September 5, 2018

the area; the County wanted something with more character. Vice Chairman Weston asked for clarification regarding the proposed lighting for the garage; would the lighting be internal only; he voiced concern about lighting spillage in the area of the reservoir. Mr. Alvarez stated there would be both internal and external lighting; wall mounted exterior fixtures would be installed at the entrances and exits; he stated the lights would be for the immediate area but would have some spillage; but he did not know exactly how much. Vice Chairman Weston stated the structure would be over 240 feet long and approximately 50 feet from the reservoir; he reiterated his concern about light spillage. Vice Chairman Weston asked for clarification regarding the types of materials to be stored in the ground level storage area; he asked Mr. Alvarez to confirm the storage would conform to all building code specifications. Mr. Alvarez stated the issue had already been discussed with the Department of Consumer Affairs. Mr. Klein asked how the County had chosen the proposed location for the parking deck, and how was it determined that 516 additional parking spaces were necessary; he wondered if the County knew if the proposed parking deck would be manageable since there was not an updated Zoo Master Plan or traffic study. He asked if the County knew if the proposed configuration of the driveway ingress/egress configuration would be adequate to accommodate the additional 516 vehicles entering and exiting the site. He stated Parking Deck #2 had been erected on top of an existing parking lot; he asked Mr. Alvarez how the new site had been chosen; was there a reason why the new location would not be erected on top of the existing ground parking lot. He asked if a study had been done to look at the driveway, would the two (2) means of egress remain sufficient. Mr. Alvarez stated there was currently a core (parking) area from the existing main entrance to the reservoir; he stated the core area would be overwhelmed with the addition of another parking structure. Mr. Alvarez stated the County conveyed the requirement was for a minimum number of 516 parking spaces. Mr. Fleder stated it was the County and the Zoo management that expressed the need for a minimum of 516 parking spaces; he stated that part of the goal was to eliminate or severely limit the use of off-site parking and shuttle

he County and the Zoo management that expressed the need for a minimum of 516 parking spaces; he stated that part of the goal was to eliminate or severely limit the use of off-site parking and shuttle bus arrangements. He stated he would try to get a better answer from the County; but overall, the decision was made to erect a parking structure to accommodate a meaningful number of vehicles. He stated that French & Parrello would provide further testimony about the driveway. Mr. Klein asked if the proposed drainage could be reconfigured so that run-off did not go in to the reservoir; he voiced concern that the parking deck would create a large impervious area that did not currently exist. Mr. Alvarez gave a recapitulation of the drainage; he stated there would be less run-off with the new system than that of current conditions. Mr. Wilkes stated that without a completed traffic study, he was concerned about the additional number of vehicles on-site. He asked for clarification regarding the ground level parking spaces to be eliminated. Mr. Alvarez stated the parking spaces adjacent to the (Arena) building would be eliminated to create a third lane for the driveway. Mr. Wilkes asked how vehicles would enter the parking structure; where would the handicap spaces be located; where would the elevator be located. Mr. Alvarez explained the vehicles would 7

enter a ramp directly to the second level of the parking structure; handicap spaces would be available on all levels; the structure would be entirely ADA compliant. Mr. Cardoza asked if there would be total net gain of over 500 new on-site parking spaces, including the spaces removed for the additional driveway lane. Mr. Alvarez stated there were currently 1,157 parking spaces, after the renovation there would be a total of 1,635 parking spaces for a net gain of 478 parking spaces. Mr. Cardoza asked for clarification regarding the length of the re-routed train path; would the path be shortened; would the wait and ride times for passengers remain the same; would there be additional changes to the train route at a future date. Mr. Alvarez stated the path would not be shortened; he stated the new path length was approximately equivalent to the existing path. Mr. Alvarez stated the patron wait/ride time would remain the same. Mr. Alvarez stated he was not aware of any future changes to the train route. Mr. Cardoza asked Mr. Alvarez to confirm there was not a space or walkway around the exterior of the parking structure other than for maintenance accessibility. Mr. Alvarez answered in the affirmative; he stated the plan was to keep the area clear and accessible only to maintenance personnel. He noted that located behind the feature wall there would also be above ground 550-gallon capacity gas tanks for the operation of maintenance vehicles. He stated the plastic coated mesh on the metal frame would provide adequate circulation of heat, air and space. Mr. Cardoza asked for further clarification regarding the light spillage from the parking structure. Mr. Alvarez stated it was not a bright light; he stated the lighting inside the structure would be brighter than the outside lighting; outside lighting would be sufficient to provide enough light to walk around the facility. Mr. Cardoza asked if the proposed north and west elevations were finalized. Mr. Alvarez stated the north and west elevations were only conceptual. Mr. Klein voiced concern about only one lane in/one lane out of the parking structure; he voiced concern about exiting the structure in an emergency situation. Mr. Alvarez stated that in case of an emergency, both lanes could be used to exit the structure. Vice Chairman Weston asked for clarification regarding the fuel tanks; how close would they be

uation. Mr. Alvarez stated that in case of an emergency, both lanes could be used to exit the structure. Vice Chairman Weston asked for clarification regarding the fuel tanks; how close would they be to the reservoir; how would they be contained. Mr. Alvarez stated the tanks would be further than 150 feet away from the reservoir; they would be within a double wall self- contained above ground structure. Council President McCartney asked if the applicant had considered the need for emergency blue light buttons. Mr. Alvarez stated it had not been considered; security personnel would be on site. In response to inquiry from Chairman Bagoff, Mr. Alvarez confirmed the parking spaces to be eliminated had previously been designated parking spaces for Sheriff Department vehicles. Mr. Grygiel had no further questions for Mr. Alvarez; he stated all his questions had been answered during Board questioning. 8

Harvey Grossman, Esq., Public Advocate, stated his questions were in reference to the memorandum report from the Township Fire Official (Deputy Chief Fred Kingston, dated 8/10/18). Mr. Grossman asked if the West Orange Fire Department would response to the site in the case of an emergency. Mr. Alvarez stated he was unable to answer. Mr. Grossman asked if there was a plan for handling fire emergencies. Mr. Alvarez stated that all levels of the parking structure would be equipped with a stand-pipe system for fire department connection; all code requirements would be implemented. Mr. Grossman asked if the applicant had provided a fire safety plan to the West Orange Fire Department. Mr. Alvarez stated that would be an issue to address with the Zoo administration. Mr. Grossman requested the Board identify the Fire Official’s memorandum as an Exhibit item; the Board acknowledged it as Exhibit PA-1. Mr. Grossman stated the report made several recommendations; he asked if Mr. Alvarez had read the report and if the recommendations would be incorporated in to the project. Mr. Alvarez stated he had read the report; he stated the plan would incorporate all necessary code requirements. He stated the recommendation by the Fire Official to outfit the parking structure with a dry piped sprinkler suppression system was not required by code, and would not be installed. Mr. Grossman requested the Board recommend to the County that all recommendations discussed in the Fire Official’s memorandum be included in the project as a condition of approval. The following members of the Public approached the podium to question Mr. Alvarez: Robert Rashkes, 35 Oak Crest Road, West Orange Evelyn Coleman, Hickory Road, West Orange, NJ Judy Rosenthal, Millburn, NJ Sally Malanga, 57 Ridge Road, West Orange, NJ Joyce Rudin, Woodland Avenue, West Orange, NJ Dennis Percher, Maplewood, NJ The Public had no further questions for Mr. Alvarez. Chairman Bagoff announced a brief recess at approximately 9:48 P.M. He reconvened the meeting at approximately 9:58 P.M. Mr. Fleder stated that the services of Mr. Piga’s firm, French & Parrello Associates, had also been retained for the train depot and parking deck project. He recalled Mr. Piga to the podium to offer testimony regarding the subject of tree removal and replacement for the project. Chairman Bagoff stated Mr. Piga was still under oath

parking deck project. He recalled Mr. Piga to the podium to offer testimony regarding the subject of tree removal and replacement for the project. Chairman Bagoff stated Mr. Piga was still under oath and would continue testimony as a licensed landscape architect. In response to questions from Mr. Fleder, Mr. 9

Piga stated he had visited the area of the train tracks and had worked on the proposed landscaping. Referring to Sheet SP-3.1, Mr. Piga identified the vicinity of the new train tracks. He stated approximately 20 trees would be removed. He stated approximately 100 replacement trees (conifer and citrus) would be planted near the train tracks/ maintenance areas. In response to question from Mr. Fleder, Mr. Piga stated approximately 50-55 trees would be removed in the area of the proposed parking structure; he stated the specimens were in very poor condition; they were Norway Spruce and Norway Maples. Mr. Piga stated the County has requested landscaping around the garage area to include approximately 25- 30 replacement trees, some to be located near the front of the parking structure. He stated the landscaping plan was currently in its preliminary stage. Mr. Piga concluded his testimony. Council President McCartney voiced concern there would be more trees removed than replaced. Mr. Piga stated the goal was to create a “rustic woodsy area”; there would be an abundance of new landscaping. Vice Chairman Weston asked Mr. Piga to confirm the landscaping plan would include planting one tree for every one tree removed. Mr. Piga answered in the affirmative. Mr. Klein stated there was previous discussion about the possibility of installing a “living wall”. He asked Mr. Piga if he had experience with that type of landscape installation. Mr. Piga stated he would not recommend planting any type of ivy; he stated English Ivy was highly invasive. He stated vines and ivy were deciduous; they would not screen the parking structure in the winter. The Public Advocate had no questions for Mr. Piga. The following members of the Public approached the podium to question Mr. Piga: Judy Rosenthal, Millburn, NJ Sally Malanga, 57 Ridge Road, West Orange, NJ Dennis Percher, Maplewood, NJ Robert Rashkes, 35 Oak Crest Road, West Orange, NJ Joyce Rudin, Woodland Avenue, West Orange, NJ The Public had no further questions for Mr. Piga. Mr. Fleder called his next witness to the podium. Andrew L. French, PE, Senior Vice President, French & Parrello Associates, PA, was sworn in, stated his professional credentials, and was accepted by the Board to be a professional engineer licensed in the State of New Jersey. In reply to inquiry from Mr. Fleder, Mr. French stated the County

stated his professional credentials, and was accepted by the Board to be a professional engineer licensed in the State of New Jersey. In reply to inquiry from Mr. Fleder, Mr. French stated the County had retained his firm to prepare the plans for widening improvement of the existing driveway on 10

the west side of the Arena. He stated that currently the driveway had two “exit-only” lanes on to Northfield Avenue. In reply to question from Mr. Fleder, Mr. French confirmed his firm had prepared Exhibit A-11, (Conceptual Access Layout for New Parking Deck). Mr. French stated Exhibit A-11 was an aerial drawing of the existing conditions of the driveway on the west side of the Arena with the exits on to Northfield Avenue. The proposed improvements would maintain the two exit lanes, one right and one left, and to create an entrance in to the Zoo by widening the driveway. Mr. French stated there was currently a traffic signal at the driveway. Mr. French stated that on a Saturday, his firm had conducted traffic counts at the three intersections that enter and exit Turtle Back Zoo. Mr. French stated the existing main entrance and the existing exit lanes on the east side of the Zoo would remain unchanged. The two exit lanes on the west side would remain; that intersection would be improved with the addition of an entry lane. Mr. French stated his firm had worked with the County to develop the location of the new ingress lane. Mr. French opined the proposed preliminary design would sufficiently accommodate on-site vehicular traffic. He stated the purpose of the project was to minimize or eliminate overflow parking on days with excessive visitor attendance. He opined the project would result in safer conditions for vehicles and pedestrians. Mr. French stated there would be signage and traffic signal improvements to accommodate the traffic new movements. Mr. French concluded his testimony. Chairman Bagoff requested Mr. Klein represent the Board in questioning Mr. French on his testimony. Mr. Klein asked on what (Saturday) date and time were the traffic counts conducted. Mr. French stated he did not have the exact date, but it was during the month August. He stated that typically, traffic counts were conducted during peak hours, but he did not know the exact time of day his firm had conducted the traffic counts. Mr. Klein asked for about the proposed directional/informational signage. He opined the current signage, traffic cones, and County staff that directed traffic were ineffectual. He asked how the County would manage traffic. Mr. French stated that during normal operation, the traffic would function fine. On days with heavy traffic volume, County staff would

c were ineffectual. He asked how the County would manage traffic. Mr. French stated that during normal operation, the traffic would function fine. On days with heavy traffic volume, County staff would be present to direct traffic; traffic would be managed in an open-ended manner. Mr. Klein asked Mr. French if he would ask the County to consider having his firm prepare a traffic management plan. Mr. French stated that to the best of its ability, the County does incorporate traffic management on high volume days. Mr. Klein asked if an analysis of the proposed 40% increase in parked cars had yet been completed to determine the level of service on the high volume days. Mr. French stated an analysis had not been completed. He stated that if required, the County would alter the timing of the signals to incorporate the traffic movements on the high volume days. He stated evaluations were still being considered. Mr. Klein opined that he, a professional traffic engineer, would have done the traffic study first to determine the number of parking spaces in the proposed garage. He asked if an analysis of the driveway traffic volume had been studied. Mr. French answered no. Mr. Klein voiced concern that the additional 40% increase had not been considered when the initial traffic count was done. 11