September 11, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

he county won't approve a23 traffic signal at this location. It's advancement of24 the safety of their road system.25 135 THE PUBLIC: Understood.1 We have asked for it before and it's been2 denied, so therefore there were two accidents at that3 location involving The Grand. So therefore I guess the4 question is for the board, will that become a condition,5 if they don't agree to the light?6 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Yes, that's a condition of7 the application.8 THE WITNESS: Yes. And just to9 differentiate, while we recognize and understand this10 project is increasing traffic, one of the benefits of11 this project increasing traffic is it results in that12 signal being warranted and puts the position on the13 county that they can approve it.14 THE PUBLIC: Fair. Absolutely fair. I15 guess the question is between Laurel Avenue and that16 signal there's going to be more impact as well. More17 different, this is towards the traffic, I hope that they18 figure it out. Right now it's, there's, I mean daily19 issues that come down and whenever 280 has an accident20 that street becomes unbearable. So I understand that21 this, you know, May 18 or whatever the date was, these22 traffic, you know, counts were done, today if you look23 at it there's constantly an accident on 280 around Exit24 6 or Exit 4 and the impact comes down Eagle Rock Avenue.25 136 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.1 THE PUBLIC: I just wanted to add, you noted2 three sites on Oval Road. I would also add the fourth,3 it is the golf course. Did you have an entrance --4 THE WITNESS: The paddle club.5 THE PUBLIC: There's tennis courts and6 stuff, I would make sure that's included as well, so7 there's cars coming up and down because of that.8 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Plocker wants to say9 something.10 MR. PLOCKER: Oh, no, no. I want to clarify11 the question. Is to be included in what?12 THE PUBLIC: So he mentioned earlier there13 is three sites that are impacted, which are the14 Highlands, The Grand and the Chateau and the fourth one15 is the country club.16 THE WITNESS: The paddle facility.17 THE PUBLIC: There are cars coming18 constantly, especially during the summer months when the19 tennis courts are open.20 I guess the question is, I don't know if21 it's a board question or your question. You answered22 earlier the CME question that was put out there, their23 response to that, will we be able to, once that

guess the question is, I don't know if21 it's a board question or your question. You answered22 earlier the CME question that was put out there, their23 response to that, will we be able to, once that comes24 through, do we get a chance to come back and talk to25

35 of 71 sheets Page 137 to 140 of 180 09/27/2024 06:14:01 AM 137 those as well?1 THE WITNESS: It's part of our resolution2 compliance with the engineer that we meet their3 requirements. So it's a, it's a post approval process4 we need to go through with the board professionals.5 THE PUBLIC: Okay.6 So you just talked a little bit, maybe I7 caught the end of it, about buses not changing at that8 Eagle Rock. The 496 units being built with two and9 three bedrooms, I don't know what the number of children10 that are going to be involved or in those units to begin11 with. That will increase the number of school buses12 that come into that, onto Oval Road and into the13 Highlands and all.14 THE WITNESS: It may or may not. The bus15 routes are established and viewed by the school system16 based upon the demographics and where things are17 located. The existing service to this area may just be18 expanded up into, up into the new community. But,19 again, that is a function of the school system. They20 establish that themselves.21 THE PUBLIC: Absolutely fair. But in, when22 you're looking at traffic patterns school buses are23 going to increase in that area. Based on --24 THE WITNESS: Maybe, maybe not. Depends25 138 upon how they run the routes and service they're already1 providing to our neighbors. So buses are already2 traveling into this area. They may just change how they3 service other areas so that there's capacity on the4 buses that travel into this area. But, again, if they5 had to add a bus or two, that's not going to change the6 result of the traffic analysis. That level of traffic7 is not a changer.8 THE PUBLIC: Yes. It's not a bus or two9 because we have multiple school systems bringing in10 buses. It's not just the West Orange school system. We11 have private schools that are coming in, we have a lot12 of Jewish schools that are bringing in students as well.13 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Ma'am. Ma'am, you're14 testifying. Ask your question, please.15 THE PUBLIC: Sorry. I'll stop.16 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.17 THE PUBLIC: Seth, S-E-T-H. Weisleder,18 W-E-I-S-L-E-D-E-R.19 I guess a question is on Howell Drive, that20 access road will be gated and I guess the news is it's21 going to be asphalt, where I thought it might be one of22 those concrete blended in with grass or is the whole23 thing going to be asphalt or just the beginning of it or24 the whole

the news is it's21 going to be asphalt, where I thought it might be one of22 those concrete blended in with grass or is the whole23 thing going to be asphalt or just the beginning of it or24 the whole length of it?25 139 THE WITNESS: The whole length, 15 feet wide1 with, with controlled gates.2 THE PUBLIC: Right. So how is, if someone3 who likes to venture up onto Howell Drive know not to4 drive through that gate and how penetrable will that5 gate be?6 THE WITNESS: I don't know if we have an7 actual detail of the gate, but usually it's a chain or8 bollards, removable bollards. But usually they're9 penetrable and they need to be maintained by the10 property owner. So if they do get damage or removed for11 some reason property management will be there to replace12 them.13 THE PUBLIC: And I understand through the14 Settlement Agreement that there will be no construction15 trucks entering or exiting Howell Drive?16 THE WITNESS: That's correct. My17 understanding from reading the Settlement Agreement is18 all construction access is from Warner Drive and no19 construction staging off-site.20 THE PUBLIC: And will the applicant be21 making improvements to Howell Drive in that area for22 emergency vehicles and usage of that area since you also23 own the other property surrounding it?24 THE WITNESS: Not to Howell Drive, just the25 140 connection itself. Howell Drive and the connecting1 roads are all established residential roadways. They're2 all 30 feet wide and they're all set to accommodate the3 types of vehicles that service residential communities,4 including emergency vehicles. There's no reason to5 change them.6 THE PUBLIC: Okay.7 Kind of a question that sitting through8 these hearings that I heard was the turnaround and I9 didn't hear any follow-up from anyone, maybe it's been10 resolved. But I'm not an engineer or a traffic person,11 but the turnaround for the fire trucks, has that been12 resolved and have you been able to speak with our fire13 department if those are met on this plan that was shown14 on the ovals?15 THE WITNESS: Mr. Anderson testified to that16 and I believe that they are in the process of17 coordinating with the fire official on his input.18 THE PUBLIC: A lot of the testimony was19 traffic can speak to that and then it was the engineer20 can speak to it and then traffic.21 THE WITNESS: Mr. Anderson specifically22 addressed it and showed how

E PUBLIC: A lot of the testimony was19 traffic can speak to that and then it was the engineer20 can speak to it and then traffic.21 THE WITNESS: Mr. Anderson specifically22 addressed it and showed how it works.23 THE PUBLIC: And with that, I know we are24 concerned about emergency vehicles, but what about25

09/27/2024 06:14:01 AM Page 141 to 144 of 180 36 of 71 sheets 141 school bus turnarounds, are those turnarounds big enough1 for school buses?2 THE WITNESS: Yes. School buses are3 designed to travel residential neighborhoods and they're4 no larger than emergency vehicles.5 THE PUBLIC: Okay. Thank you.6 And my final question is, I know you talked7 about the number of cars being, you know, in your data8 set, but I'm wondering about how does it affect the9 amount of time for cars to get out of Oval Road -- for10 the amount of time it will take cars to get out of Oval11 Road and onto Eagle Rock and whether they're making a12 left or a right and then with Eagle Rock filling up13 pretty quickly, you know, so what's the timing look like14 on, with these additional cars on drive times?15 THE WITNESS: So --16 THE PUBLIC: Can you talk about that.17 Traffic, meaning volume and then traffic, meaning time.18 People think I can go down from West Orange to Verona in19 ten minutes, now it takes me 25 minutes because of what20 people say, the traffic.21 THE WITNESS: So the difference between an22 unsignalized intersection and a signalized intersection23 is probably best described by this with your own24 experience. This particular intersection making the25 142 left out of Oval is the most difficult movement at that1 location and it's impaired by sight distance to the2 right, which makes you a little uncomfortable making the3 left and it's impaired by thru volume on Eagle Rock4 Road. So anybody making that left is delayed, depending5 upon the time of day and level of traffic, and is6 waiting for that gap and for that comfort level to make7 the left, and we all have different comfort levels as8 drivers as to making that turn. So that has a level of9 delay and frustration that you experience at an10 unsignalized intersection. With the signalized11 intersection and with the timing and level of service12 that we're achieving with the capacity, basically you,13 your experience is different. If you arrive during the14 green you have no delay. You're going to come down and15 there's a green and you're going to make the left and no16 problem. If you arrive at the end of the red then17 basically the experience you have at any traffic signal,18 the only delay you really experience is waiting for the19 light to come back to green. But you have a whole20 different experience and a whole

asically the experience you have at any traffic signal,18 the only delay you really experience is waiting for the19 light to come back to green. But you have a whole20 different experience and a whole different level of21 frustration. Your frustration is more like trying to22 make a decision, look for a gap, you're just waiting for23 the light to go green. So otherwise your experience is,24 time wise, is probably not too much different.25 143 THE PUBLIC: Right. So, you know, again,1 I'm not a traffic expert but will there an ability to2 make that left onto Oval Road from Eagle Rock, there3 will be a delayed green from the other direction.4 Sometimes in other cities or other towns are using,5 instead of going from a red arrow to a green arrow or6 vice versa, that they have a flashing yellow to warn7 that it is about to change. And this already being a8 dangerous intersection before, I think we need to look9 at the top of the line kind of whatever innovations are10 out there to prevent that. Would you agree?11 THE WITNESS: Yeah. We will be designing to12 current standards, county standards. We will be using13 state of the art detection systems that the county uses14 and the signal will be coordinated with Laurel Avenue.15 So all of that signal will incorporate the current bells16 and whistles that are available and permitted by the17 county. If it comes down to the county's acceptance of18 whatever standards they what too, but they look to19 design their signals to operate efficiently and meet the20 applicable federal requirements.21 THE PUBLIC: And final question, were you22 able to look at other intersections, and I believe you23 did look at Laurel and Eagle Rock, correct?24 THE WITNESS: We did look at it because we25 144 need to coordinate with that signal.1 THE PUBLIC: And what about the signal down2 the road at Eagle Rock and Pleasant Valley where it's3 already a disaster?4 THE WITNESS: We have not evaluated that5 intersection.6 THE PUBLIC: Okay. Could that be considered7 to evaluate that as well, to look at these changes8 because it's going to affect the whole roadway, which is9 already, I don't know if that's something that can be10 done, but it's going to definitely impact that11 intersection.12 THE WITNESS: Our focus and obligation is the13 signal at Eagle Rock and Oval.14 THE PUBLIC: Correct. But wouldn't you15 agree that could affect issues at

ng to definitely impact that11 intersection.12 THE WITNESS: Our focus and obligation is the13 signal at Eagle Rock and Oval.14 THE PUBLIC: Correct. But wouldn't you15 agree that could affect issues at Eagle, and again,16 Eagle Rock and at Pleasant Valley?17 THE WITNESS: There will additional traffic18 generation. One of the standards traffic engineers use19 and actually the state Department of Transportation uses20 to define whether you might see an impact requiring21 analysis, is whether an additional 100 vehicles per hour22 is generated through an intersection and we generate,23 once traffic comes out of Oval and distributes both east24 and west, we generate under that parameter, so we25

37 of 71 sheets Page 145 to 148 of 180 09/27/2024 06:14:01 AM 145 wouldn't consider it a study location under a traffic1 engineering standpoint. And we would not expect to2 observe a significant impact or change. That's not to3 say that it doesn't experience operating, and it's not4 to say there won't be additional vehicles traveling5 through it.6 THE PUBLIC: Thank you.7 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Got a question on Howell8 Drive. Instead of asphalt can you do GeoCell as a9 foundation base, which is permeable. It is green10 environment and is used in forests and it is able to11 withstand the compression of a fire truck.12 THE WITNESS: I think the owner can consider13 that. We just need to make sure that it works with14 grading and drainage.15 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: And also help decrease the16 pervious -- the impervious coverage that asphalt would17 normally create.18 THE WITNESS: Yeah.19 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: And it's environmentally20 friendly.21 THE WITNESS: So you got to just make sure,22 we'll call it grade drain works and emergency services23 are comfortable with that and that ownership is24 comfortable they can maintain it and plow.25 146 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Look into it, please.1 Thank you.2 Go right ahead, sir.3 THE PUBLIC: Patrick Laterza, L-A-T-E-R-Z-A.4 Couple quick questions.5 One, because I think there was some6 confusion for a moment there. The exit on Howell Road7 you keep on asking about, I know it's emergency access8 only, you just mentioned because of how it's going to be9 paved you're saying that --10 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Speak into the microphone.11 THE PUBLIC: Okay. I'm one of them.12 Because of how it's going to be paved you're13 saying that possibly cars need to be rerouted, might end14 up through that intersection in an emergency.15 Clarification that's the case or not, it's purely for16 emergency vehicles?17 THE WITNESS: There's no intent. Right now18 it's designed purely for emergency vehicles. Generally19 if we go to a paver situation you wouldn't use it as20 vehicular access. Sometimes if it was a paved roadway21 and there was some extraordinary event it would be22 there, but generally that's not the intent here and23 certainly not proposed. And certainly it would have to24 be an extraordinary event.25 147 THE PUBLIC: Okay. Because I want an idea1 how that would work plus how it impedes --2 THE WITNESS: It would be solely in the3 control for emergency

it would have to24 be an extraordinary event.25 147 THE PUBLIC: Okay. Because I want an idea1 how that would work plus how it impedes --2 THE WITNESS: It would be solely in the3 control for emergency services and the township.4 THE PUBLIC: Okay.5 Second, what are you looking at as far as a6 delay from the Laurel light over to the new light that's7 going to be set up for traffic coming across and down,8 if the lights are all conjoined?9 THE WITNESS: Yeah, actually once the signals10 designed really shouldn't be any change in flow along11 Laurel, because it would be designed for the progression12 of traffic along Eagle Rock Avenue timed to the current13 signal. The controlling signal will be Laurel Avenue.14 So I wouldn't expect any real change in travel15 experienced along Eagle Rock, accept that it would be16 more comfortable because the lanes will be better.17 There will be a separate left turn lane off Oval which18 will make that travel along Eagle Rock Avenue a better19 experience.20 THE PUBLIC: If the county comes back and21 says there needs to be some adjustment as to how that22 set up of the light is going to work on Eagle Rock, is23 that going to make you do another traffic study to24 determine how everything is going to be figured out25 148 again basically?1 THE WITNESS: I think they would actually2 use the data we developed to either concur what we're3 doing or provide input of what we're doing. I fully4 expect, as it always is, it's a collaborative design.5 We know the standards, we know what they want, so we6 generally get it right the first time. Whether there's7 something they want tweaked or adjusted we have to work8 with them.9 THE PUBLIC: Okay.10 That's all I got. Thank you.11 THE WITNESS: You're welcome.12 THE PUBLIC: Good evening. Micaela Bennett,13 Old Indian Road.14 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Speak closer to the15 microphone, please.16 THE PUBLIC: Sure.17 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.18 THE PUBLIC: Chairman, I don't know it it's19 possible to get an exhibit of Oval Road and Warner Road.20 I don't know if that exists. If there's the21 intersection of Oval and Warner. I just have a question22 about, did I hear that there's going to be a gatehouse?23 I think that there was some mention of a gatehouse.24 THE WITNESS: Not as part of this25