirements are completed.

The property has undergone numerous inspections by Fanwood's plumbing, fire, electrical, and building sub-code officials, according to Spallone's report.

Fire Access and Code Compliance

Fire Official Tom Scalera, who has held that role since 1996, visited the building before the Monday evening meeting to personally assess conditions. When Mayor Mahr asked directly about concerns regarding fire lane and fire access at the rear of the property, Scalera replied clearly: "No, I have no concerns at this time."

Scalera detailed the fire access configuration. The 2015 code requires a 20-foot fire lane. Scalera requested additional width for emergency operations, and the resulting access is approximately 23 feet wide—exceeding the code minimum.

Scalera said the area provides sufficient room for firefighters to work around fire apparatus and gain access to the building with ground ladders if necessary.

Emergency Access Testing

Scalera described a test involving neighboring fire departments to validate the rear access configuration. "The Scotch Plains fire department had the Scotch Plains ladder truck with Frank over there and John Piccola, the fire chief, and they got it in the driveway and did the operation," he said.

The test—involving Scotch Plains Fire Chief John Piccola and equipment operation in the driveway—confirmed that emergency apparatus could navigate and operate in the fire lane area. Cooperation with neighboring fire departments is a factor in evaluating site emergency readiness.

Official Accountability and Future Standards

Scalera stated he has required changes when conditions at the site have presented problems. He specifically referenced a fence and said he would require it to be removed if additional violations occur, indicating ongoing oversight and willingness to enforce compliance.

Community Concerns and Democratic Process

Gary Morris, a write-in candidate for Fanwood Borough Council, has raised concerns at governing-body meetings and in the Facebook group "Fanwood Residents Against Overdevelopment." Morris has questioned the configuration and length of the fire lane, the use of a utility aisle, the need for a truck turnaround area, and the placement of landscaping and other features in areas used for emergency access.

Morris has also raised concerns about clearance beneath a bar near 40 South, an ADA parking space, and exposed waste pipes. He has argued that potential obstructions or inadequate clearances present problems for emergency vehicles and that future projects should provide greater clearance for fire trucks and their outriggers.

Morris's persistent public concerns at council meetings prompted Mayor Mahr to bring Spallone and Scalera into the discussion, demonstrating the borough's responsiveness to resident questions.

Official Findings

The two officials told the council their inspections and evaluation of emergency access had not identified a current life-safety issue at the property. Their comments addressed life safety and emergency access but did not respond point-by-point to every design concern raised during the meeting.

No representatives of the SoHo development spoke during Monday's discussion.

Borough Leadership Response

Mayor Mahr summarized the borough's position at the meeting's conclusion: "When things are brought to our attention that may be a problem, we actually listen, and we investigate."

This statement reflects Fanwood's approach to development oversight: taking resident concerns seriously and requiring official evaluation by qualified code enforcement and emergency services personnel.

Building Development Context

The SoHo building represents commercial development at 282 South Avenue in Fanwood's downtown corridor. Development projects in downtown areas often generate community discussion and questions about design, emergency access, parking, and pedestrian safety—issues that Morris and other residents have raised in this case.

The August 10 council discussion represents an example of that democratic engagement, with residents raising specific concerns that prompted official review and clarification from qualified municipal officials.

Find more Fanwood municipal news, building oversight, and civic governance on Union County Life.

7. FAQ

Q: What concerns were raised about the SoHo building?
A: Community members raised questions about fire access, the rear fire lane configuration, utility aisle placement, truck turnaround needs, landscaping placement, clearance under structures, ADA parking, and exposed pipes.

Q: Is the SoHo building at 282 South Avenue safe?
A: Yes. Fanwood's construction official and fire official both stated there are no life safety issues at the property. Fire access meets code requirements and emergency vehicles can operate in the fire lane.

Q: How wide is the fire lane?
A: The fire lane is approximately 23 feet wide. The 2015 code requires a minimum of 20 feet, so the actual width exceeds the requirement.

Q: Was the fire access tested?
A: Yes. The Scotch Plains Fire Department tested the rear access area with their ladder truck to verify emergency apparatus could navigate and operate in the space.

Q: Who is Frank Spallone?
A: Fanwood's Construction Official, serving since 2017 through a shared-services agreement with Rahway.

Q: Who is Tom Scalera?
A: Fanwood's Fire Official, serving since 1996.

Q: What certificate of occupancy status does the building have?
A: The building has a temporary certificate of occupancy, which allows it to be occupied while final construction-related requirements are completed.

Q: Who raised the safety concerns?
A: Gary Morris, a write-in candidate for Fanwood Borough Council, raised questions at council meetings and on social media through the "Fanwood Residents Against Overdevelopment" Facebook group.

Q: Will the fire official continue to monitor the building?
A: Yes. Fire Official Scalera stated he will require changes if additional violations occur and retains oversight authority.