September 3, 2025 Planning Board Regular 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 5 and already rely on retaining walls the stability of the slope is a major safety issue. I cannot forget what happened a few years ago on Northfield Avenue in West Orange when the rock slide forced families from the Ron Jolyn Apartments. That disaster displaced residents and showed that the risk could have been avoided, that they had been studied and addressed earlier. A report for the Township on nearby properties found conditions conducive to periodic rock fall and recommended immediate and future protections. The report also highlighted the importance of examining surface drainage patterns during normal and extreme rainfall. I am not convinced that this has been fully studied for the slope directly below Building D for this project. We must not repeat that mistake. Given these facts I respectfully request that the Planning Board retain an independent geotechnical engineer to conduct an independent study of the slopes of building and the potential risk to the homes below from blasting and construction of Building D. This study must be performed using the highest recognized professional standards available to assess rock fall, slope failure, flooding hazards and recommend pre and post construction mitigation steps where appropriate. These risks need to be measured and