September 11, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

09/27/2024 06:14:01 AM Page 133 to 136 of 180 34 of 71 sheets 133 THE WITNESS: Mr. Anderson testified to1 that, I don't have the acreage.2 THE PUBLIC: Okay. It's more not about the3 acreage it's about the road?4 MS. MCGOVERN: How many miles?5 THE PUBLIC: Yeah.6 THE WITNESS: I haven't done that7 calculation.8 THE PUBLIC: Okay. So the leading question9 leads to, so when we talk about complete streets, it's10 only viable inside the site. What about the existing11 environment and the neighborhoods, specifically Oval12 Road, Warner, Highland, are we looking at those as well?13 THE WITNESS: Well, those are --14 THE PUBLIC: It's a small space.15 THE WITNESS: Those are not in the purview16 of this application. Certainly the township adopted the17 complete streets program for the public street system18 and is looking at implementing them when they come in19 with projects and that's the intent of that resolution.20 Any new development this board is obviously looking for21 the applicants to participate, as we have, but there is22 no plan by this applicant to address that public realm.23 It's not within our purview.24 THE PUBLIC: Understood. But it is of the25 134 space that's going to be used by all of those living in1 those apartments at this point, along with the current2 neighbors as well?3 THE WITNESS: Yes.4 THE PUBLIC: So to have a road like Oval5 Road without having any sidewalks at all is unsafe as it6 is today, it's just going to become even more unsafe7 with the additional traffic on it.8 THE WITNESS: I don't know that I would9 characterize it as unsafe, but it is an existing10 condition and it is missing some of those elements, yes.11 THE PUBLIC: Has Essex County agreed to the12 traffic lights?13 THE WITNESS: We have not --14 THE PUBLIC: I understand it's in the15 Settlement Agreement. Sorry, I apologize. I understand16 it's in the Settlement Agreement, but have they actually17 agreed that that traffic light will be going in?18 THE WITNESS: So they're aware of it.19 They're receptive to it. There is a process that needs20 to pursued with the county on approval of it. Based21 upon, you know, my knowledge, based upon past practice,22 I do not see any reason why the 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

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