February 6, 2013

Marybeth Russell, 20 Oak Crest Road, stated she was concerned about the fumes and noise generated by buses parking in the area. Councilwoman McCartney acknowledged that when the County Fair was held in the area there were a lot of parking issues; currently the Township had an anti-idling ordinance in place. Mr. Gurland stated that potentially eight-hundred students would be at the facility. Mr. Eben state the County must be able to accommodate all occupants. Mr. Heller asked if it was fair to say that the parking lot would be able to accommodate all vehicles for special events. Mr. Piga answered in the affirmative. Mr. Grossman asked if the Archery Field would be used for parking. Mr. Fleder said the County Engineer could answer the question. Sangeev Varghese, Essex County Engineer and Director of Public Works, was sworn in and accepted by the Board to be an expert witness. Mr. Fleder asked Mr. Varghese if a traffic study had been done, and if he could explain the configuration of the proposed traffic lights. Mr. Varghese said a traffic study had been done; and that two different traffic lights would be installed with synchronized timing. He described the proposed pedestrian drop-off. Mr. Varghese said the parking lot was an existing lot that would continue to be open to the public and all town ordinances would be observed. Larger groups using the facility would be issued a permit from the Essex County Department of Parks. The parking lot would be able to accommodate buses for large group events. Mr. Fieder said that during the Planning Board Technical Review Subcommittee meeting, there was a question regarding the lack of a fire hydrant in the plan; was a fire hydrant necessary for this proposed plan. Mr. Piga said that the proposal was typical to that found in similar parks; the Fire Sub-code Official had advised that the reservoir could be utilized and there was access for a fire truck. Councilwoman McCartney inquired if there were plans to have parking on the other side of Cherry Lane. Mr. Varghese said there were no plans. Mr. Gurland asked who was responsible for the area's security. Mr. Varghese said the County Sheriff's office. Mr. Eben stated there was some testimony regarding the signage; he said he was concerned about the continued banner signage along the route that was totally against the Township's sign ordinance. Mr. Varghese said he

there was some testimony regarding the signage; he said he was concerned about the continued banner signage along the route that was totally against the Township's sign ordinance. Mr. Varghese said he had no say over the signage. Mr. Grossman referred to the open area shown on the plan and inquired if the area would be used for parking. If it were used for parking would it not degrade the quality of the field. Mr. Varghese said it was not a designated parking area; and that yes, the field would be degraded if used for parking but the County makes every effort to preserve the open space. The area would be reseeded when necessary. Mr. Fleder interjected that the questioning had nothing to do with the Application. Chairman Bagoff stated that Mr. Fleder’s concern was noted. NAPLANNING. BRO\WPIMINUTES\2013\2-6-13 Minutes.doc 7

Mr. Robert Rashkes, 35 Oak Crest Road, asked if there was an emergency phone in the area. Mr. Varghese said no. Derek Cocovinis, 48 Baxter Lane, asked about trash collection; how would it be monitored; he also asked if there were any plans for dredging the reservoir. Mr. Varghese said that within the boundaries of the project area, the County would be doing trash collection. The City of Orange was responsible for their property. Mr. Varghese said there was no plans to dreg the reservoir and that issue was out of the scope of the Application. Chairman Bagoff inquired as to what was the schedule for garbage pick up. Mr. Fleder said that Dr. Goodman, Director of Turtle Back Zoo, would be managing the project and was present to testify regarding operations. Dr. Jeremy Goodman, Director, Turtle Back Zoo was sworn in an accepted by the Board to be an expert witness. Dr. Goodman said that trash pickup would be done once daily. The hours of operation would be 10:00 A.M. to % hour before dusk. The facility would be closed during winter and inclement weather. The Zoo staff would run the facility; the staff would be trained in water safety. Mr. Eben stated the Zoo staff was responsible to perform the daily clean up, but a member of the public said that cleaning up was not being done on a daily basis. Mr. Eben said that although Mr. Piga said there would be a mop sink, the plan did not indicate it; he doubted one would be provided since there was no connecting walk between the restroom and mechanical area at the other side of the structure. Councilwoman McCartney stated that 500,000 people were visiting the zoo annually. She asked if storing the boats in the water overnight would create an unsafe condition. Dr. Goodman said it was standard to leave the boats chained up overnight; there would be a regular sheriff patrol, and the boats weighed a great deal. Suzanne Robinson, 34 Dogwood Drive, asked if life preservers would be required and would there be an emergency boat. Dr. Goodman answered in the affirmative. Testimony concluded; the Board deliberated on the Application. Mr. Eben said he really enjoyed the Complex. He was concerned that the County continued to retain the wrong persons to design the facilities. He said the restrooms must conform to code; he questioned if a pre-fabrication company in Oregon was aware of New Jersey laws. Councilwoman McCartney

etain the wrong persons to design the facilities. He said the restrooms must conform to code; he questioned if a pre-fabrication company in Oregon was aware of New Jersey laws. Councilwoman McCartney said she was concerned about ADA compliancy and the proposed traffic signals. Mr. Heller opined the County did a good job with the projects and maintaining the facilities. Mr. Grossman stated that each project taken separately enhanced the property but the original purpose of the reservation was to have a wild state for all surrounding communities. The surrounding area had been negatively impacted by the projects. NAPLANNING. BROIWPIMINUTES|2013\2-6-13 Minutes.doc 8

The reservation should be kept in a wild state. The area was overdeveloped; it had negatively impacted the Dogwood area and the St. Cloud area. He asked that the Board deny the Application and send a message to the County. Mr. Robert Rashkes, 35 Oak Crest Road, thanked Mr. Dwyer for his recommendation that the Applicant notice area residents. He then read a prepared statement. Recommendations: 1. County should ensure that the design and capacity of the rest room facilities are both ADA compliant and sufficient to serve the proposed number of visitors; 2. The County stipulated and agreed to comply with the Township anti-idling ordinance, with the requirement for shade trees in the parking lot pursuant to West Orange ordinance Section 25-12.1(p) and with applicable laws regarding installation of water cooling/drinking fountains; 3. The County agrees to withdraw its prior plans for a similar boat launch facility which was previously reviewed by this Board in May, 2012; 4. In addition to following all applicable building code requirements, the County shall also comply with the County Master Plan for the Turtle Back Zoo Recreation Complex. Chairman Bagoff called for a vote on the Application. The Board voted on the Application as follows: Motion: Chairman Bagoff Second: Vice Chairman Heller Carlucci: Y Eben: N Ghebremicael: - Gurland: Y Heller: Y Klein: Y Lester: - McCariney: Y Weston: - Wilkes II: - Bagoff: Y MEETING ADJOURNED at approximately 9:36 P.M. Minutes adopted March 6, 2013 a Robin Miller, Planning Board Secretary Township of West Orange *“*THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING BOARD WILL BE APRIL 3, 2013 AT 7:30 P.M. IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS* N\PLANNING, BRD\WP\MINUTES\201312-6-13 Minutes.doc 9