June 25, 2020 - Special Meeting

TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE PLANNING BOARD SPECIAL MEETING MEETING MINUTES June 25, 2020 The Township of West Orange Planning Board held a special meeting on June 25, 2020 at 7:30 P.M. via virtual ZOOM videoconference. Chairman Weston called the meeting to order at approximately 7:30 P.M. He announced that notification of the meeting was given to the Township Clerk, and posted on the Township Bulletin Board, sent to the West Orange Chronicle and the Star Ledger, and posted on the Township’s website calendar. This meeting has been properly noticed to the public in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. No new matters will start after 10:30 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ¢ Chairman Weston requested all persons stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. ANNOUNCEMENTS e The next Planning Board regular meeting will be July 1, 2020 at 7:30 P.M. on the ZOOM platform (Secretary's note: The July 1, 2020 meeting was ultimately cancelled). ROLL CALL PRESENT: Dr. Robert Bagoff Councilwoman Susan McCartney Mr. Peter Smeraldo, Jr Mr. Andrew Trenk Chairman Ron Weston Mr. William Wilkes II Mrs. Tammy Williams ABSENT: Mr. Everett Johnson Mr. Lee Klein Mr. Gary Wegner

ALSO PRESENT: Paul Grygiel, AICP, PP, Township Planner Greg Valesi (proxy for John Hess), Consulting Engineer Kenneth D. McPherson Ill, Esq., Attorney John Linson, Town Forester Harvey Grossman, Public Advocate Sean McCauley, Acting Planning Board Secretary e° Mr. Grygiel sworn in e Mr. Valesi sworn in e Mr. Linson swore in © APPLICATION(S) 1. PB-20-02/Green Essex Partners Urban Renewal Entity Block: 155; Lots: 40.02; 42.02; 42.01; Zone: Executive Drive Preliminary and Final Site Plan; No Variances e Chairman Weston recognized Applicant’s attorney, Francis X. Regan e Mr. Regan reported that Applicant submitted revised plans based on Town Forester, John Linson’s, report e Stated that bike racks will be added at the dog park; that the number of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations across the complex will increased to fifteen (15); announced the addition of a crosswalk to 300 Executive Drive; reported the addition of more shade trees near Buildings B & C; stated that the Applicant will be converting sixteen (16) 2-bedroom units to 1-bedroom units in both Buildings B & C; expanded that this lowers parking needs without any footprint changes e Mr. Regan introduced the Applicant’s Landscape Architect, Paul Devitto e Mr. Devitto provided credentials and was sworn in e Mr. Regan asked Mr. Devitto to describe changes being made in reaction to Mr. Linson’s forester report and site visit e Mr. Devitto reported that an amount of tree protection fencing will be added around the dog park and other heavily treed areas near the pond; adhering to all of Mr. Linson’s recommendations; and that any plants will be as deer resistant as possible; and that they would be adding shade trees through parking lot islands e Chairman Weston asked Mr. Linson to respond: e° Mr. Linson requested on-site supervision of installation and maintenance of landscaping through construction process e Chairman Weston reported that Applicant has accepted Mr. Linson’s request

Board Questions: Chairman Weston asked Mr. Linson if there was a colorized tree replacement map o Mr. Linson responded in the negative Chairman Weston asked if the stormwater management plan will need to be altered due to landscaping changes o. Mr. Linson responded that small alterations will need to be made o CME Engineer, Gary Valesi, added that trees in the parking lot may alter water quality standards; there may be a tradeoff of trees for bioswales; will bring up with Applicant’s engineer Public Questions: Harvey Grossman, Public Advocate: Mr. Grossman asked for the rationale for tree removal; o Mr. Devitto described the diseased ash trees around the edges of the property, and that they are not in the construction zone A question was asked by: Christine Little, 1K Buckingham Road End of Mr. Devitto’s testimony Mr. Regan introduced the Applicant’s Traffic Engineer, Eric Keller Mr. Keller provided credentials and was sworn in Mr. Keller introduced Exhibit A-1 and used it to describe the project and current traffic counts from January 2020 peak morning and evening hours at the following roads and intersections: Rooney Circle & Prospect Avenue, Rooney Circle, Executive Drive , Marion Drive, Mt. Pleasant Avenue & & Marion Drive; Prospect Avenue; Prospect Avenue & Guerino Drive Described the A-F delay scale he employed; D or better on approaches to Executive; left into Eagle Ridge/Essex Green are an F due to a short green light; Stated that by 2023 that it is expected: Essex Green will be larger and there will be increased occupancy at 10 Rooney Circle and 300 Executive Drive; assumed there will be additional delays, mostly at Prospect Avenue/Guerino Drive/Essex Green

Assuming full occupancy of new buildings proposed by the Applicant, gave figures as to how many additional trips would be added; concluded that it would be less than if the traffic was from full occupancy of the existing buildings; impact negligible overall; should work with county to modify traffic light signal timings where they currently exist; stated that the complex had more than plenty of parking for residents and guests; Responded to CME Engineering Report Item #8, parking ratio: stated that the 1.76 parking ratio for buildings B & C, is above standard Board Questions: Mr. Smeraldo asked if 570 was the correct number of parking spots in the parking garage o. Mr. Keller responded in the affirmative Chairman Weston recommended the Applicant provide Town Engineer recommendations to improve potential traffic issues Chairman Weston inquired about the PSEG easement, and if there was any scenario where it could be requested that this easement be accessed at least in an emergency co Mr. Keller responded that PSEG is usually not open to letting others access their property Chairman Weston asked if main entrance will be adequate and safe for the site o Mr. Keller responded in the affirmative, adding that it will function better for this development than it does for the current one Public Questions: No questions were asked by the public End of Mr. Keller’s testimony Mr. Regan announced the conclusion of witnesses and testimony Public Comments: No comments were made by the public

Chairman Weston recommended the following conditions: Coordinate sidewalks with Rooney Circle Add bike racks and storage racks in Buildings B & C Add a second Fire Department stand pipe in garage; add sprinklers to garage; place Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED) stations within buildings Applicant should continue to meet with the West Orange Fire Department on all Fire/EMS Issues Comply with all twenty-nine (29) items of CME report; continue to meet with and discuss with CME Study the addition of a crosswalk to 300 Executive Drive Increase EV Charging Stations to fifteen (15) total Retain landscape supervision through process Provide color tree replacement plan Add dog park lighting including blue light/emergency call station at dog park, and lighting for winter twilight safety Maintain Executive Drive road ice/snow & perpetual maintenance Applicant and Town should coordinate shuttle service efforts Vote: Approval of PB-20-02/Green Essex Partners Urban Renewal Entity Motion: Chairman Weston Second: Dr. Bagoff Bagoff: ud Wilkes: Y Johnson (Alt 1): Absent Williams: Y Klein: Absent Chairman Weston: Y McCartney: Y Smeraldo: Y 7 yes; 3 absent Trenk: Y Wegner: Absent MEETING ADJOURNED at approximately 9:09 PM. Called by Dr. Bagoff, Seconded by Mrs. Williams ty Sean-McCauley Township of West Orange Planning Board