May 7, 2025, Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes

PB 25-02 Orange Prospect, LLC Block: 151 Lot: 17.01 Zone: B-2 111 Prospect Avenue The applicant, Orange Prospect, LLC, proposes the reconstruction of the existing driveway, walkway, path, and valet parking area, as well as renovations to the main building and existing restaurant and banquet facility, also known as the manor. PRESENTATION The attorney, Kenneth McPherson, on behalf of the applicant, states that the proposal of the reconstruction of the driveway, walking path, and valet parking area, renovations to the main building, the existing restaurant, banquet facility, construction of a portico tree, and a community garden are also proposed. The existing and proposed restaurant banquet facility is permitted in the B2 district. However, the applicant is seeking a minor variance this evening for slight impervious coverage exceedance. Applicant is also seeking preliminary and final site plan approval this evening. As part of the site plan process, the applicant submitted a tree removal and replacement plan to the township of Forrester for his approval pursuant to the ordinance. Proof of compliant public notice was provided to the board secretary establishing that adequate notice was provided in the West Orange Chronicle on April 24th, 2025, and a certified mail notice was provided to all property owners entitled to such notice. The applicant and its professionals met virtually with members of the site plan review advisory board and other township officials on April 8th, 2025, to conduct the initial and formal review. The applicant tonight will present one witness for this application, Mr. J. Michael Petry, who prepared the submitted architectural and engineering plans to provide detailed testimony as the project's duly licensed architect, engineer, and professional planner. The applicant looks forward to swiftly refurbishing this historic site, maintaining the same type of use at the property that has been there since New Year's Eve in 1956. Subsequent to that, the manor and the bow and arrow manor had some famous visitors, including George Burns, Ronald Reagan, and Stevie Wonder. The principals of the applicant have extensive experience in dining and catering, and they currently operate the Royal Manor in Garfield and the Bethwood Grand in Totowa. They treasure the opportunity to provide these same services to the West

e experience in dining and catering, and they currently operate the Royal Manor in Garfield and the Bethwood Grand in Totowa. They treasure the opportunity to provide these same services to the West Orange community at this property with the same attention to detail and service that the Knowles family provided at the manor until it closed its doors in July of 2023. Mr. Joseph Fagan, the township historian, who at their request did provide some historical records regarding the manor's operation at the site of the property and the Knowles family legacy. The architect, engineer, and professional planner, Mr. J. Michael Petry, entered on the record, he was sworn under oath and his credentials were accepted by the board. He testified to the following: Mr. Petry has received and reviewed the following reports from the town: April 9, 2025, March 20th, 2025, the Nishuane Group Board Planner Reports, the March 25th, 2025, Matric New World Board Engineer Report, and the May Sth, 2025, Pedestrian Safety Advisory Board Recommendation Memorandum. The subject property is designated as Lot 1701 in Block 151. It's more commonly known as 111 Prospect Avenue in West Orange. The property is historically operated as the Manor, a restaurant and catering facility well 17