April 3, 2024 Planning Board Regular Meeting

finds that the wetlands are exceptional resource value and require 150-foot buffer then the applicant cannot proceed with the project and has to come back before the board. Council President Rutherford asked what animals could be in danger during this project. The board attorney said that there have not been any allegations in regards endangered species for this application. Mayor McCartney asked if there will be landscaping at the property line. Ms. Lisa John- Basta said that as a condition of approval they will work with the town professionals to place additional landscaping along the property boundary line. Chairman Bagoff asked about the letter that Mr. John Hess wrote about the drainage near properties at Old Indian Road. Mr. Hess said that based on his findings with the township engineer the runoff from the roof area will be minimal, also the plans show that the roof drains from the halfway house house would be connected to an infiltration basin and that infiltration basin will allow the runoff to recharge into the ground. The storm water report from the applicant demonstrates that there will be no discharge from the infiltration during the storms. So, therefore it would have absolutely no impact from the runoff. The distance from the halfway house to the nearest existing residence is 175 feet which is substantial. Finally, the grading plan also shows that if there were an overflow, then the runoff from the halfway house would remain on the golf course property and would not be discharged off site towards any of the existing residential. PUBLIC QUESTIONS David Robinson at 39 Old Indian Road asked in regards to an outlet of water that rolls into the wetlands near his property, should that have been part of the original plan. Mr. Steck answered in the affirmative. Kevin Malanga at Ridge Road asked can you characterize the location of six of the halfway houses presented as being distant from property lines. Mr. Steck said the distance was 240 feet of those and one exception there was one for 165 feet to a residential property line. Donna Graham at 31 Old Indian Road asked if there is a site plan for this particular project that shows all the trees that will be removed to the building of the halfway house. Mr. Steck said that there is not. Donna Graham asked if there is a site plan that shows all the trees that will have to be removed and the tree

t will be removed to the building of the halfway house. Mr. Steck said that there is not. Donna Graham asked if there is a site plan that shows all the trees that will have to be removed and the tree root systems that will be damaged for the building of the sewer line for the halfway house. Mr. Steck said there is not. Donna Graham asked if these root systems are damaged by the sewer line is there any remediation. Mr. Steck said that the standards are that the applicant is to identify the trees that are removed and the board has the ability to flex the location of the lines in his opinion as part of its site plan powers and if trees have to be removed there are formulas for replacements. Donna Graham asked in his considerable experience, when he sees similar site plans for projects like this, do those site plans generally indicate specifically and clearly every single tree that has to be removed because of the project. Mr. Steck said that in West Orange tree removal ordinance requires the identification of trees that are going to be removed and with respect to golf courses particularly trees within 75 feet of the perimeter. Donna Graham asked in Mr. Steck’s opinion is this plan as submitted without the specificity of the trees that are going to be removed is it adequate as it stands. In Mr. Steck opinion, he said no. 10