PB-24-01 West Essex Highlands Inc; Block: 179 Lot: 32 Zone: IH-1

29. 30. 31. 32; 538i, Applicant proposed to plant 1,498 trees more than what the ordinance required when factoring in the credit from the deer fence. In addition to the native trees that Applicant proposed to plant, they agreed to plant 1,013 native shrubs and 2,320 native grasses and ground covers throughout the site. The Board’s environmental expert, Wayne DeFeo, LEED AP, BD&C, offered testimony which supported the position that the installation of deer fencing on the undisturbed portion of the property would create a healthier forest by permitting the underbrush to regenerate and so that new saplings, which are currently in short supply due to the ravishing of the deer, can grow to full sized trees which will in turn, provide additional benefits such as allowing native plants to regrow, and more stormwater absorption to take place. Stormwater management is governed by the 2021 storm water regulations. The DEP determined that the project met the requirements of the Stormwater Management rules promulgated by the DEP and issued a permit dated November 15, 2024, which was provided to the Board. Five (5%) percent of the parking stalls were provided for Electric Vehicles (EV) and another 5% of the parking stalls were proposed as EV make-ready. The project provided full parking, without the application of EV credits. The buildings were designed with life safety in mind as they were fully sprinklered, had three (3) hour fire rated walls and floors in the lobby and garage and upstairs were one-hour fire rated. There were also areas located within each building to allow someone to be in a safe place waiting for first responders.