February 21, 2019

used etc.; he said that their vision as far as “the look” is a more modern line and they will be using composite wood materials. Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Mr. Koehler if they are building first and then looking for tenants; Mr. Koehler said that their plan is to give the merchants the space that is suitable for them. Mr. Koehler said that they are proposing to change some of the existing spaces to suit the merchants. Mr. Sussman asked Mr. Koehler to state the size of the center now and how much square footage this application is adding; he said the center will go from three hundred and thirty thousand (330,000) sq. feet to three hundred and eighty thousand (380,000) sq. feet.

Mr. Grossman asked Mr. Koehler if they are constructing the mall to be more of a neighborhood; he said they are turning the existing regional mall into a “town center”. Mr. Kochler stated that everything they are proposing will be of a value to the people in the neighborhood. Mr. Grossman asked if the applicant can provide a 3-D model of the proposed site; Chairman Neuer stated that they are very costly and he will not ask the applicant to provide that. There were no further questions for Mr. Koehler from the Board Members or the Board Professionals. Chairman Neuer asked if any members of the public had any questions for Mr. Koehler. Gary Van Wyk approached the podium and stated that he lives at 71 Burnett Terrace. Mr. Van Wyk asked Mr. Koehler if he has read West Orange’s Master Plan; he said no. Mr. Van Wyk asked Mr. Koehler if he believes a town center is portrayed by large signs; he said when he used the term town center he was referring to a term that is used often in sustainability as a site that provides basic services to the community. Mr. Koehler said that the threshold for achieving that is that a site provides ten (10) basic services i.e. a grocery store; he said basically something that will support a community. Mr. Koehler said that they wanted to construct something that would be more pedestrian friendly and community connected. Mr. Van Wyk asked Mr. Koehler to identify the ten (10) factors that make a town center besides a grocery store; he said there are probably more than ten (10) but examples would be beauty parlors, day care centers; small clothing stores; restaurants, to name a few. Mr. Van Wyk asked Mr. Koehler why they need large signs if a shopper already knows what stores are in the shopping center; he said because they have to lure the tenant and a tenant will demand in a retail market a very favorable branding condition. Mr. Koehler said that he has to compete with sites that have perfectly situated signage with views from the street. Mr. Van Wyk asked Mr. Koehler to state the functions of the thirty-five (35) foot tower; he said it is about improving visibility. Mr. Van Wyk asked Mr. Koehler why they are building space rather than renovating existing space; he said that tenants do not want a space that is not visible. Mr. Koehler said those spaces will be very hard to lease. Chairman Neuer noted the time and stated that

r than renovating existing space; he said that tenants do not want a space that is not visible. Mr. Koehler said those spaces will be very hard to lease. Chairman Neuer noted the time and stated that this application will carried over to a special meeting held on March 7, 2019 and that no further notice will be necessary. Chairman Neuer stated that the public can continue to ask Mr. Koehler questions at that time.

The meeting was adjourned by at 10:47 pm. Adopted: March 7, 2019 3 lhe URose DeSena, Board Secretary