March 12, 2019 Special Meeting

Mr. Grygiel continued his presentation. He detailed several changes that had occurred since 2010, including changes in the real estate market, the retail market, transportation, and technology. He described demographic changes since 2010. He outlined development activity for the period 2010 through 2018 including the number of building permits issued and various approved development and redevelopment projects. He stated background information to consider included the 2013 Green Infrastructure Feasibility Study, the 2015 Complete Streets Concept Plan, the 2015 Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, the 2016 Master Plan Circulation Element Amendment, the 2017 Downtown West Orange Alliance Design Guidelines, and the 2018 Survey of Older Adults. He detailed the Master Plan topics. The update would discuss land use including existing zoning, economic development, historic preservation, community facilities, utilities and recycling, circulation, housing, open space and recreation, sustainability, and the various Township geographic areas. Mr. Grygiel stated the existing land use map would be updated. He stated the Township had various assets associated with economic development including the Thomas Edison National Historic Park and Turtle Back Zoo/South Mountain Recreation Complex. He said the circulation element would build upon the Township’s “Complete Streets” policy and the prior 2016 amendment to the Master Plan circulation element. He stated the 2010 Update included West Orange’s first Master Plan Sustainability element; the 2019 update would expand on the sustainability element. He stated the Board would look at geographic areas and discuss neighborhood preservation, and development of the Downtown and Valley corridors. Mr Grygiel stated the Public could send the Planning Board comments and suggestions via email. Mr. Grygiel concluded his presentation. The Board and Mr. Grygiel discussed the Master Plan process. In response to Board inquiry, Mr. Grygiel briefly described the difference between the Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance. He stated the Master Plan had no force of law; it was a policy document adopted solely by the Planning Board. The Zoning Ordinance identified the specific law as adopted by the Township Council. The Master Plan was a policy and guiding document to be used by both the Planning Board and Township Council in the land use process. Mr.

dentified the specific law as adopted by the Township Council. The Master Plan was a policy and guiding document to be used by both the Planning Board and Township Council in the land use process. Mr. Grygiel noted that both the Planning Board and Zoning Board had the power to grant variances to the zoning law if those variances met specific criteria; a substantial criterion was the variance would not be a detriment to the Township’s Master Plan. Mr. Grygiel advised the Board his firm had already met with several Township entities; information would be compiled within the next month. There would be another community meeting in approximately two months. The entire process would take approximately six to eight months. There was discussion regarding additional components to consider including storm water management, and the Highland train station in the Central Avenue corridor. The following members of the Public approached the podium to question Mr. Grygiel: Kevin Malanga, 57 Ridge Road, West Orange. Gary Van Wyck, 71 Burnett Terrace, West Orange. Michelle Martin-Looper, 36 Manchester Road, West Orange.