December 10, 2025, Planning Board Special Meeting - WEHI Transcript

01/14/2026 10:36:25 AM Page 109 to 112 of 144 28 of 55 sheets 109 constantly looking over their back. Can you ensure us1 tonight that nothing will happen?2 THE WITNESS: I can't do ensurances, but3 it's the analysis that shows that it's not likely, but4 that's the best I can do.5 THE PUBLIC: Would you feel safe living here6 below the project?7 THE WITNESS: I would feel safe.8 THE PUBLIC: Thank you.9 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Come right up.10 THE PUBLIC: Hi. My name is Jacqueline11 Kennedy.12 I had a question for you regarding the13 gentleman's cross-examination. You seem to sort of14 downplay the likelihood of what we're calling the15 100-year storm, but I've lived here 16 years and we've16 had three 100-year storms in the --17 THE WITNESS: No, I was not saying a18 100-year storm is not likely.19 THE PUBLIC: Okay.20 THE WITNESS: I was saying that the21 development of the infinite slope, this is a technical22 term, the infinite slope condition, the likelihood of23 that developing is not great. It's something that we24 recommended as a "what if" analysis to see what the25 110 reserve stability would be.1 THE PUBLIC: And I guess another question I2 would say, you keep talking how one of the slopes, and I3 know we're talking about several, that there would be4 some trees as a buffer. My understanding is that there5 were trees, the trees for the buffer, if there were6 anything, the slope would remain with trees. Part of7 the slope, correct? Is that what you said.8 THE WITNESS: Correct.9 THE PUBLIC: So I'm wondering how much is a10 good amount to absorb any kind of slide, because there11 were trees buffering Seton Hall's field and the12 apartments as well, so how do we measure how much trees13 is enough trees to prevent a slide from happening again?14 THE WITNESS: I, I think that the situation15 that you're talking about below the field is much16 different. It's -- I haven't done an investigation or17 anything like that on the site. I did read a report for18 the existing residences, there was an engineering report19 done that are adjacent to the apartment building, it's20 an entirely different situation than the slope we're21 talking about. That's like, the slope is nearly22 vertical and, and the rock is entirely exposed and it's23 not buttressed by soil at the toe. This slope is. The24 one for the West Essex, the one slope below Building D25 111 is buttressed by soil. So

vertical and, and the rock is entirely exposed and it's23 not buttressed by soil at the toe. This slope is. The24 one for the West Essex, the one slope below Building D25 111 is buttressed by soil. So it's not, it's not the same1 type of condition as what, as the one you're referring2 to.3 THE PUBLIC: Okay. Thank you.4 THE WITNESS: You're welcome.5 THE PUBLIC: Jack Michael of Verona.6 I just want some clarity, you spoke earlier,7 maybe last week, is this a soil slope? You kept8 mentioning a soil slope.9 THE WITNESS: All of the modes of stability10 that were analyzed by the two engineers, the engineer11 for the, for We Care and the engineer for the applicant,12 all evaluated soil slopes that -- all the analysis and13 calculations that were done involved safety factors in14 the soil.15 THE PUBLIC: Okay.16 Now, would you, as a professional, rather17 build on a soil slope or on a rock slope?18 THE WITNESS: They both have their problems19 and --20 THE PUBLIC: If you had a preference.21 THE WITNESS: I prefer soil slope myself.22 You're asking me a personal opinion, this is not a23 professional recommendation.24 THE PUBLIC: You'd rather go on a soil slope25 112 rather than a rock slope where the stability on a rock1 slope is greater?2 THE WITNESS: Sorry.3 THE PUBLIC: Stability on a rock slope is4 greater.5 THE WITNESS: I don't know. It's kind of6 hypothetical. I don't know.7 THE PUBLIC: Okay.8 THE WITNESS: Soils are easier to work with9 and rock is not, if you have to. But the rock we're10 talking about here is not involved in the construction11 itself.12 THE PUBLIC: But earlier you talked about a13 mountain slide factor. The mountain slide factor that14 exists already on this property, you just spoke about15 it.16 THE WITNESS: Oh. Oh, okay. I know what17 you're referring to. You're referring to the landslide18 hazard report.19 THE PUBLIC: You just mentioned about that20 15, 20 minutes ago.21 THE WITNESS: Sorry.22 THE PUBLIC: You just mentioned it about 15,23 20 minutes ago.24 THE WITNESS: I mentioned it in our report.25