April 3, 2013

Mr, Klein asked what was planned for the old (existing) Education Center. Mr. Fleder advised that question could be answered by Dr. Goodman, the Director of Turtle Back Zoo. Harvey Grossman, Public Advocate, asked where buses would be stored after drop off. Mr. Fleder advised the question could be answered by Dr. Goodman. Dr. Jeremy Goodman, Director of Turtle Back Zoo, was sworn in and accepted by Board to be an expert witness. Dr. Goodman testified that the buses would be parked in the existing lot on Cherry Lane; and the County was currently negotiating for additional parking across Northfield Avenue, opposite the Zoo. The existing Education Center would continue to be used for educational programs, birthday parties, and the summer camp program. Dr. Goodman stated that the issue of safety was a primary reason for the new Education Center; there would be a system of safety lights, and buses would no longer be idling in the parking lots. Mr. Grossman stated that the bus parking facility would be located on Cherry Lane; he opined that between thirty and forty buses would be in the reservation per day. He asked if the buses would be stored within or outside of the Reservation. Dr. Goodman said the buses would be stored within the Reservation. Dr. Bagoff advised Mr. Grossman that the storing of buses on Cherry Lane were part of a previously approved Application; there would be no additional black top paving in that area of the Reservation. Chairman Bagoff asked if the Public had any questions for Dr. Goodman. Robert Rashkes, 35 Oak Crest Road, stated he had counted sixty-four buses in the existing parking lot. He said the previous Application indicated that there might be ample space during the week, but the weekends would be a challenge. Dr. Goodman said he had never seen that number of buses in the lot. Chairman Bagoff reminded Mr. Rashkes that Dr. Goodman would not be answering questions to testimony from the previous Application. Chairman Bagoff indicated the Public could comment on the Application. Robert Rashkes, 35 Oak Crest Road, thanked Mr. Dwyer for his recommendation regarding public noticing. He recommended the County build a Green multi-tiered parking garage. He opined the County was not prepared to handle the traffic generated by the Zoo visitors; he was concerned that Northfield Avenue was an important route for emergency vehicles; the

ed parking garage. He opined the County was not prepared to handle the traffic generated by the Zoo visitors; he was concerned that Northfield Avenue was an important route for emergency vehicles; the increased traffic could create hazardous traffic backups. He requested the Education Center be put in a different location; he requested that members of the Public be included in planning future projects. Harvey Grossman, Public Advocate, thanked the County for their presentation. He opined that all the facilities were first-rate. However, the focus of the presentation was solely internal and did not take in to account the impact on West Orange as a whole. He said three neighborhoods were impacted in a detrimental manner; Dogwood, Olmsted and St. Cloud areas. He opined that as the County projects grew; it would remove the open space and forest, creating a negative impact on NAPLANNING. BRD\WP\MINUTES\2073\4-3-13 Minutes. doc 9