August 25, 2025, Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 85 did at the conservation foundation? THE WITNESS: Well, the conservation foundation handles land resources throughout New Jersey for the benefit of all and I was in charge of a staff of 37 professionals who worked to preserve land. Throughout my tenure we preserved over 60,000 acres. MR. AFRAN: And what role did you play in the preservation of that land in your capacity? THE WITNESS: Really guiding the staff into providing a vision for what our land acquisition program should be. Where we should acquire land, for what purposes and how it should be managed with the public. So pretty much laid out the vision and I encouraged and empowered the staff to effectuate the program. MR. AFRAN: We offer Ms. Byers as a witness in the field of preservation value of land. Again, we are asking this board to designate the land or value it numerically. She's speaking in terms of the ecological value that we -- our position is that must be avoided through the site plan application. CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: This has nothing to do with the zone plan and as you stand, where you are going, has nothing to do with the zone plan. And though it is in the MLUL and it's -- MR. AFRAN: Can you speak up.