August 14, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

43 (Pages 166 to 169)43 (Pages 166 to 169) Page 166 1 MS. WHITE: Okay. So -- so with that, 2 I believe that the engineer did testify that the 3 shortest setback on Howell is 106 feet, basically 4 the length of a garden hose. So I'm asking you 5 again, understanding, because I'm not an architect, 6 with this clear-cutting you're referring to, et 7 cetera, et cetera, what will be the visibility of 8 any portion of that building to those of us who 9 reside on that part of Howell, and I have a further 10 question to that once you answer. 11 MR. APPEL: So the reason we did this 12 section was to illustrate to our, you know, the best 13 we could, the representation between the two and to 14 illustrate that this -- this area -- these are new 15 plantings, but once you get away from where you're 16 building, none of this is going to be -- none of 17 that is going to be impacted. 18 MS. WHITE: All right. 19 MR. APPEL: So -- 20 MS. WHITE: So is that a matter of 21 fact or speculation? 22 MR. APPEL: Excuse me? 23 MS. WHITE: Is that a matter of fact 24 that it will not be impacted or is it just your 25 speculation this point -- that they will not -- Page 168 1 that on the real estate values of the existing 2 properties? 3 MR. APPEL: We -- there was no 4 discussion that -- that I've had personally with 5 regard to real estate values, but one of the things 6 that was done is that this building originally was 7 full height and squared off. We worked hard to try 8 and soften all the edges, which were -- we thought 9 was going to be appropriate and respectful to the 10 adjoining residents. 11 MS. WHITE: Okay. 12 MR. APPEL: All those things are -- 13 are not, you know, take time and money and 14 additional construction for us to do, but we thought 15 it was appropriate. 16 MS. WHITE: Okay. Perhaps you can't 17 answer the question but I hope at some point, the 18 Planning Board could, and that is whether or not any 19 consideration was given to any sort of study that 20 might indicate what the potential impact on real 21 estate values would be of having this structure, not 22 even the final structures but perhaps even multiple 23 years of construction, literally across the street 24 from us. Thank you. 25 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you. Page 167 1 MR. APPEL: I'm -- 2 MS. WHITE: -- disturb that? 3 MR. APPEL: I'm just going -- it's not 4 speculation, this is what's on the site

treet 24 from us. Thank you. 25 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you. Page 167 1 MR. APPEL: I'm -- 2 MS. WHITE: -- disturb that? 3 MR. APPEL: I'm just going -- it's not 4 speculation, this is what's on the site drawings. 5 MS. WHITE: Okay. I don't know the 6 site drawings, I'm asking. 7 MR. APPEL: But I'm not -- you know, 8 the -- again, this is, you know, you're asking me 9 questions that, yes, I prepared this section because 10 it was appropriate because of the architecture, but 11 I'm following the site drawings and illustrating, as 12 representative as possible, what is on the site -- 13 MS. WHITE: And I -- 14 MR. APPEL: -- plan. 15 MS. WHITE: I feel I have the right to 16 ask these questions because you have submitted this 17 along with your testimony. 18 MR. APPEL: Absolutely. 19 MS. WHITE: So in that same regard, 20 since you know the proximity of that Building D in 21 particular to the larger neighborhoods, when you 22 were given instruction to look at that whole 23 property around the placement of buildings, were 24 there any things that you were told relative to the 25 potential impact of having buildings as close to Page 169 1 MR. PLOCKER: May I have one second, 2 Chairman? 3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Plocker. 4 MR. PLOCKER: Yeah, just with respect 5 to the last comment about real estate values, just 6 for the record, we are zoned, we are a permitted 7 use, and I appreciate the member of the public's 8 comments, but it is a permitted use. If this was 9 the Zoning Board of Adjustment and we were seeking a 10 use variance, certainly, that type of testimony and 11 expert testimony would be relevant, but it really is 12 not something that this Board should consider. 13 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you, Mr. 14 Plocker. 15 Go right ahead, state your name and 16 spell your last name, please. 17 MS. KLEIN: Rachel Klein, K-L-E-I-N, 18 Howell Drive. 19 That picture that was just up -- I'm 20 sorry, I forgot you -- Mr. Appel? 21 MR. APPEL: Yes. 22 MS. KLEIN: Is that your picture, that 23 design? 24 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Ma'am, speak into 25 the mic.