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

11/19/2025 04:42:31 PM Page 77 to 80 of 149 20 of 59 sheets 77 MR. AFRAN: It's a factual question.1 Assuming there's two existing developments and a third2 one proposed, if that is ever built, you would agree3 that all of the residents of these three developments4 could only go in through Oval and can only go out5 through Oval, isn't that correct?6 MR. MacNEILL: Yes.7 MR. AFRAN: Thank you.8 You would also agree that if the applicant,9 which built the other developments, had built this10 development at the same time as those, this would be one11 gigantic cul-de-sac without question, isn't that true?12 MR. MacNEILL: Yes, in that hypothetical13 situation that is correct.14 MR. AFRAN: Thank you.15 I have no further questions.16 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Mayor McCartney.17 MAYOR McCARTNEY: Thank you, Chairman. I18 have a question for Mr. Plocker about the status on the19 Eagle Rock Avenue and Oval Road light I believe that was20 approved?21 MR. PLOCKER: No, I don't believe that was22 and I don't know what the current status is. Thank you,23 Mayor.24 MAYOR McCARTNEY: Thank you.25 78 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Do any other members of1 the public have any questions for Mr. MacNeill on his2 testimony? Come up and be identified. On his testimony3 this evening. Come right up, state your name for the4 record.5 THE PUBLIC: Donald Gershow, Holmhill Lane,6 Roseland.7 Regarding the traffic light on Oval Road, is8 that designed to have any impact on the traffic9 congestion that backs up at Pleasant Valley Way and10 Eagle Rock Avenue?11 MR. MacNEILL: I'm not designing the traffic12 signal. I can't answer that question.13 THE PUBLIC: All right.14 MR. MacNEILL: The questions I can answer is15 what was written in my October 29 dated today report16 that outlines the report prepared by Alexander J.17 Litwornia.18 THE PUBLIC: Okay.19 So, my numbers may be incorrect, so the 172820 additional vehicle trips that are proposed --21 MR. MacNEILL: I'll actually clarify that.22 It' actually 1728 additional trips that if the exception23 is approved would be in addition to the maximum average24 daily trips of 1000 when it's classified as a25 79 multifamily cul-de-sac.1 THE PUBLIC: Okay.2 I'm just going to use the word a lot. So a3 lot of the additional trips are going to be added onto4 Oval Road coming out of Oval Road every day,5 irrespective of whether or not we add the traffic light6 and a whole bunch of

he word a lot. So a3 lot of the additional trips are going to be added onto4 Oval Road coming out of Oval Road every day,5 irrespective of whether or not we add the traffic light6 and a whole bunch of them are going to go eastbound,7 some go westbound and right now vehicles can't go8 eastbound into Pleasantdale into West Orange. So to me9 as a Planning Board and, so, okay. I don't have to say10 anything else, I don't know where they're going to go11 but I don't how that's going to be dealt with. Okay.12 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you, sir.13 Any other members of the public have a14 question for Mr. MacNeill on his testimony? Please come15 up and be identified.16 THE PUBLIC: Rachel Klein, Howell Drive.17 Mr. MacNeill, when you were reviewing this18 were you reviewing, also keeping in mind the proposed19 business, up to four businesses in support of this20 project, but definitely one business proposed in the21 settlement. When you reviewed it did you have that in22 mind is my question?23 MR. MacNEILL: No, so what I reviewed in my24 letter on October 29 is Alexander J. Litwornia's report25 80 against the traffic engineers report and outlined what1 Alexander said and what the traffic engineer and the2 applicant said. It's as simple as that. Again, I do3 not have an opinion one way or the other on the board.4 I do not -- I did not design anything as far as --5 THE PUBLIC: No, I'm not asking you that.6 Yes, I know. But I think there's a perception, not just7 for the condominiums but the settlement specifically8 talks to a business being back there. So that was just9 my question, whether or not you had --10 MR. MacNEILL: No, I did not.11 THE PUBLIC: Thank you.12 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Any other members of the13 public have any questions for Mr. MacNeill on his14 testimony? Please come up and be identified.15 THE PUBLIC: Hi. Kevin again. Kevin16 Millman, I live at 27 Bayowski Road, West Highlands.17 So I haven't read the traffic study done by18 Alex, I forgot his last name, sorry.19 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Litwornia.20 MR. MacNEILL: Litwornia.21 THE PUBLIC: Okay. I trust you.22 Does it talk about -- so as I understand23 what you're saying, a little over 1700 more trips will24 be allowed, even through Kuzik with, even with the de25