June 30, 2025, Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

31 of 70 sheets Page 121 to 124 of 175 08/07/2025 02:56:42 PM 121 Share Housing Center that there are much preferable1 sites in West Orange.2 MR. PLOCKER: Again, this is going to the3 heart of the litigation that took place over about a4 five-year period.5 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Move on, please.6 MR. AFRAN: Well, it goes really to the7 motivation. He's trying to dispel the idea we're not --8 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: The board understands.9 Heard this already.10 THE PUBLIC: I would just refer the Planning11 Board to one document, I hope you have seen it, the Fair12 Share Housing Center published in December 2024, a13 publication entitled, Developing Effective Housing Plans14 In The Fourth Round. A Guide for Municipalities,15 Planners, Developers, Non Profits and Advocates. It16 provides, I think, very important and relevant guidance17 as to what is a suitable location.18 MR. PLOCKER: Okay. Again, I'm going to19 object. That's a document that was prepared, allegedly20 issued by the Fair Share Housing Center who, for21 everyone here, is the public advocate and nonprofit22 organization that seeks to enforce the Mount Laurel23 doctrine. But one, it was put out, I believe, correct24 me if I'm wrong Mr. Tractenberg, 2024 regarding the25 122 fourth round, Fair Share Housing Center was a party to a1 companion settlement agreement in the towns third round2 Declaratory Judgement action. I think it's -- it's not3 relevant and I'm sure it's -- I'll leave it at that.4 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.5 Move on.6 THE PUBLIC: Well, I know and lots of7 residents think that finding a suitable and appropriate8 location for affordable housing is a top priority. It9 may be that Fair Share Housing Center entered into an10 agreement, they're active conversations going on as to11 whether --12 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: It's not us. We're not13 part of that.14 THE PUBLIC: Right. I assume part of the15 Planning Boards concern and effort is to ensure, not16 only that the units are built, but they are built in a17 suitable location and that I think is --18 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Yes, so we have a zone.19 THE PUBLIC: I think with that I am20 finished. I am happy to answer any questions.21 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: I want to thank you very22 much.23 MR. PLOCKER: Thank you, Mr. Tractenberg.24 THE PUBLIC: You're welcome.25 123 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Any other members of the1 public want to testify? I'm sorry. Wait one second.2 Don't go

you very22 much.23 MR. PLOCKER: Thank you, Mr. Tractenberg.24 THE PUBLIC: You're welcome.25 123 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Any other members of the1 public want to testify? I'm sorry. Wait one second.2 Don't go away.3 Members of the board have questions?4 Mayor McCartney.5 MAYOR McCARTNEY: I don't have any6 questions, just a couple things that Mr. Tractenberg did7 say, the only comment that I want to make is that I do8 remember from the -- the only comment that I do remember9 from the original application was the road egress and10 ingress and the township in the process of developing11 the fourth round affordable housing --12 THE PUBLIC: With all due respect, I have a13 copy of your resolution and there were a number of14 concerns.15 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Tractenberg, we're not16 going to --17 THE PUBLIC: I thought the Mayor raised a18 question and I was trying to respond.19 MS. McGOVERN: I was talking about the20 fourth round.21 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: One commonality that was22 the roadway, we agree to that.23 MAYOR McCARTNEY: And I think what I do24 recall is talking about trying to preserve the land.25 124 That it was never for sale, so as I remember actually1 asking that during the hearing at that time and we have,2 we were told numerous times the property was not for3 sale.4 THE PUBLIC: Well, I don't think that's5 entirely accurate. We were in serious discussions with6 the developer --7 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mr. Tractenberg, it's the8 way she remembers it. This is the way she remembers.9 This is the way she remembers.10 MR. AFRAN: So I do think if, I do think11 with great respect, I do think that if the Mayor raised12 her own recollection it was not for sale then I know the13 witness, who also was involved with these things at the14 time, does have a right to give his actual recollection.15 MR. PLOCKER: It's not relevant whether the16 property was for sale or not.17 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: He did. He talked about18 what happened. So he had his recollection, the Mayor19 has her recollection.20 MR. AFRAN: Okay. That's fair.21 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.22 THE PUBLIC: Just one thing that's not a23 matter of recollection but of record. The Township24 actually submitted in 2010 a Green Acres proposal to25