August 11, 2021 Adopted Planning Board Minutes

fic in regards to this new exhibit. Mr. Piga answered that this exhibit will not increase attendance at zoo. -Mr. Jerry Eben (26 Walker Road) asked what is happening to protect the trees/landscaping? Mr. Piga answered that there will be a buffer to grow into. -Ms. Judith Rosenthal (97 Main Street, Millburn) asked in regards to bamboo what they are doing to control spread of evasive species. Mr. Piga said that they would use the control environment. -Ms. Judith Rosenthal (97 Main Street, Millburn) asked if the area is fenced completely. Mr. Piga answered in the negative. -Ms. Sally Malanga (Ridge Road) asked for the reason behind no traffic increase. Mr. Piga answered that it is an already existing exhibit. -Ms. Sally Malanga (Ridge Road) asked if the advertisement for the renovation would increase traffic. Mr. Piga said not to his knowledge.

-Mr. Kevin Malanga (Ridge Road) asked if there was a tree cutting plan. Mr. Piga said that it is only submitted in a conceptual plan. -Mr. Kevin Malanga (Ridge Road) asked where on the rendering does it show the trees cutting down. Mr. Piga said that he cannot show that. -Ms. Joyce Rudin (Woodland Avenue) asked if this application is involved in the one for Green Acres. Mr, Piga answered in the negative. -Ms. Joyce Rudin (Woodland Avenue) asked then what the intention of the exhibit is if not increase attendance at the Zoo. Mr. Piga said that he is unaware. -Mr. Phillip Schweiger (14 Davey Way) on the website for Zoo the Clouded Leopard is not listed as being an existing animal. He wanted to know if it was new. Mr. Piga said that the Zoo Director can answer that better than he can. Ms. Lorrie Sciabarsi, Architect entered the record, was sworn in by Mr. McPherson and classified as an expert by the Board. -designed the interior and exterior floor plan BOARD QUESTIONS -Mr. Guarino asked what community procedure was from preventing animal cruelty. Ms. Sciabarsi said that she worked closely with the Zoo Director for protection of all (animal, handler,...) -Mr. Guarino asked about the lighting and was informed by Ms. Sciabarsi that it is being used for maintenance only. -Mr. Guarino asked if this project will be using any recyclable materials. Ms. Sciabarsi said that she was unsure. - Mr. Guarino asked if there would be an HVAC system installed. Ms. Sciabarsi answered in the affirmative but said that the Engineer can answer in regard to code. NO PROFESSIONALS QUESTIONS PUBLIC QUESTIONS -Ms. Judith Rosenthal (97 Main Street, Millburn) asked if Ms. Sciabarsi did research on the range of the leopard. Ms. Sciabarsi answered that it was in scope to hold animal not for free range. -Ms. Judith Rosenthal (97 Main Street, Millburn) asked what the reason was for four dens. Ms. Sciabarsi said that it was what she was instructed to do. -Ms. Judith Rosenthal (97 Main Street, Millburn) asked who she collaborated with on her side. Ms. Sciabarsi answered her coworkers. -Ms. Judith Rosenthal (97 Main Street, Millburn) asked what the floors will be made of and will animals (ie: Clouded Leopard) be sleeping on them? Ms. Sciabarsi answered that the floors are cement but the leopard will sleep on bench. -Ms. Judith Rosenthal (97 Main Street, Millburn) asked what

l animals (ie: Clouded Leopard) be sleeping on them? Ms. Sciabarsi answered that the floors are cement but the leopard will sleep on bench. -Ms. Judith Rosenthal (97 Main Street, Millburn) asked what exactly a “transfer space” is. Ms. Sciabarsi answered that it is a temporary holding space. -Mr. Jerry Eben (26 Walker Road) asked if the program from the owner was followed to the letter. Ms. Sciabarsi answerd in the affirmative and used the chosen guidelines from the AZA. - Mr. Jerry Eben (26 Walker Road) asked if there is a drain attached to the sanitary line. Ms. Sciabarsi answered in the affirmative. - Mr. Jerry Eben (26 Walker Road) asked what kind of paint is being used. Ms. Sciabarsi answered that it is an apoxy paint which is hard to scratch and solid. - Mr. Jerry Eben (26 Walker Road) asked if there is a sprinkler system necessary or needed. Ms. Sciabarsi answered that it was deemed unnecessary.

-Mr. Kevin Malanga (Ridge Road) asked who decided on the size of the Den. Ms. Sciabarsi said the Zoo Staff. -Mr. Kevin Malanga (Ridge Road) asked what is the size of the Red Panda Den. Ms. Sciabarsi said that the Zoo Director would be better to ask that question to. -Ms. Sally Malanga (Ridge Road) asked for clarification on how animals receive light and air. Ms. Sciabarsi said they receive light and air through a sky light and artificial light. -Ms. Sally Malanga (Ridge Road) asked if the animals are able to go outside. Ms. Sciabarsi answered in the affirmative. Dr. Jillian Fazio, Director of the Turtle Back Zoo entered on the record, and was sworn in by Mr. McPherson. -Dr. Fazio went into detail about the Red Panda and Clouded Leopard which are found in Asia. Described the Red Panda as a “house cat” that will grow to 10-15 pounds at full size. She also described the Clouded Leopard as being medium in size full grown at 20-50 pounds. BOARD QUESTIONS -Councilwoman McCartney asked if the public can see inside the den. Dr. Fazio responded in the negative that it is private for the animals. NO PROFESSIONALS QUESTIONS PUBLIC QUESTIONS/COMMENTS -Mr. Phillip Schweiger (14 Davey Way) asked about the lack of the Clouded Leopard on the website. Dr. Fazio said that this animal was on display previously but just not now. -Mr. Kevin Malanga (Ridge Road) asked where she studied Clouded Leopards. Dr. Fazio said the Smithsonian and in Thailand. -Mr. Kevin Malanga (Ridge Road) asked if when she studied in Thailand, was it in the open ot zoo setting. Dr. Fazio said it was in a zoo setting. -Mr. Kevin Malanga (Ridge Road) asked if she was the one who made the decisions on the size. Dr. Fazio answered in the affirmative and it was based on AZA guidelines. -Mr. Kevin Malanga (Ridge Road) asked if she knew the daily range of the Clouded Leopard. Dr. Fazio answered that it is mostly unknown. Maybe 20 kl but it all depends on prey availability. -Mr. Jerry Eben (26 Walker Road) asked if the dimensions are 200 ft. for the room the Red Panda will be in, what the thought process was. Dr. Fazio said that some aspects are larger than the AZA guidelines. -Ms. Meredith Gordon (1480 Pleasant Valley Way) asked when the last time the Clouded Leopard was on display. Dr. Fazio said that it has been awhile. -Ms. Joyce Rudin (Woodland Avenue) asked about the required sizes of the

1480 Pleasant Valley Way) asked when the last time the Clouded Leopard was on display. Dr. Fazio said that it has been awhile. -Ms. Joyce Rudin (Woodland Avenue) asked about the required sizes of the rooms for Red Pandas and Clouded Leopards. Dr. Fazio said that for a Red Panda it is 200 square feet, and for a Clouded Leopard it is 500 square feet. PUBLIC COMMENTS -Ms. Jennifer Nielsen (17 Egbert, Morristown) was concerned about the expansion. Requests that until the Master Plan is approved, no approval on applications of this nature should be made.

-Ms. Sally Malanga (Ridge Road) made a comment about Mr. Klein’s reaction and respect for what the public is trying to drive. She then referenced the Resolution passed 1/2/2018 prior to the Capital Improvement. Urged the Board to vote no. -Mr. Kevin Malanga (Ridge Road) said that there is nothing courteous about this application and urged the Board to vote no. -Ms. Meredith Gordon (1480 Pleasant Valley Way) said that she is appreciative of the time but unclear of the West Orange and County overlap and suggests to postpone a vote as plans not finalized and measurements seem unclear as well. -Mr. Jerry Eben (26 Walker Road) said that the Planning Board will sce plenty more courtesy reviews because the County doesn’t see boundaries on the property. -Mr. Robert Rashkes (25 Oakcrest Road) said that despite the confirmation that this site and renovation will not attract the public to the zoo, he cannot help but think about the effects this will have on Northfield Avenue and Cherry Lane traffic. -Ms. Joyce Rudin (Woodland Avenue) said that it feels like the West Orange Planning Board wanted to shut the public down during this meeting. That there seem to be no legal boundaries for the Zoo and asks as information is now incumbent of Board to not hear and save the South Mountain Reservation. -Mr. Phillip Schweiger (14 Davey Way) said that preserving open recreation areas and not eating into the hiking trails. With the increase of the numbers of people, finds it hard to believe that it won't be considered a new exhibit/attraction. Motion: Mr. Smeraldo Second: Chairman Bagoff Recommendations to Consider: Finalize Zoo Master Plan, Traffic Study, and Hydraulic Study. Bagoffi Y Smeraldo: Y Guarino: Y Trenk: Y Klein: Y Wilkes: Y McCartney: _Y McNair: Absent Yes 7; abseht |

MEETING ADJOURNED at approximately 11:47PM. Called by Mr. Lee Klein. Seconded by Chairman Bagoff. Adopted: 9/1/24 Diana L. Chandler Acting Planning Board Secretary **THE NEXT REGULAR PLANNING BOARD MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 AT 7:30 P.M. **