October 29, 2025, Planning Board Special Meeting - WEHI Transcript

15 of 59 sheets Page 57 to 60 of 149 11/19/2025 04:42:31 PM 57 from CME to discuss traffic.1 Mr. MacNeil.2 MR. MacNEILL: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.3 I'll start off, again, with reiterating, this memo is4 neither in support or -- in support of either the5 applicant or the objectors in this case. It's strictly6 to outline the facts as CME sees it based on the7 regulations.8 So the first point -- so this is all9 regarding, first couple points are regarding the10 classifications of the roadways as it relates to RSIS.11 So the average daily traffic for a 496 unit mid-rise12 apartment project is approximately 2728 trips. Since13 you have that many trips you do require the second means14 of ingress and egress. The development is proposing15 that through Warner Road and Kuzik Drive as well as16 emergency access via Howell Drive. Therefore it's17 indicated within the applicants traffic engineers18 testimony and traffic impact study, the roadways should19 be classified as minor collector roadways with total20 traffic volume that should not exceed 3500 trips.21 The applicant did request a de minimis22 exception from RSIS to allow the closure of Kuzik Drive,23 except for emergency vehicles. If that exception was24 granted by the Planning Board, which as the board you25 58 either can grant or deny that exception. If that road1 is closed to meet standard traffic then it would be2 classified as a multifamily cul-de-sac with the maximum3 of 1000 average daily trips, which would be exceeded by4 the proposed development which thereby requires the de5 minimis exception. This is all detailed within the6 applicants request for the de minimis exception.7 So, again, it's up for board consideration8 whether to grant or deny that de minimis exception.9 The second point -- so, again, the second10 point in this -- let me backtrack a bit.11 This is all in reference to the traffic12 engineers review prepared by Alexander Litwornia, who is13 a PE and professional planner with Litwornia Associates14 dated August 22, 2025.15 So his second conclusion was amount of16 traffic to be utilized by Warner Road from the proposed17 development would be way in excess of the 1000 trips per18 day that RSIS allows. It would be approximately 272819 trips or 2.7 times allowed volume, if classified as a20 multi unit cul-de-sac and quadruple the amount of21 traffic at a looped roadway. So this is directly

IS allows. It would be approximately 272819 trips or 2.7 times allowed volume, if classified as a20 multi unit cul-de-sac and quadruple the amount of21 traffic at a looped roadway. So this is directly from22 Mr. Litwornia's report. Just as indicated the applicant23 has submitted a de minimis exception request for the24 closure of Kuzik Drive except for emergency vehicles up25 59 for Planning Board consideration. The applicants1 request for de minimis exception indicates that the2 opening of Kuzik Drive to the normal flow of traffic to3 and from the proposed residential community will exact4 an unnecessary and undue hardship on the existing5 residents of the West Essex Highlands Condominium along6 Kuzik Drive.7 Further that request indicates that public8 safety is not compromised because Kuzik Drive will9 accommodate emergency access. So, again, this is10 directly from the applicants de minimis exception11 request that has been filed to the board.12 The third point in Mr. Litwornia's report13 was regarding the intersection of Eagle Rock Avenue and14 Oval Road must be signalized. So as indicated within15 the applicants traffic impact study a traffic signal is16 proposed at the intersection of Eagle Rock Avenue and17 Oval Road, which is expected to operate at a level of18 service A. Level of service A represents the best19 operating conditions, whereas level of service F20 represents the worst. So if the board did come to a21 decision and grant the applicant approval for this22 development, the installation of the traffic signal at23 Eagle Rock Avenue and Oval Road will be required.24 Point 4 in Mr. Litwornia's report is, a25 60 left-turn lane should be installed on Eagle Rock Avenue1 at Oval Road. So, again, as indicated within the2 applicants traffic impact study Eagle Rock Avenue3 eastbound will be widened to provide a left turn lane4 into Oval Road, a through lane and a through right-turn5 lane into Crestmont County Club.6 Further as indicated above, if the7 development is granted approval by the Planning Board8 the installation of the signal and it's improvements at9 Eagle Rock Avenue and Oval Road will be required.10 Point 5 is regarding the roadway width11 should be improved at the divided section to a minimum12 of 20 feet on each side of the medium. So this is13 directly from the applicants traffic engineers testimony14 and our office does agree that

1 should be improved at the divided section to a minimum12 of 20 feet on each side of the medium. So this is13 directly from the applicants traffic engineers testimony14 and our office does agree that RSIS clarification number15 3 does not require a development to improve adjacent16 roadways.17 Number 6 of Mr. Litwornia's letter is18 regarding, road slopes are higher than RSIS allows. So19 essentially RSIS Table 4.6 is very clear, the maximum20 allowable grade for minor collector road is ten percent.21 The applicant has proposed roads up to ten percent, but22 has not exceeded that standard. And I will add to that,23 that if the de minimis exception is granted by the24 Planning Board and it will be considered multifamily25