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

02/03/2026 04:49:05 PM Page 93 to 96 of 122 24 of 53 sheets 93 fact make any of us safer. If this project is allowed1 to move forward shamelessly under the guise of2 affordable housing the environmentally sensitive land3 will be forever destroyed.4 Furthermore, it is a project being built in5 an area that is unsustainable for affordable housing.6 The needless destruction of an intact forest, echo7 system, watershed and wildlife should not be destroyed8 in the name of affordable living.9 Additionally, and I have a few more seconds.10 Additionally the quality of life in our community will11 be impacted with heavy traffic and sadly we, the12 residents, will be left holding the bag with nothing to13 show but high taxes and a destroyed Watchung Ridge14 forest. Your decision and legacy will be irreversible15 and will forever leave a positive or a negative impact16 on this forest and our community, and in particular for17 those of us who's homes are here.18 And lastly, therefore we the residents of19 West Orange, We Care, our neighbors and the adjacent20 communities of Verona, Roseland, Essex Fells, South21 Orange and other advocates, respectfully request that22 the Township of West Orange reject the proposed housing23 development on the Second Watchung Mountain Ridge24 forest. Thank you.25 94 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you, sir.1 Ladies and gentlemen, can I just tell you2 that with all the clapping, all the noise, the court3 reporter can't hear what's going on, so the record can't4 be accurate. So I understand that you're very, very5 interested in expressing yourself but this is not the6 time to do it. Just let the court reporter do his job.7 Let's get all the information accurate and recorded.8 Thank you very much.9 Does anybody else have any public comment?10 Please come up and be identified. State your name and11 address for the record, sir.12 THE PUBLIC: Brian Klein, 13 Howell Drive.13 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to14 tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth.15 THE PUBLIC: Yes.16 Initially I came here hoping to ask Mr.17 Kleinberg a couple of questions after his testimony, but18 since that wasn't allowed, I will just focus my public19 comments on what I was going to ask Mr. Kleinberg about.20 Over the last few meetings there was a lot21 of discussion about steep slopes and he was asked about22 the debris falling down the slope, damaging the

on what I was going to ask Mr. Kleinberg about.20 Over the last few meetings there was a lot21 of discussion about steep slopes and he was asked about22 the debris falling down the slope, damaging the slope,23 rock slides, things like that. One of the comments he24 made is that there wouldn't be a rock slide because it's25 95 just a dirt slope. But if you look at O-37 you will1 notice that there is a large green area, it's labeled,2 Outcrop Report. It's about a 140, 150 long area exposed3 rock. Mr. Kleinberg said it's about, at some point,4 about ten to 12-foot high, which is, you know, again, he5 is saying that there's not a rock slope, it's just a6 dirt slope but there's large areas of exposed rock.7 That rock happens to be, towers over my property at 138 Howell Drive. If you look at the base of that rock you9 will see lots of fragments which seem to have come off10 that rock face. Lots of piles of rock at the base of11 that. Based upon the exhibit, if you, you know, using12 the measurements on there, I was able to calculate that13 right at the base of that slope, the first 60 feet of14 slope right under that southern portion of that slope15 the elevation changes of 30 feet over 60-foot, that's a16 50 percent slope. When Mr. Kleinberg was asked about17 this by my wife he said when we get to the houses I'm18 not worried about any damage because, you know, it drops19 to a very flat, you know, 10, 15 degree slope. He said20 the same thing when Mr. Afran had asked him about, I21 think the meeting before, if you were to calculate,22 again, based on the same exhibit from that exposed rock23 to my backdoor is about 250 feet and it's an 84 foot24 elevation change. That's a 33 percent slope. If you25 96 measure from that exposed rock to my pool, it's about a1 200-foot distance and an 84 foot elevation change.2 That's a 42 percent slope. The first 100 feet right3 under that rock, and the rocks probably about ten feet4 above measuring 40 feet from that going directly towards5 my property. The first 100 feet it drops 40 feet,6 that's a 40 percent slope. And from that outcrop of7 rock to my kids swing set is a 160 feet distance, that's8 a 60-foot elevation change. It does not flatten as he9 suggests, it's very clear from the map, from the10 exhibit.11 A few meetings ago Dr. Pannullo asked him12 what the chances are of the slope failing. All he could13 say is the best I

not flatten as he9 suggests, it's very clear from the map, from the10 exhibit.11 A few meetings ago Dr. Pannullo asked him12 what the chances are of the slope failing. All he could13 say is the best I could do is, it is not likely. So I14 would like to point out that if it's just the best he15 can do, that it's unlikely that this large area of rock,16 which he kind of didn't acknowledge at all, sitting17 above an area where my kids can be playing without18 flattening, measure boulder size piece rocks dislodging,19 maybe due to the blasting, digging, trees being moved,20 water flows, who knows what could happen, I think it's21 pretty clear that, you know, this does not make sense.22 Thank you.23 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.24 Any another members from the public have25