Judge Postpones Crossroads Mall Superior Court Hearing

For the second time this summer, a Superior Court case that will decide the fate of the Crossroads Town Center shopping development has been postponed.

According to a representative from the Bergen County Superior Court, a case filed by the Stop Mahwah Mall Committee of residents fighting the shopping development that was scheduled to be heard Friday morning has been postponed until September 21.

A representative from Judge Alexander Carver’s chambers said Thursday afternoon the Crossroads trial was postponed by the court due to a scheduling conflict. Carver will be continuing an ongoing hearing on a jury trial, which is what caused the postponement, the representative said.

Last May, the CSMM in an attempt to invalidate the township ordinance allowing for the shopping center to be built on the Crossroads property at the intersection of Routes 17 and 287. After CSMM prompting, the township one day after the developer filed a site plan for the center.

The Crossroads Developer filed a suit against the township in September, claiming the town council unlawfully rescinded the ordinances. Carver has consolidated the cases both the CSMM and the developer filed against the township, so both pending decisions will be made in one day.

According to attorney Michael Kates, who is representing the CSMM, the second delay in a court date is “very disappointing. Litigation is like going to war. You gear up, load your weapons, and then you have to stand down for over a month.”

“But this is the ebb and flow of litigation, and we will be ready with our presentation in September.”

Attorney Jim Jaworski, who represents the Crossroads Developer, said he is also disappointed in the postponement. He said he is “eager to put this last claim to rest.” Several other lawsuits surrounding the development have been settled out of court.

Jaworski said he is now looking forward to the September hearing. “The wheels of justice turn slowly, as always, and we need to learn to work within that.”

Read more about the legal history of the Crossroads Town Center cases .

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