January 29, 2025 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

7 of 57 sheets Page 25 to 28 of 143 02/13/2025 11:25:53 AM 25 MR. PLOCKER: We're going to get the page.1 THE PUBLIC: Anyway, I can literally see it2 out my kitchen window, but.3 MS. MCGOVERN: What page is this? Do we4 have a page number.5 MR. PLOCKER: Well, there's an executive6 summary at the end Diana, Ms. McGovern, and then there's7 a report proper, but total is a 73 page PDF and it's8 Page 8 of the 73 page PDF.9 MS. MCGOVERN: Thank you.10 MR. PLOCKER: This is of the Langan report11 of January this year.12 THE PUBLIC: And I just saw the size of the13 machine and I'm guessing the size of the machine can14 actually go on the slope because all the sites look15 pretty flat, it never, none of these actual tests were16 into any of the actual sloping parts and it's a huge17 machine and I know from where I can see they're pretty18 high up most of these sites that samples were taken. Do19 you know any different?20 THE WITNESS: Well, the borings and test21 pits were taken as they're shown on here and some of22 them are on fairly, they are steeper. The area itself23 is generally flat.24 THE PUBLIC: Just where Building D is going25 26 to go?1 THE WITNESS: I'm saying where along the2 steep agenda the profile has these two horizontal lines,3 you a series of test pits and bores. I'm saying that,4 that profile is generally relatively flat and I think5 that means different things to different people. Some6 people might --7 THE PUBLIC: Many people think flat is8 like there's no hill.9 THE WITNESS: Well, I would say relatively10 flat in terms of slope. So what it means, 10 degrees is11 relatively flat in terms stability. If the soil12 material is very dense it has a very high degree of13 strength relative to the slope. So if it has 34 degrees14 of friction and your slope is only 10 degrees it's15 material is inherently much more stable than the driving16 forces would otherwise allow to, to sheer it.17 THE PUBLIC: The other general question was,18 whose decision was it to do the stability study? Was it19 -- you're hired by the developer, but who's running it,20 is the planning board, do you know, or was it the21 developers? Curiosity.22 THE WITNESS: That I don't know. The23 request came from the owner.24 MR. PLOCKER: I will make that25 27 representation based on the comments and questions that1 we received at earlier hearings and the concern by the2 public which we

The23 request came from the owner.24 MR. PLOCKER: I will make that25 27 representation based on the comments and questions that1 we received at earlier hearings and the concern by the2 public which we respected, we decided to go out and3 retain Langan and Langan performed the study on behalf4 of us. We then filed with the board and Mr. Seel is5 here tonight.6 THE PUBLIC: So you then decided as well,7 but the developer --8 MR. PLOCKER: Based upon the comments, there9 were a lot of comments made about the location of10 Building D and why that was chosen and the specific11 location it was in. Based upon those comments we had12 Langan prepare the report regarding the stability of the13 proposed location Building D as set forth on the site14 plan.15 THE WITNESS: I think you're asking who16 prepared the boring locations. That was us. It was an17 independent review of the ask and we developed this18 program.19 THE PUBLIC: So before you came to the site20 were you familiar with the history of the land, the21 site, things that have been developed around the ridge22 line before, like the Highlands, the houses on Howell23 Drive, the ground?24 THE WITNESS: I can't say that we -- I25 28 personally was familiar with all the development around1 the site.2 THE PUBLIC: The planning board said that3 they do these kinds of tests and studies before any4 developments get done for safety and stability. When5 The Grand was built and they did the top of The Grand6 there was a landslide and it knocked a couple houses on7 --8 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: I'm sorry. You're9 testifying. You can ask questions about what he said.10 Please don't testify. The public will come after we are11 done.12 THE PUBLIC: So were you aware of the13 landslide in a very close location to this? It wasn't14 owned by the same owner, it was the same ridge line and15 hill, continuous forest.16 THE WITNESS: No, I was not.17 THE PUBLIC: And the very top of the same18 slope just further south.19 THE WITNESS: No, I wasn't familiar with it.20 THE PUBLIC: Thank you.21 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.22 THE PUBLIC: Can I ask another question.23 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: State your name again,24 sir.25