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

19 of 53 sheets Page 73 to 76 of 122 02/03/2026 04:49:05 PM 73 they come out and they can't really find the problem and1 then the cycle continues.2 No ones explained adequately how the new3 sewer line will work, but I understand there will be a4 new substation somewhere and I believe this is not an5 issue saved for construction plans, this is a critical6 issue and the Planning Board should not be approving7 this without a full understanding how the sewer plans8 are laid out with utilities and the utility authority9 deeming it safe without creating obnoxious smells for10 all the residents, both the ones who are proposed to11 live in the new project and the ones currently who live12 on Howell Drive and surrounding areas.13 Now, with regard to the traffic. The cars14 are supposed to flow out onto Oval Road and then to15 Eagle Rock. Howell Drive is only supposed to be used16 for emergencies. Howell Drive cannot sustain additional17 cars. It's very narrow with several bends.18 Now, there were agreements decades ago to19 ensure that Howell Drive was not opened up and that must20 be upheld. I am also extremely worried about Building D21 and confused how the Planning Board could approve22 Building D -- approve the project with Building D in it.23 It is built along steep slopes and some points, as we24 heard testimony, are seven feet from the pinch point.25 74 This is a hazard. It would be a hazard for those who1 live there and a hazard for everyone who lives below the2 slope, Howell Drive, Rosemont, Mayfair and Nasser Road.3 I believe the Planning Board is putting lives and4 property at risk if you approve this project with5 Building D where it is currently set. The Planning6 boars has the discretion to mandate some changes to this7 project. I have heard them do that several times8 throughout this process. Additional lighting,9 additional parking, but I think you need to start10 focusing on the core safety issue. While I think this11 project should not be built for many of the reasons my12 neighbors will explain, I expect, including the thousand13 plus cars that will be flowing onto Eagle Rock, at a14 bare minimum the Planning Board cannot in good conscious15 allow this project with Building D.16 The Planning Board is well aware of the Ron17 Jolyn tragedy and you're well aware that after that18 occurred the town council amended the steep slope19 ordinance. This

this project with Building D.16 The Planning Board is well aware of the Ron17 Jolyn tragedy and you're well aware that after that18 occurred the town council amended the steep slope19 ordinance. This project is in violation of that20 ordinance. I have heard the Planning Board does not21 have to consider that because of the settlement. I22 think the Planning Board needs to assert some23 responsibility when it comes to this issue. I think24 there's also misnomers the court approved the25 75 settlement, court approved the fair share housing plan.1 I urge the Planning Board not to make any rash2 decisions. There's been over 25 plus hearings, a3 tremendous amount of testimony and I know that the4 Planning Board does take it's job very seriously and5 hope that when public comment is concluded they will6 really take the time to dive into all these issues and7 understand whether or not this is appropriate for this8 area. Thank you.9 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.10 Any other members of the public who have11 comments about this application? Please come up.12 THE PUBLIC: Good evening. My name is13 Barbara White. I talked to all you at one point or14 another and want to continue --15 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to16 tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth.17 THE PUBLIC: I do.18 MS. McGOVERN: We do need the address on the19 record.20 THE PUBLIC: 51 Howell Drive.21 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.22 THE PUBLIC: I have some very, very deep23 concerns that I have not heard fully addressed in24 testimony, and they have to do very much with the25 76 general safety of the project. There's -- for example,1 one of the things that was provided to me by the Mayor,2 which I did raise some concerns, was a copy of an April3 4, 2024 letter from the previous fire department and4 answered several of the questions that have been raised.5 I looked at that letter, the letter leaves questions,6 important ones, unanswered. As an example, the letter7 indicates that the fire chief is not able to lend an8 opinion on traffic in and out of that area because he9 didn't have a traffic report that he could review. What10 is not mentioned in that, and certainly becomes a bigger11 concern, because fires have continued, the environment12 is more threatening, we have not yet heard what the plan13 is for water at that height. One of the wonderful14 things about living at 51 Howell

concern, because fires have continued, the environment12 is more threatening, we have not yet heard what the plan13 is for water at that height. One of the wonderful14 things about living at 51 Howell Drive is the views and15 the deer and the trees. One of the not so wonderful16 thing about living there is because of the very steep17 slopes. Those of us, myself and many of my neighbors,18 in order to run a sprinkler system or be able to flush a19 toilet while you're taking a shower, you have to have a20 very expensive individual pump in your home. We do not21 know which of the water authorities will supply the22 water, all though West Orange residents water is from23 Verona. We, again, have no idea how this is going to24 work and since we don't know how the water is going to25