September 10, 2025, Planning Board Special Meeting.

Housing Element and Fair Share Plan (HEFSP): being not a typical Master Plan element and displays the present/prospective needs. Vacant Land Adjustment (VLA) o Municipalities can request an “adjustment” to their obligation. But there is not sufficient vacant or developable land within the municipality. oA Vacant Land Adjustment: West Orange received this in 2017 as part of Third Round compliance. o The end result of a VLA: Determination of West Orange’s “Realistic Development Potential” (RDP) for new affordable units. oRDP: In the Third Round West Orange had 421 units. Portion of West Orange’s fair share obligation that can be realistically created after accounting for the lack of vacant land. This number can change based on changes in circumstances. o Unmet Need: Third Round of Unmet Need had 533 units. The portion of West Orange’s fair share obligation that cannot realistically be created because of the lack of developable land. Process for Adoption of Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan: o Planning Board adopts HEFSP as an Element of the Master Plan o Governing Bost Endorses the Adopted HEFSP o The Adopted and Endorsed HEFSP is Submitted to The Program PUBLIC QUESTIONS/COMMENTS Andrea Marcus (5 Crestwood Drive) spoke in opposition due to the congestion of Pleasant Valley Way and the irresponsibility of adopting this, and asked why it is even being considered. Ms. Gruel answered that it is constitutional to address, but that the courts “just don’t care and the Towns are not considered.” Grayson Jordan (11 Lowell Drive) spoke in opposition to the adoption of this stating that the opportunity to use Zoning as a tool with cultural uses. Jacklyn Hendy (6 Beverly Road) spoke in opposition to this believing that it is only for commercial/corporate gain, and not for the public interest. Roz Mozkowitz (11 Wedgewood Drive) spoke in opposition to this because of businesses, residential properties on Pleasant Valley Way being limited, the stress on the sewer system and believes the quality of life will be severely limited. Joyce Rudin (38 Woodland Avenue) spoke in opposition to this because she believes that this proposal is “creating generations of renters” where it is incompatible with alternative ideas offered with leverage for affordable housing Derek Orth (On Behalf of Daughters of Israel) spoke in favor on behalf of Daughters of

rations of renters” where it is incompatible with alternative ideas offered with leverage for affordable housing Derek Orth (On Behalf of Daughters of Israel) spoke in favor on behalf of Daughters of Israel for their clients to be able to stay in West Orange. He provided a listing of the services provided by the Daughters of Israel and emphasized that they will have to close if not approved within the next decade. Wendy Shuman (21 Curry Lane) spoke in opposition and concurred with Ms. Rudin’s statements. Lisa Taylor (70 Blackburne Terrace) spoke in favor of this approval because of her personal experiences with Daughters of Israel. Todd Dubovy (10 Burnett Terrace) spoke in opposition to this stating that it is not in every area and is not a balanced plan and opined that if there was a full time Town Planner this would not be even presented to us. He then blamed current and past mayors (McCartney and Parisi) and suggested that Mayor McCartney recuse herself from voting on this. He commented that downtown should have been considered in this as well.