PB-23-05 Turtle Back Zoo/Animal Wellness Center B: 163 L: 13

Conceptual Site Plan Gregory A. Comito, 12/5/2022 AIA, PP, Comito Associates PC . Mark Fleder, Esq. of the law firm Connell Foley, LLP represented the Applicant. . The Turtle Back Zoo is owned by the County of Essex. . Lorrie Sciabarsi-Harris, AIA, PP, of Comito Associates, Registered Landscape Architect with offices located at 23 Warren Street, Newark, New Jersey, Michael Piga, of Van Cleef Engineering, 4 AAA Drive, Suite 103 Hamilton, New Jersey and Jilian Fazio, Director of the Zoo, testified on behalf of the County. . Essex County seeks to replace the existing Wolf Exhibit at the Turtle Back Zoo with anew Animal Wellness Center. . The Planning Board’s statutory duty pursuant to the Municipal Land Use Law §40:55D-31 for an application of this type is for “review and recommendation” in conjunction with the West Orange Master Plan. . The Township’s 2019 Master Plan Update provides an overview of changes to the Zoo and adjacent County facilities since 2010, as well as notes it continued increases in annual attendance. A concern was raised in the Master Plan Update about maintaining a balance between preservation and recreation in South Mountain Reservation. While acknowledging the benefits to West Orange of the County’s investment in this facility, the following is noted on page 61 of the December 2019 Master Plan Update: [T]here are concerns about the amount of development in the Reservation, and the transformation of formerly open areas into active recreation space and zoo facilities. The Township should continue to work with Essex County to allow for appropriate development without overwhelming what makes the South Mountain Reservation a special place.