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

02/03/2026 04:49:05 PM Page 109 to 112 of 122 28 of 53 sheets 109 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to1 tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth.2 THE PUBLIC: Absolutely. Absolutely.3 I have come to, I don't know, however many4 meetings there have been, minus probably two or three5 and I commend all of you for doing the same.6 And Chairman Bagoff, I want to thank you for7 starting the meeting, quite frankly for honoring8 Governor Cody who was a neighbor of mine. Was a member9 of my association and drank the same water that I've10 spoken about three or four times out of the 20 meetings11 that I have attended when I had been concerned about the12 water supply which may be affected by this event or by13 the flooding in particular. That would be affected by14 all of it.15 Through all of it with the decision that you16 have to make, and I believe that all of you are17 incredibly smart, your intention is to do the right18 thing, but I have been baffled at a couple of meetings19 when I have heard things like, there are 728 vehicle20 trips that can't be considered, you know, along with new21 trips or things like that. That can't be taken into22 consideration. But the governor that we just honored,23 who is my neighbor, who cared about things like24 healthcare and justice and people, would say -- and25 110 would make decisions that he would say things like,1 that's just dumb that we can't consider the impact on2 things, because we have to make decisions based on3 everything. And ultimately the decisions that we make,4 whoever we are, whether that is the Planning Board,5 whether it is, and I'm not going to get into the6 legalese, above my pay rate, are ultimately about how it7 affects people. How it affects the people down hill.8 How it affects the people in my community, which is why9 I have come to these events. I am not on the board or10 any organization, other than my association, about the11 people who are downstream that may be affected by the12 water. The people in, I mean I live in Roseland, but I13 go down Eagle Rock Avenue all the time and I am affected14 by everything from the traffic or whatever's going to be15 impacted by all of this or by the children who are16 affected by whoever's going to be moving in there. I17 don't know how they're going to get anyplace but that's18 going to be somebody else's problem or by what happens19 to this old

children who are16 affected by whoever's going to be moving in there. I17 don't know how they're going to get anyplace but that's18 going to be somebody else's problem or by what happens19 to this old growth forest, and everybody has their20 individual issues and everything, but I do urge you21 tremendously that however it is that you make your22 decisions, which you will make on whatever basis,23 because you got a ton of data that you're going to have24 to make your decision upon and you all care and I think25 111 you can make whatever decision, do no harm. Okay. You1 need to prevent irreparable harm to the drinking water2 to the flooding of the houses down hill and the builder3 will do whatever they want to do because they have their4 interests. Stipulate, should you approve, okay, if I go5 over by seven seconds please just let met finish my6 sentence, Dr. Bagoff.7 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Go ahead.8 THE PUBLIC: Stipulate as strongly as you9 can, if you should approve, on behalf of everybody who10 is concerned because they're terrified, wherever this is11 going to go, that they cannot lift a shovel, they cannot12 swing a hammer, they cannot move a plow, and they cannot13 do anything, okay. And I say this as somebody who's14 president of a homeowners association. Okay. Somebody15 -- I'm going to give an example. Somebody sold a house16 and the person who bought it the next day they went and17 they started doing things and I went over there as the18 president of the association and the guy that bought it19 said, oh, I didn't know I was a member of the20 association. You know, and they just went and did21 things and then I -- what am I supposed to do the next22 day, say, oh well, I can go and fine you. Well, you're23 going to cut down a thousand 100 year old trees, it24 doesn't matter if you fine them a million dollars, the25 112 100 year old trees are gone and the flooding starts and1 everything happens. Okay. Just don't let them do2 anything if you approve and then a process starts, if3 you approve anything, please. Thank you.4 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.5 State you name and address, please.6 THE PUBLIC: Diedre Dyson, Slayback Terrace7 and Howell Drive.8 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to9 tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth.10 THE PUBLIC: I do.11 In a few months I will have lived on12 Slayback Drive and Howell Drive for 29 years. Most

GOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to9 tell the truth the whole truth nothing but the truth.10 THE PUBLIC: I do.11 In a few months I will have lived on12 Slayback Drive and Howell Drive for 29 years. Most of13 the people in my neighborhood have made their homes14 their oasis. We pay very high taxes to live in an area15 that offers us a peaceful and private community.16 Building a tall apartment building with a rooftop makes17 all of the privacy we desire and deserve go away. We18 will have people looking down into our backyards. Some19 homes have pools that require fences for safety and up20 until now gave them the privacy one expects when you are21 on your own property and may have chosen to fence it in.22 We do not live in a city. I don't believe that anyone23 in my area and those that live in The Grand or the24 Highlands and any other surrounding community homes ever25