Town CrierWest Orange, New Jersey
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Minutes · Jul 11, 2018

July 11, 2018

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Rosary Morelli, Ralph Road, West Orange Sally Malanga, Ridge Road, West Orange Kevin Malanga, 57 Ridge Road, West Orange Harvey Grossman, Esq., Public Advocate There were no further comments from the Public. Chairman Bagoff closed the public hearing; the Board deliberated. Vice Chairman Weston stated the Board heard many questions from the Public concerning the Redevelopment process, but few specific questions about the parcel. He stated he understood the Public skepticism about redeveloping just one parcel; he agreed he would like to see a comprehensive Plan for the entire Redevelopment Area. He likened the Plan to the Redevelopment Plan for the former Organon site. He opined the office building was the most viable of the Executive Drive properties; he recommended approving the Plan to keep the Office Building Zone and improve the existing building. He stated (the property owner) would come back before the Board with a detailed site plan application for the property. He stated he saw no harm in approving the Plan for office building improvements based on the commercial and economic benefits Ms. Gruel discussed in the draft Plan. He stated the Board should add specific language; the Redevelopment Plan should follow all recommendations of the most recent version of the 2010 Master Plan Sustainability Element, Complete Streets and Circulation Element. The Plan should discuss connecting the Executive Drive parcel(s) with the rest of the parcels designated in the Redevelopment Area. Council President McCartney stated she was surprised the Plan was for just one parcel; however, it did represent an excellent start to Redevelopment of the entire designated Redevelopment Area. Captain Keigher stated he was not comfortable with moving forward with just one parcel without knowing the Plan for the entire Redevelopment Area. He stated he did not understand why the Board was considering a Plan for just one office building; he opined the Board needed more information before moving forward; he wanted to see the entire Plan to see how this one component fit in to an overall Redevelopment Plan. Mr. Trenk stated he agreed with Council President McCartney; the Plan would start the Redevelopment process of the entire area; the Plan would permit an existing office building to attract new tenants and bring new tax ratables to the Township. Mr. Wegner stated he was not

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ld start the Redevelopment process of the entire area; the Plan would permit an existing office building to attract new tenants and bring new tax ratables to the Township. Mr. Wegner stated he was not comfortable without seeing the entire Plan for the Redevelopment Area, the associated costs, and impact to the taxpayers. Mr. Cardoza acknowledged the concern of the Public; he stated he agreed with Vice Chairman Weston’s suggested revisions. He opined the Plan met the statutory requirements under the law. Mr. McPherson stated updating the office building was a smart Redevelopment Plan; he acknowledged the Plan was just one piece of the overall Redevelopment Area; including the revisions suggested by Vice Chairman Weston, he was comfortable with the Plan.

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Chairman Bagoff addressed the Public; he stated this was not the first time the Board had considered a Redevelopment Plan. He gave a brief recapitulation of the steps involved in the process of formulating and adopting a Redevelopment Plan. He stated that at each step in the process the Public was permitted to comment. He noted the Downtown Main Street, Organon and Valley Residential Redevelopment Plans had been adopted in segments. He advised the Public that Ms. Gruel did not view the inside of the office building because it was not required under the law. He stated that after a Plan had been adopted, a detailed site plan application would still be required to be heard by the Board. Vice Chairman Weston recommended Ms. Gruel revise the Plan to include changes focused primarily on including sustainability and green design features, and specific circulation standards consistent with the Township Master Plan including sidewalks, ADA compliancy, and Complete Streets measures. He suggested the recommendation also include a statement that going forward, the Board see a comprehensive Plan for the rest of the Redevelopment Area before considering sending any further recommendations to the Council. Chairman Bagoff thanked the Public for their participation. The Board voted on the Recommendation Motion: Vice Chairman Weston Second: Mr. Cardoza Cardoza Yes Wegner: No Keigher: No Weston: Yes Klein: Absent Wilkes: Absent McCartney: Yes Bagoff: Yes McPherson: Yes Trenk: Yes MEETING ADJOURNED at approximately 9:43 P.M. Minutes adopted September 5, 2018. <_ 4p— Robin Miller, Secretary Township of West Orange Planning Board THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING BOARD WILL BE WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 3, 2018 AT 7:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER.

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