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

15 of 53 sheets Page 57 to 60 of 122 02/03/2026 04:49:05 PM 57 MS. McGOVERN: I have to swear you in. Put1 your name on record and address.2 THE WITNESS: Seth Weisleder, 17 Howell3 Drive, West Orange, New Jersey.4 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to5 tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth.6 THE PUBLIC: I do.7 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you. Go right8 ahead.9 THE PUBLIC: Good evening, Chair, members of10 the board. My name is Seth Weisleder, 17 Howell Drive.11 Directly -- I live directly below the proposed emergency12 access road and catty-cornered to Building D. Before I13 begin, I would like to ask you all something for a14 moment, please. Close your eyes and picture yourself15 living on Howell Drive. You're standing in a backyard16 looking up at the wooded ridge, a ridge that has always17 given our neighborhood peace, privacy and stability.18 Now imagine everything else already being built on top19 of that ridge and now imagine that same ridge being20 blasted, cut open and reshaped for a five story21 building, the largest in the entire West Essex Highlands22 project, pushed 50 feet closer to the cliffs edge than23 the original design and that the building would only sit24 a few hundred feet from your roof line and the main road25 58 on Howell Drive. That is what we, the residents, of1 Howell Drive are facing. Building D is the largest,2 tallest, closest structure to existing homes and the3 only -- and the only one placed directly on the steep4 slope made of two different types of rock, sand, salt5 and basalt. Each reacting differently under stress,6 water and excavation.7 The township commissioned CME stability to8 review and made several important points. They found9 discrepancies, also found there was no field testing or10 slope mottling. Neither engineer properly analyzed11 heavily rainfall impacts or groundwater response. CME12 recommended further slope evaluations because the13 Hillside is not behaving as the uniform predictable14 structure.15 We also have two recent local examples which16 have been already commented at 955 Pleasant Valley Way17 where construction was done and people have come to18 council complaining about slope issues. And case number19 two, the Ron Jolyn disaster. The townships own20 engineering report found conditions conducive to21 periodic rock fall following the issues and continuing22 drainage issues there. If we

case number19 two, the Ron Jolyn disaster. The townships own20 engineering report found conditions conducive to21 periodic rock fall following the issues and continuing22 drainage issues there. If we ignore these warnings,23 Howell Drive needs to be positioned to be case number24 three.25 59 Beyond safety there is a major quality of1 life impact. Building D will tower above our homes2 bringing shadows, noise, light, balconies and rooftop3 activity directly into our backyards. It will alter the4 character of our neighborhood and reduce our property5 value.6 An OPRA request by myself confirmed there7 was no proof and can't be found of the green cards8 required to notice Howell Drive residents before that9 zoning overlay was adopted. A failure of transparency10 and process.11 Developers renderings leave out Howell Drive12 homes entirely, hiding how close this structure really13 is. We also don't have clear answers about emergency14 access roads. It's exact distance from our homes,15 whether it includes sidewalks, stormwater from that16 road, how that will be managed on this unstable slope.17 Given all this I respectfully urge the board18 to vote no on Building D as currently proposed. A no19 tonight is not antidevelopment, it's pro safety, pro20 transparency and pro West Orange. A responsibile path21 forward would include re-sitting or rescaling Building D22 away from the ridge and a full independent geotechnical23 redesign with real feel testing. Accurate scale visual24 overlays that show Howell Drive and our homes and as25 60 required by law and basic fairness.1 Any board member who was directly involved2 in the settlement agreement behind closed doors or3 overlaid discussions should recuse themselves, public4 confidence depends on impartial decision making.5 A yes tonight repeats past mistakes in this6 town. A no opens the door to a safer, smarter and more7 responsible plan.8 Thank you for taking time to picture what it9 truly will feel like to live on Howell Drive.10 I do have copies of the slides, I can11 provide them.12 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: That would be great.13 Thank you.14 THE PUBLIC: This is what I already15 mentioned, environmental stormwater, quality of life16 concerns and legal. I am going to try to move quickly17 here.18 Built on the cliffs edge. Habitat impact.19 Discrepancies on the applicants and objectors expert20 testimony on slope stability and

fe16 concerns and legal. I am going to try to move quickly17 here.18 Built on the cliffs edge. Habitat impact.19 Discrepancies on the applicants and objectors expert20 testimony on slope stability and safety, quality of life21 concerns, the aesthetics, obstructing scenic views,22 causing shadows or the change of character of our23 neighborhood. Noise levels and light pollution during24 construction and eventual occupation. Property value25