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

27 of 33 sheets Page 105 to 108 of 130 09/16/2025 06:29:53 AM 105 Plocker didn't get it. I would suggest we let Mr.1 Pannullo begin and if the board Chair or the board2 itself feels that it's not appropriate the board could3 rule. That's the only thing I could suggest.4 MR. PLOCKER: The applicant would ask for a5 proffer what the testimony's going to be concerning.6 MS. McGOVERN: Yeah, I agree with that and I7 think Mr. Afran, you're the one who should give the8 proffer because you're the attorney for the group.9 MR. AFRAN: The attorneys don't control all10 of the world, as Ms. McGovern will acknowledge.11 MS. McGOVERN: I do understand that. I do.12 I understand it. I live it. But maybe you want to have13 a consultation and you could -- you can in your judgment14 advise the board as to why this is evidence that the15 board needs at this time.16 MR. AFRAN: May I suggest that we take a17 ten-minute break, also because I want to check on one of18 the experts availability.19 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Before go. Ladies and20 gentlemen of the public, what we're doing is trying to21 work within the guidelines of how information is22 provided to the Planning Board so we can use it to make23 the judgment on an application. Small application in24 your backyard or a big application for hundreds of25 106 units. The goal is that we all have rules that we have1 to follow. If we start going left or right of the rules2 it becomes problematic, because the applicant, the3 objector and the public doesn't get a fair hearing.4 Just like in court. This is a quasi judicial body, we5 have to follow the rules. There are pieces of evidence6 provided by experts, as you heard this evening, Mr.7 Green the civil engineer, he has degrees in civil8 engineering and also holds a license in the State of New9 Jersey. His testimony is provided based on his10 licenses, his education and his understanding of the11 application. On the other hand, the public is allowed12 to comment at the end of the application about the13 application and they will have time, you will have time14 to say what's on your mind, whether in favor, not in15 favor, ask questions, but mostly for comment on what you16 feel, how you feel. That's what that part of the17 application is for. So at this time we're asking for18 information that is of the highest level provided by19 experts so the board can understand better how

ow you feel. That's what that part of the17 application is for. So at this time we're asking for18 information that is of the highest level provided by19 experts so the board can understand better how this20 application fits within the zone plan and all the moving21 parts you have been listening to over the last 14 or so22 meetings provided by the applicant, our experts and the23 objector. So to that end, take five minutes Mr. Afran.24 MR. AFRAN: Yes, thank you.25 107 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Yes, take a five minute1 break.2 (Whereupon, a short recess is taken.)3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you. We're back on4 the record.5 Mr. Afran. We're back with Mr. Afran6 momentarily.7 Mr. Plocker, there was some information in8 the New York Times and the National Forestry Service I9 had read about mini forests, also known as microforests.10 Small density planted areas designed to mimic a natural11 forests echo system. It seems that these are coming12 vogue. They have great biodensity, lots of good air13 quality, so on and so forth. We would like to ask that14 we have funding to speak to Mr. DeFeo, the forester for15 the Planning Board, to find out more about this and how16 it is going to help this application.17 MR. PLOCKER: So is the board making a18 request of the applicant --19 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Yes, the board is.20 MR. PLOCKER: Okay. Yeah, that's fine.21 MS. McGOVERN: Bruce, I did forward a copy22 of the e-mail. I know you're probably not looking at23 that --24 MR. PLOCKER: You mean Bryan. You said25 108 Bruce.1 MS. McGOVERN: Oh. I'm sorry. I'm looking2 at Bryan. I did send it to you.3 MR. PLOCKER: I did receive an e-mail.4 We'll take a look at it. That's no problem. Thank you.5 MS. McGOVERN: It's fascinating. I know6 Lori has toured one, right?7 MR. AFRAN: I'm sorry, I can't hear.8 MS. McGOVERN: One of our board members has9 actually toward one of these microforests.10 MS. KAPFERER: And there's some that the11 Environmental Commission planted, they call it a tiny12 forest. So I think that's what you're referring to.13 MS. McGOVERN: Yeah. Got some very14 beneficial qualities to it. Introducing a heat island,15 creating some real natural habitat, allowing for -- I16 don't know.17 MR. AFRAN: Why are we talking about18 microforests? Has anybody spoke to that.19 MS. McGOVERN: No, but there we're20 discussions about the loss of the forest from the21 environmental person and whether

R. AFRAN: Why are we talking about18 microforests? Has anybody spoke to that.19 MS. McGOVERN: No, but there we're20 discussions about the loss of the forest from the21 environmental person and whether this would be helpful22 as a substitute for that.23 MR. AFRAN: Well, none of my experts have24 spoke to the issues yet. And creating a microforest is25