PB-25-08 Turtle back Zoo (Timber Barn) Block: 163 Lot: 1

Planner’s Memorangum Malvika Apte, PP, October 31, 2025 AICP, Township of West Orange Consulting Planner Mark Fleder, Esq. of the law firm Connell Foley, LLP represented the Applicant. . The County of Essex owns the Turtle Back Zoo. . Andrew French,P.E., of French & Parrello, testified on behalf of the County. Essex County is proposing to construct a timber barn within the existing African Adventure exhibit area. The barn will be located within a portion of the existing giraffe yard, just south of the main walkway. . The animals to be housed in the barn will include a bongo, which is a hoofstock species. . The one-story barn will feature a cedar board-and-batten facade, windows, and a shingle roof. . The structure will be approximately 52’ x 96’ in size and will contain six stalls, an indoor arena, hallways, a mechanical room, and storage space. . Two off-exhibit fenced areas, each measuring 20’ x 40’, will be located on the east and south sides of the bar.. . Daily maintenance will be completed from the rear of the barn in order to avoid disrupting the visitor experience.. . The timber barn will be accessed via the existing emergency access and maintenance driveway. . The exhibit yard will be designed to resemble the African grasslands and will include lawn areas and deciduous trees chosen to resemble African species, such as honey