September 11, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

09/27/2024 06:14:01 AM Page 85 to 88 of 180 22 of 71 sheets 85 it.1 THE WITNESS: I don't know that the2 stipulation actually specified any phasing. You know,3 my task had been to move it forward and get it4 constructed as soon as practical. So it's linked to the5 approval of the project itself, but I don't know that it6 would be tied into any specific CO.7 MR. KLEIN: Did you analyze the intersection8 without the signal to see if it could operate without a9 traffic signal for 496 units operationally?10 THE WITNESS: No, I did not. Certainly11 before the 496 units the signal should be working.12 MR. KLEIN: Okay.13 Do you have a little more specifics with14 some traffic calming that you're going to propose or are15 you still working through that?16 THE WITNESS: I think that's a coordination17 effort. I haven't been imminently involved with that.18 It arose during the settlement talks, but my general19 understanding is there is a desire to create a gatehouse20 preferably someplace along Oval Road before the entry to21 the Essex -- the Highlands Homeowners Association. And22 my understanding is that the general intent or desire is23 to introduce a median along Warner Road to create a24 boulevard which would be a good traffic calming feature.25 86 MR. KLEIN: Warner Road as it comes off Oval1 Road?2 THE WITNESS: Yeah, as it comes off Oval3 Road, is my understanding.4 MR. KLEIN: Because there isn't one now, but5 that's where the gatehouse would be?6 THE WITNESS: Someplace along Oval Road.7 MR. PLOCKER: No, I'm just going to correct8 Mr. Pehnke. Obviously the Settlement Agreement speaks9 to the improvements for the association. Obviously10 those improvements would be made after construction of11 the project, after all the vehicles are going up and12 down Warner Road and the discussion with the association13 are that their gatehouse would be located on Warner.14 THE WITNESS: Okay.15 MR. KLEIN: Now, Oval Road is the only way16 in and out for, I don't know, 496 plus, whatever's17 existing. That's going to be a Boulevard?18 THE WITNESS: No, Oval Road will remain its19 current cartway.20 MR. KLEIN: So now, in our RSI is there21 anything about the limitations of the number of trips or22 the number of parking spaces or whatever it is that23 governs whether Oval Road needs to be a Boulevard from24 Eagle Rock to the first intersection for safety issues25 87 at that

number of trips or22 the number of parking spaces or whatever it is that23 governs whether Oval Road needs to be a Boulevard from24 Eagle Rock to the first intersection for safety issues25 87 at that intersection?1 THE WITNESS: No. So under RSIS off-site2 improvements or off-site roadways are not governed by3 RSIS. The RSIS standards explicitly start at the4 property line and carry into the site. Any development,5 any roadways that exist prior to the RSIS extending up6 to the site are not part of and/or addressed by RSIS.7 MR. KLEIN: So in your opinion if there was8 some kind of a crash at the intersection anywhere along9 Oval before you get to Rappleye Court, if there was any10 kind of crash that blocked Oval Road how would the11 people of this development and the new phase, how would12 they get out?13 THE WITNESS: Well you, actually, you know,14 that type of event, obviously that can happen. It's15 more can emergency vehicles get in. In this particular16 case, this development actually offers a solution by17 creating a connection to Howell. Certainly emergency18 vehicles will now have another way into both the new19 community as well as our adjacent neighbors in the20 Highlands.21 MR. KLEIN: So do you know if the Howell22 access would be opened to the residents of this phase as23 well as existing residents if there was a blockage of24 Oval?25 88 THE WITNESS: It would be for emergency1 vehicles. It is not an improved connection. It's a2 stabilized emergency gate.3 MR. KLEIN: How would the residents get out4 if it's a longer emergency?5 THE WITNESS: They would be impeded until it6 was cleared.7 MR. KLEIN: What stage of the signal design8 are you at right now?9 THE WITNESS: So we have prepared a -- we10 have completed surveys. We have done a preliminary11 layout of widening. We have done a preliminary signal12 layout. The signal will have full protection and13 accommodation of course on current standards. So we got14 the, basically a footprint laid out and preliminary15 grading.16 MR. KLEIN: And all the widening on Eagle17 Rock is going to be right-of-way of Essex County?18 THE WITNESS: There will be some cooperation19 required from Crestmont Country Club.20 MR. KLEIN: I think that's it for me.21 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.22 Council President Rutherford.23 COUNCIL PRESIDENT RUTHERFORD: Thank you,24 Mr. Chair.25