August 20, 2020

Matthew Seckler, traffic engineer for the applicant, was sworn under oath. He detailed his educational and professional background as a Professional Traffic Engineer licensed by the State of New Jersey. Chairman Neuer accepted Mr. Seckler as an expert in traffic engineering. Mr. Seckler stated that he visited the site and prepared two (2) reports; a parking memorandum dated 4/30/2020 and revised on 8/5/2020 and traffic assessment dated 4/30/2020 and revised on 8/5/2020. Chairman Neuer stated that there was also a report prepared by Mr. Seckler dated November, 2019 that was submitted and reviewed by the Board. Mr. Seckler stated that he prepared that report in November, 2019 when the application was originally bifurcated; he said that his reports were updated according to the changes to the site plan. Mr. Seckler detailed the conditions of the roadways and referred to Exhibit A-1 detailing the existing access points on the site. Mr. Seckler stated that Pleasant Valley Way is a county road and he met with the Essex County Planner, Mr. Antonio, to discuss the site. He said that there is a sixteen (16) foot wide reservation along the frontage of the site and Mr. Antonio told him that as long as they do not build any buildings within the reservation area the County will have no problem with the project. Mr. Seckler said that Mr. Antonio also said that there are no present plans for widening the roadway either. He said that Mr. Antonio said that the County would have issues with a left turn at the southerly driveway but not at the northerly driveway. Mr. Seckler referred to Exhibit A-3 and delineated the proposed curb cuts; he stated that they will comply with any County restrictions.. Mr. Seckler said the driveways are consistent with the County driveway design standards. Mr. Seckler detailed the average trip generations for a storage unit facility from the ITE trip generation manual. He detailed how many trips were generated per day for a convenience store that was previously approved by the Township’s Planning Board for this site; he said there would have been much more traffic during the day. Mr. Seckler stated that storage unit facilities have much less trips per day and zero trips over the night hours. He said the facility will close at 10:00 pm. Mr. Seckler said that they are seeking a parking variance; two hundred twelve (212) parking space are

s trips per day and zero trips over the night hours. He said the facility will close at 10:00 pm. Mr. Seckler said that they are seeking a parking variance; two hundred twelve (212) parking space are required for the site and they are proposing twelve (12) standard size parking spaces and four (4) loading spaces. He said that they looked at other storage unit facilities, bigger ones and smaller ones than the one proposed for this site, and they have less parking spaces. Mr. Seckler said that they anticipate twenty three (23) customers’ cars throughout the day and they stay on an average of less than thirty (30) minutes; he said that sixteen (16) parking spaces