January 14, 2026, Planning Board Special Meeting - WEHI Transcript

02/03/2026 04:49:05 PM Page 53 to 56 of 122 14 of 53 sheets 53 decision based on testimony, your feelings and how this1 process has gone on so far. So state you name for the2 record?3 THE PUBLIC: My name is Jonathan Poor,4 P-O-O-R.5 MS. McGOVERN: Jonathan.6 THE PUBLIC: Jonathan Poor.7 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to8 tell the truth nothing but the truth.9 THE WITNESS: I do.10 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Sir, go right ahead.11 THE PUBLIC: I am here to read a letter from12 the Maplewood Environmental Advisory Committee. I was13 told that I wasn't able to read it into the record14 before public comment, so I am here during public15 comment to do it.16 Thank you for being willing to serve on the17 Planning Board members. I know it's quite time18 consuming. The Maplewood Environmental Committee19 Advisory Committee strongly urges the Township of West20 Orange to reject the proposal by Garden Homes to build21 nearly 500 homes on a 120 acre property known as West22 Essex Highlands, an old growth forest that contains tens23 of thousands of trees. This site is the last24 unprotected core forest on Watching Mountains Second25 54 Ridge. It has been designated by town and county as an1 important preservation site. As such it is an obvious2 target for acquisition for either green acres or open3 space funding.4 Risks to local flooding and region wide5 drinking water, including Maplewoods water supply, are6 significant as detailed in the report form Princeton7 Hydro. Drinking water from Maplewood's more than 25,0008 residents could be affected from runoff from this9 property. Given the current critical state of action to10 stop or ameliorate the effects of climate change it is11 more important than ever to preserve this core forest12 which provides benefits of sequestering carbon,13 preventing flooding and stormwater runoff, protecting14 air quality among others.15 We also understand from other commentor's16 and experts in the field that the proposed project is17 not in compliance with the new New Jersey DEP stormwater18 regulations.19 For these reasons the Maplewood20 Environmental Advisory Committee urges the Township of21 West Orange to reject the proposed 496 unit development22 on said lands and preserve a 120 acres of forested land23 in perpetuity.24 Please note that the Maplewood Township25 55 Committee as indicated in a separate letter has also1 voted unanimously to

ent22 on said lands and preserve a 120 acres of forested land23 in perpetuity.24 Please note that the Maplewood Township25 55 Committee as indicated in a separate letter has also1 voted unanimously to communicate it's opposition to this2 developer.3 Given the strong public interest and public4 purpose that would be furthered by the preservation of5 this parcel, the Maplewood EAC encourages the Township6 of West Orange to pursue Green Acres or other funds to7 acquire this property for preservation, use and8 enjoyment by members of the public both township and the9 region.10 Please let us know if the Township of11 Maplewood or our committee can be helpful to support12 West Orange in securing this parcel.13 Sincerely, Maplewood Environmental14 Committee. Thank you.15 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.16 Any other members of the public have any17 comment about the application? Please come up and be18 identified.19 Any members of the public have a comment20 about the application? Come up and be identified.21 THE PUBLIC: Good evening, Mr. Chairman.22 Before I begin my comment, I would like to request that23 I spend three minutes speaking and two minutes on24 formally showing a set of slides into the record as an25 56 exhibit. The slides contain photographs I personally1 took on Howell Drive showing the slope conditions and2 then the next images are using Google Maps.3 MR. PLOCKER: I thought the record was4 closed. This is public comment, correct?5 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: He has a comment.6 MS. McGOVERN: It's a comment. He is7 illustrating his comment.8 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Sit down, Mr. Afran. I9 got it.10 MR. PLOCKER: That's fine.11 MR. AFRAN: Our position is the public can12 offer evidence, including documented evidence.13 THE PUBLIC: I do actually have --14 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Guys. Let's have a little15 order. Okay. I understand what you're saying. My16 decision, I made it, you can show it. Okay.17 Joe, can you put it up? Good.18 Do you want to talk while he's doing that?19 THE PUBLIC: I'm going to speak first and20 then two minutes on that.21 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Yeah. Go ahead.22 MR. PLOCKER: Could we, for the record,23 confirm, Mr. Weisleder's address.24 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Go ahead.25