October 30, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

5 of 80 sheets Page 17 to 20 of 203 11/06/2024 03:21:43 PM 17 and on this side where it gets a little steep, not to1 bad, but this one in particular, as this area fills in2 with that new growth there will essentially be sponges,3 for lack of a better term and that's not a technical4 term, into the ground.5 In addition, from a visibility standpoint,6 as that growth becomes denser seeing through this space7 will be harder and harder. So natural growth8 regeneration reduces visibility through the forest,9 which to some people is disturbing but to others makes10 sense and it will increase water absorption.11 So as we go through the site we do come up12 with about, based on a revised review of the site in13 2024, we're again Davey Tree came in and did a basic14 walk-through and certain revisions. We have about 583015 new trees potentially being removed if the density in16 the developed zone is actually 212 trees per acre. And17 we can't guarantee, it's probably lower in some spots18 and generally not higher. So this number is a maximum.19 The number actually decreases because the applicant20 actually has reduced the acreage of disturbance from21 what was allowed in the settlement agreement, so22 therefore there are fewer trees potentially, and that's23 a very important word, potentially, impacted. In this24 proposed site, should it be approved, you have 7725 18 percent, approximately, of tree cover preserved in1 perpetuity.2 The negotiation called for, in this case,3 and it's actually not on 33 acres but only for 30. The4 applicant increased by three acres total deer fencing.5 33 acres of deer fencing. The eight-foot height will6 prevent deer from entering that area.7 Now, another question that had been raised8 in one of the earlier hearings, what happens to the deer9 in the fenced in area. The deer will be herded out of10 the area before the fence is closed with a gate. Each11 deer fenced area will be gated. The applicant can use12 that land for trails or recreation if they so choose,13 that's up to them of course. But the deer will be14 driven out of that particular area. In both my visits15 to the area I counted approximately eight to ten deer16 maximum on the property. Not saying there aren't -- I17 am not, I am not saying that there aren't more deer on18 that property, but I will tell you their health will be19 limited by browse.20 The nearest deer fencing

roperty. Not saying there aren't -- I17 am not, I am not saying that there aren't more deer on18 that property, but I will tell you their health will be19 limited by browse.20 The nearest deer fencing project in New21 Jersey to this site would be South Mountain Reservation.22 South Mountain Reservation has certain areas that they23 want to protect in the park with deer fencing24 surrounding it.25 19 The second area here we used the tree loss1 here. Now, this is per the plan. We are looking at,2 this says, Trees Saved. Zero. Understand that that's3 assuming that every tree has to be removed and we don't4 know that today. But for worse case scenario my report5 projects the most number of trees. If trees can be6 protected, we will work with the applicant on that. On7 that same path, understand that when this project starts8 we will be out there with a representative from Davey9 Environmental, who I retained for this process, to make10 certain that we do not leave the area of allowed11 disturbance. So the areas that are protected will be12 observed and we will work closely to monitor and make13 sure that does not change.14 The applicant was given credit for the, all15 of the native species that have been planted and they16 were given credit for every tree preserved based on the17 deer fencing. Why? Well, as I would point out to you18 and most recently in the Association of New Jersey's19 Environmental Commission Report for the fall, if you20 look in here, there's a large article on tree death in21 the northeast and the Mid-Atlantic. There's an entire22 section of this report talks about using deer fencing as23 a way to preserve and protect forests to allow them to24 regenerate. The one caveat on deer fencing is the cost.25 20 That it's expensive to put acres and acres of deer1 fencing in. In this case the applicant, when we2 negotiated with the applicant, we gave credit for that3 deer fencing to encourage that expense, if you will,4 because it's a big expense. The best price I have, that5 I've seen on deer fencing is about $20 per linear foot.6 And 33 acres and how many linear feet that is. So the7 applicant was given credit for the deer fenced area to8 encourage more areas to be deer fenced to encourage9 greater forest growth.10 In addition the native trees, shrubs and11 perennials, grasses and ground covers, that the12 applicant has agreed, and by the way

ge more areas to be deer fenced to encourage9 greater forest growth.10 In addition the native trees, shrubs and11 perennials, grasses and ground covers, that the12 applicant has agreed, and by the way these all, in terms13 of specific species, are subject to further discussion.14 Just as a point, we've already had discussion on one15 native species and substituting it for another due to,16 unfortunately, to climate change. We don't want to put17 in a tree and it just can't survive.18 This is now your seed nurser. These shrubs19 will create seed. Those seeds will be spread by wind,20 they will be spread by birds, they will be spread by21 animals. Well, if they land outside the deer fencing22 they might live, but if they land inside the deer23 fencing they have an infinitely better chance of growth.24 So we will try to encourage a greater amount of native25