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

02/03/2026 04:49:05 PM Page 69 to 72 of 122 18 of 53 sheets 69 how many do we really need.1 Also think about this, those who live there2 at Essex Green have a supermarket, restaurants, movie3 theater, best of all they have public transportation4 readily available. This proposed project does not offer5 any of those conveniences which would be surely needed.6 Okay. Now let's look at the liability side.7 It says here, oh my God, it's actually overwhelming,8 probably take five to ten hours to cover everything9 that's wrong with this development, certainly not three10 minutes. But you, the Planning Board, have heard most11 of these negative aspects over the last Planning Board12 sessions and over the past months and counting. You13 have heard from Mayor's, council members of adjoining14 towns to express their opposition. They have outlined15 all the reasons that this would be causing hardship to16 their communities as well. You have heard from17 environmental commissions from almost every town in18 Essex County and from dozens of environmental groups.19 Environmental groups throughout the state voicing their20 objections. In addition you heard right in this room21 Jonathan Redwine, a member of your own West Orange22 Environmental Commission, just how bad this proposal is.23 Furthermore, just a couple weeks ago both you, the24 Planning Board and the Town Council received from Essex25 70 County Environmental Commission a resolution spelling1 out in detail the numerous reasons to vote this down.2 So in conclusion, I know you're caring and3 dedicated people and deep down you know this project is4 wrong. So I ask -- so all I ask is to please let the5 facts and your conscious guide you. You have an6 obligation for the good and welfare of thousands of West7 Orange residents and neighbors in your hands. It's a8 simple vote no, as you did in 2006 when the proposal was9 only 136 homes not 496 apartments. Okay. Thank you for10 these three minutes and thank you everyone in the room11 for standing up and saying to vote this down. That is12 the statement.13 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.14 Do any other members of the public have any15 comments about this application? Please come up and be16 identified. State you name and address for the record,17 please.18 THE PUBLIC: Jennifer Sherret, 11 Howell19 Drive.20 MR. AFRAN: Excuse me one moment.21 MS. McGOVERN: How do you

lease come up and be16 identified. State you name and address for the record,17 please.18 THE PUBLIC: Jennifer Sherret, 11 Howell19 Drive.20 MR. AFRAN: Excuse me one moment.21 MS. McGOVERN: How do you spell your last22 name?23 THE PUBLIC: S-H-A-R-R-E-T.24 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.25 71 Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth the1 whole truth nothing but the truth.2 THE WITNESS: Yes.3 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.4 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Go right ahead.5 THE PUBLIC: We've lived in West Orange over6 15 years. I live within the 200-foot notice area and I7 want to individually object to this application and8 reserve all rights. Our backyard abuts the woods, just9 below the slope. The top part of our yard is a hill10 making it good for sledding but bad for flooding.11 During Hurricane Irene, Ida and several large rainstorms12 in between water swelled up from the ground and come13 into our basement.14 Now, I first heard about this project in15 2018 when the developer sought a letter of16 interpretation on the wetlands. Our neighbors growled,17 we wrote the DEP and we heard nothing. We weren't18 informed in 2020 when this settlement was proposed to19 the town council or when the zoning ordinance was passed20 by the Planning Board. I never received proofs of21 service when I inquired when I first learned about this22 again in 2023. At the time we learned that it was full23 blown plans to build four apartment buildings crisscross24 over wetlands. Previously my neighbor who, lives even25 72 closer to the woods, also the 200 foot notice area, did1 not receive that notice which is when we first or I2 first realized that this Eagle Sciences letter from the3 developer had not been properly delivered to all the4 neighbors. So we started knocking on doors and getting5 everyone to know that at least. And that's how a lot of6 us come to together. I am very concerned about7 flooding. This project is going to be removing over8 5000 trees which serve as a natural way to prevent9 erosion and flooding. If we experienced flooding in10 years past, I do not see how a new project will not11 exacerbate the issue and I believe expert testimony from12 Princeton Hydro demonstrated that. As recently as this13 past year in 2025 whenever there is a bad rain, not a14 hurricane, but one of the bad rains we seem to get all15 the time now, I have a river running through my16 backyard.17 Another issue

y as this13 past year in 2025 whenever there is a bad rain, not a14 hurricane, but one of the bad rains we seem to get all15 the time now, I have a river running through my16 backyard.17 Another issue specific more to where I live18 on Howell Drive that I did not believe has been given19 sufficient attention throughout these proceedings is the20 sewer line. The sewer line from the Highlands comes21 through the woods and goes underneath my property out22 onto the street on Howell Drive. Now, this sewer line23 gets backed up all the time and there's a stench. My24 neighbors and I have called the department of health and25