September 11, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

09/27/2024 06:14:01 AM Page 117 to 120 of 180 30 of 71 sheets 117 by snowplows.1 MS. KAPFERER: One comment about the2 crosswalks. I feel like maybe red brick paver versus3 white paint, what's more visible. Just putting it out4 there for consideration. Maybe lots of people have5 their own opinions about that and safety. And also6 maintenance, sometimes the brick doesn't tend to hold7 up.8 THE WITNESS: It's a challenge for us9 because every jurisdiction is different. Some10 jurisdictions like the heavy ladder style crosswalks.11 Some jurisdictions love the pavers and some just want12 the simple two 12 foot, ten-inch crosswalk lines. In13 this case we're proposing the pavers. We think it14 works. It will be -- it'll enhance the, you know, the15 community. These are low speed, the roads are16 discontinuous, we don't have public traffic driving17 through here, you know, so from that standpoint and the18 maintenance is all on the clients.19 MS. KAPFERER: Could you consider putting20 white stripes on the sides?21 THE WITNESS: On the side of the pavers?22 MS. KAPFERER: Yeah.23 THE WITNESS: Sure.24 MS. KAPFERER: Are you aware that West Essex25 118 or that West Orange has a Zero Vision Action Plan?1 THE WITNESS: I haven't specifically2 reviewed it, but the Vision Zero Action Plan is pretty3 much state wide. Everybody is adopting those types of4 situations. Our intent as engineers is to maximize5 safety, reduce accidents, particularly deaths. And, you6 know, certainly the installation and design of the7 traffic signals is going to go a long way towards8 providing that safety.9 In terms of the site plan, I think it's well10 designed to provide that environment that's appropriate11 for pedestrians, bike and vehicular safety.12 MS. KAPFERER: One comment about the action13 plan is that there's a high injury network that's14 referenced, studies done about where the high injury15 crashes tend to be in West Orange and the topic of the16 report is actually Laurel Avenue and Eagle Rock.17 THE WITNESS: Eagle Rock.18 MS. KAPFERER: Yeah. So might be worth19 taking a look at that.20 THE WITNESS: Yeah, so associated with the21 design of the signal we are, and we did study that22 intersection so that we understood the operation. We23 will be adjusting the signal operation. We are24 lengthening the left turn lane to Laurel Avenue and the25 119 county has expressed an interest if

ntersection so that we understood the operation. We23 will be adjusting the signal operation. We are24 lengthening the left turn lane to Laurel Avenue and the25 119 county has expressed an interest if there's other1 updates to this signal, they're likely be asking us to2 do that. The two signals will be coordinated so that3 they operate nicely.4 MS. KAPFERER: I believe when we were5 looking at Building D3 there were a couple of ADA spaces6 that were across from the main entrance. Can you, can7 you describe how -- is it marked or anything? People8 who might use those spaces, how are they designated.9 THE WITNESS: If you look across the way10 where that little arrow is coming out of the front,11 right below the two spaces, ADA spaces. That is a12 depressed handicapped ramp at that location. So someone13 that ingresses any of those spaces would use that14 handicapped ramp to enter to the sidewalk.15 MS. KAPFERER: Okay.16 So the closest entrance is just crossing the17 street there and using that?18 THE WITNESS: Correct.19 MS. KAPFERER: Okay.20 I think that's all I have. Thank you so21 much.22 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: One thing I asked for the23 last meeting was, are you putting in Jitney stops along24 the way?25 120 THE WITNESS: I'll refer to the owner on1 that.2 Yes.3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.4 Okay. We'll work on that.5 Mr. Rizzo, do you have any comments and6 questions?7 MR. RIZZO: Yes, just a few things, Mr.8 Chair.9 Mr. Pehnke, I have few questions regarding10 Kuzik Drive. I have a few questions regarding Kuzik11 Drive at the end. The gate that you're showing on the12 plan, is that what you're actually proposing to use for13 emergency. The gate at the end of Kuzik Drive, that's14 for emergency purposes only and what you're showing on15 the plan is what you're proposing tonight, correct?16 THE WITNESS: That is what is on the plans17 tonight, subject to any suggestions otherwise.18 MR. RIZZO: Okay.19 And will that have like a Knox Box? And20 then, is that the plan that's been submitted to police21 and fire that they're reviewing as far as emergency22 access goes?23 THE WITNESS: It would be typical to have a24 Knox Box. I haven't been involved with any -- I haven't25