January 29, 2025 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

3 of 57 sheets Page 9 to 12 of 143 02/13/2025 11:25:53 AM 9 So we'll go around the board.1 Mayor McCartney, do you have any questions2 for the professional, Mr. Seel, on his testimony?3 MAYOR MCcARTNEY: Thank you for being here,4 because that was one of my major concerns, I was talking5 to our engineer about that slope. The Township had6 adopted a steep slope ordinance in 2001, so we're7 saddling this applicant with that ordinance and I wanted8 some assurances about the stability of that slope. So I9 guess we'll dig further into this, no pun intended.10 Thank you.11 Thank you, Mr. Chairman.12 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you, Mayor13 McCartney.14 Vice Chairman Guarino, do you have any15 questions on Mr. Seel's testimony?16 VICE CHAIRMAN GUARINO: Not at this time,17 Mr. Chairman.18 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Alper, do you have any19 question on Mr. Seel's testimony?20 MR. ALPER: In the report, one of the21 graphics in the report shows Building D where it is and22 it also shows a drawing of the line that's labeled, I23 think on the report at the top of the slope or24 approximate top of the slope. I notice in some back and25 10 forth questioning and previous testimony from other1 witnesses the concept of the zoning allowing for2 building only on one side of the, I think the ridge line3 is the expression used, if I'm remembering correctly,4 but that's not -- how far is the closest approach of5 Building D to the actual top of the slope to that line6 in the center there?7 THE WITNESS: To the -- so there's two lines8 on the drawing, one is a limit of disturbance line, the9 dash line. There's another line that you're referring10 to, the closest points about 13 feet, if I recall.11 MR. ALPER: So I think it was 7 feet from12 the line of disturbance, to the area of disturbance13 line, but it's 13 feet from the slope?14 THE WITNESS: I'd have to verify, but that's15 what I recall.16 MR. ALPER: Okay. Thank you.17 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Wilkes, do you have18 any questions of Mr. Seel on his testimony?19 MR. WILKES: No, no questions at this time.20 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Councilwoman Scarpa, do21 you have any questions on Mr. Seel's testimony?22 COUNCIL PERSON SCARPA: Not at this time.23 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Hess, do you have any24 questions on Mr. Seel's testimony?25 11 MR. HESS: Just one quick question.1 Is there any seismic risk at the property?2 THE WITNESS: So in terms of

time.23 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Hess, do you have any24 questions on Mr. Seel's testimony?25 11 MR. HESS: Just one quick question.1 Is there any seismic risk at the property?2 THE WITNESS: So in terms of generally3 speaking in New Jersey seismic risks are low. There is4 a map what's called fault, which is discounted the rock,5 that is, I believe it was maybe a half mile or a quarter6 mile away. Sorry, I will repeat that. There's a map7 what's fault discounting the rock, but that is, there is8 no activity on it that's in the record and it is9 generally consistent with a lot of the other findings10 available for seismic risk shock. Our findings are very11 low seismic risk.12 MR. HESS: Okay. Thank you.13 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Haizel, do you have14 any questions on Mr. Seel's testimony?15 MR. HAIZEL: Yes.16 Just to pick up on Mr. Hess. If -- is there17 any risk when you factor in any type of blasting into18 the process?19 THE WITNESS: So any type of blasting I would20 just emphasize caution on. I would say blasting of any21 rock can be done safely. I have been involved and I've22 recommended blasting within a foot of high-rise23 foundation buildings, towers. As long as they're24 controlled blasting techniques that are put in place,25 12 blasting can be done very safely on any -- in any1 setting.2 MR. HAIZEL: But is there anything3 particular about this profile as you mentioned that is,4 makes it a little more at risk with blasting?5 THE WITNESS: No, there is nothing about this6 site that's inherently, in my view, inherently at risk7 of blasting. As long as controlled blasting techniques8 are properly implemented, there's no risk.9 MR. HAIZEL: Thank you.10 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Let the record show that11 Mr. Cardoza joined the board.12 Mayor McCartney.13 MAYOR MCcARTNEY: Thank you.14 Mr. Seel, Mr. Haizel's question begs the15 question about is there anything that the applicant has16 to do to shore up the slope if there's any blasting to17 Building D?18 THE WITNESS: No, typically what would happen19 on many developments is that the contractor would design20 construction documents that require such measures be21 implemented and then the contractor would implement22 those. That would be done at the drill site, so there23 will be nothing needed within the slope. Findings of24 the slope stability under seismic analysis show that it25