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

02/03/2026 04:49:05 PM Page 77 to 80 of 122 20 of 53 sheets 77 go into these almost 500 units, it also begs the1 question of what water availability there is in the2 event of a fire.3 The letter from the previous chief was4 rendered previous to the fire that took place in April5 of last year in the Reservation. That fire ended up6 burning 18 acres, the topography is not significantly7 different from where we are, except that there are no8 homes there. We aren't trying to fight a fire in the9 middle of a residential area.10 The other difference is that particular area11 is groomed. If you look at the woods, you've seen12 plenty of pictures, it is unmanaged, it is ungroomed.13 In the event if you had something catastrophic enough I14 believe if you tried to evacuate the property, I do not15 know how 600 families, 1200 cars leave that property16 safely. You can't walk out of it.17 One of my neighbors here husband happens to18 be an ER doctor, he talked about the woods as being a19 widow maker. Trees come partially down, they're not20 removed, so even just trying to walk through the woods21 is dangerous but in the event something happened, it's22 next to impossible. That a fire that took place in the23 Reservation, took place, initially the call was at24 night. So just imagine you are asleep, the 911 call25 78 goes in at 10:39 PM, you live in one of those almost 6001 units and, yes, there will be an alarm and, yes, you2 will be told to go to the roof or wherever else, but3 there is nothing that is going to deal with the human4 emotion of I am living in the middle of the woods. I5 have deer fencing around me, I am afraid for my family6 and I want to get out. We do not know how those people7 would leave in any reasonably sized emergency. When the8 fire chief spoke to the ingress and egress in the letter9 that I referred to earlier, most of it was around the10 building and the fire trucks to turnaround, that was11 something that was a big issue with 136 houses. It did12 not in any way speak to what happens when you need too13 get into that property and people are getting out, what14 happens when cars are abandoned. Think about that15 California fire. All those people had to leave their16 cars. How do you get fire trucks in and out. How do17 other services get in and out. They did not have that18 challenge in the Reservation. And by the way, the lead19 fire

people had to leave their16 cars. How do you get fire trucks in and out. How do17 other services get in and out. They did not have that18 challenge in the Reservation. And by the way, the lead19 fire department in the Reservation was in fact the West20 Orange Fire Department. I think we have a major safety21 issue that had not been fully addressed and discussed22 during the course of this project. I would urge you to23 seek one more persons testimony, have the fire chief24 come take a look at how they were able to manage or not25 79 manage that fire that took place. Learn about the fact1 that the only way to get to the fire is to bring in2 special equipment. Talk about the challenges you have.3 We don't have adequate water supplies, but you have 6004 families in the middle of a forest.5 Thank you for your time and attention.6 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.7 Do any other members of the public have any8 comments? Please come up and be identified.9 State your name and address.10 THE PUBLIC: My name is Lori Hassell. I11 live in the West Essex Highlands. Address is 6l Lapis12 Circle.13 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to14 tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth.15 THE PUBLIC: Yes.16 I've been a resident of West Orange17 Highlands since 2016, about nine and half years now. I18 am here to oppose the project proposed by Wilf and his19 company, Garden Homes and named affiliates. I first20 would like to mention, I'm not opposed to state mandated21 programs such as Mount Laurel. In fact I was previous22 Division Manager CTX Northeast under the umbrella of the23 Centex Homes, where at the time of my tenure was the24 third largest builder in the country. I advocated and25 80 facilitated Mount Laurel housing in many communities I1 served. I supported the program over the years as I am2 a single mom and raise two boys that are now young3 adults, I fortunately did not need this type of program4 but always advocated and sympathized with those who did5 and still do, only where it makes sense. I understand6 for other counties and my circle of influence that the7 state is putting pressure on all towns to meet their8 long overdue quotas with a deadline through 2025. I9 also understand the threat of a lawsuit under the10 builders remedy inclusion in the doctrine. I also11 understand the Mount Laurel housing strict requirements12 for selected properties

rough 2025. I9 also understand the threat of a lawsuit under the10 builders remedy inclusion in the doctrine. I also11 understand the Mount Laurel housing strict requirements12 for selected properties and need to ensure they have all13 necessary permits and approvals before selecting a14 property and includes the -- and includes the property15 will abide by local zoning regulations, soil quality and16 access to utility and any environmental restrictions.17 Hence, all these lovely reports and studies were18 completed. I bring this up because I want to emphasize19 the developers own traffic engineer testified under oath20 that as the plan exists now that what I am about to21 express here alarmingly won't change. What is happening22 with this project does not make sense. There are23 variables that will affect surrounding communities, such24 as West Essex Highlands. Due to the lack of time I am25