The controversial Essex House proposal appeared to hit a snag Tuesday as the West Orange planning/zoning board pulled the project from its Thursday night meeting agenda, Patch has learned.

"I find it very disconcerting that all of a sudden we're getting a lot of attention and people are enthused and galvanized about this and at the 11th hour, it's moved," said Hannah Nehrbauer, 35, of West Orange, who lives in the St. Cloud area.

Susan Borg, township planning director, confirmed the item was removed from the agenda.

"It will be carried to the August meeting," she said. Borg said the reason for the move was to allow the applicants more time to review their plan to make sure it is in compliance with a new ordinance passed by township council.

Nehrbauer said she just found out in the last few months that the owner of the property plans to demolish the existing restaurant and allegedly put up a strip mall.

"I know the people of St. Cloud and many of them don't want to see that happen," she said. "They have seen plans on file by the town. It involved pushing the parking lot way back and changing traffic patterns, as well as cutting into the existing hillside, removing trees and drastically changing the landscape."

James Markouris, one of two owners listed on plans for Essex House, which is filed under MBP Incorporated, did not return calls seeking comment. A woman who answered the phone Tuesday at the Essex House number listed on their website, said, "Everyone is on vacation." Other calls to reach Markouris went unanswered. A Patch reporter said the Essex House was locked up and no one answered the door.

The Essex House is a restaurant at 525 Northfield Ave. It also provides catering services, according to its website.

Continue to check West Orange Patch for updates throughout the day Wednesday as this story unfolds.

If you'd like your voice to be heard on this subject, e-mail us.