January 28, 2026, Planning Board Special Meeting - WEHI Transcript

igures come from the 202620 census. Disease estimates from the CDC and the Academy21 of Pediatrics. The local population of West Orange and22 neighboring towns about 70,000. 21 percent of New23 Jersey populations are kids, are children. The24 incidence of asthma in children is about 8 percent. The25 19 math with these figures means about 1,200 local children1 have asthma. The toxic effect of the proposed project2 with air pollution from heavy equipment exhaust,3 particulate air pollution from dust fallout fowling the4 air and also the felling of over 6,000 oxygen producing5 carbon dioxide eating trees will negatively affect these6 1,200 asthmatics and also consider hundreds more with7 nonasthmatic cardiopulmonary conditions like preemies8 and congenital heart disease kids.9 There's several schools just down hill from10 this site. The high school athletic fields is within11 fallout range where outdoor sport participants would be12 in jeopardy, especially those participants with exercise13 induced asthma, which is a separate entity. I have not14 even considered the adult population as they are beyond15 my expertise, but you can bet there are significant16 numbers to be negatively impacted as well. Thus your17 decisions will directly impact thousands of vulnerable18 individuals, many are my patients. I assume this19 project will become a legal system entanglement whatever20 the board decides.21 Mr. Plocker has done a fine job representing22 his client and we've been schooled in what his client23 believes to be his legal justifications. However, just24 adhering to certain presumed statutes might dictate what25 20 he feels is allowed, but not what is proper. The very1 agreements in which Mr. Plocker refers, which led to2 this fiasco, was penned in the shadows of one of the3 worst health crisis in modern history and to take4 advantage of that, I believe, makes this entire5 agreement immoral.6 Dear members, you have the power to make a7 decision. The distinction for what might be allowed or8 to do what is moral and just in service to the people of9 this and local towns. Be on the right side of this10 argument. Deny this proposal. Protect our town,11 protect your neighbors, friends and family and my12 patients. Do the right thing. I implore you, for God's13 sake, do the right thing.14 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay.15 Please come up and state your name for

protect your neighbors, friends and family and my12 patients. Do the right thing. I implore you, for God's13 sake, do the right thing.14 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay.15 Please come up and state your name for the16 record.17 THE PUBLIC: My name is Pavan Sharma.18 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to19 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the20 truth.21 THE PUBLIC: Yes.22 MS. McGOVERN: I think I interrupted you,23 what was your address?24 THE PUBLIC: 9 Bakley Terrace.25

02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM Page 21 to 24 of 155 6 of 66 sheets 21 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.1 THE PUBLIC: West Orange.2 As I said, my name is Pavan Sharma and I3 live on Bakley Terrace in The Grand. I have lived in4 Grand since last century, 1999. I have raised my two5 children there through West Orange school system and6 today my grandchildren live nearby and spend many days7 and nights with me, especially since I live alone.8 Because I care for my grandchildren I have9 not been able to attend these meetings in person, but I10 have followed the proceedings closely through zoom and11 YouTube recordings.12 I certainly appreciate the time and effort13 the Planning Board professionals and residents have put14 into sharing testimony and asking questions.15 That said, I still have several significant16 concerns that I believe must be addressed before any17 consideration of approval.18 I'm here today because these issues directly19 affect my home, my family and my community.20 First is sewage infrastructure. Over21 multiple meetings I have heard references suggesting22 that this new development may share the existing sewer23 system currently serving parts of the Grand, including24 are area Bakley Terrace. To date there has been no25 22 clear or definite explanation, but for me rather this is1 the case. Without clarity I don't understand how the2 Planning Board can responsibly consider approval.3 Before any decision is made, a comprehensive sewage4 capacity and impact study must be completed and shared5 publically so residents can understand the ramifications6 for our existing infrastructure and quality of life.7 Second is traffic access, it's a major one.8 As you have heard repeatedly The Grand has one primary9 exit which runs through Kinzel Road to Oval Road and10 Eagle Rock Avenue. Over the past 25 years the traffic11 has increased dramatically, not just from development12 but every reality such as Amazon, UPS, FedEx, Instacart,13 FreshDirect and other delivery systems.14 Additionally many households now have15 multiple vehicles and often accommodate overflow parking16 from events at the Pleasantdale Chateau. During recent17 movie filming in Essex County access in and out of The18 Grand became extremely difficult. As someone who19 regularly picks up and drops off my grandchildren I20 experience this delay firsthand. Adding 496 new units21 without meaningful

in and out of The18 Grand became extremely difficult. As someone who19 regularly picks up and drops off my grandchildren I20 experience this delay firsthand. Adding 496 new units21 without meaningful improvement to access and traffic22 flow will only worsen an already strained situation and23 propose safety and quality life concerns.24 And final, I want to say construction and25 23 blasting impacts, if this project advances to1 construction, I'm extremely concerned about blasting and2 ground disturbances. During the original building out3 of The Grand our side of the Bakley Terrace was impacted4 by the landslide. How can residents be assured that5 this will not happen again if the rock and terrain6 adjacent to the neighborhood are disturbed.7 At a minimum I strongly request a8 pre-construction and pre-blasting baseline survey of all9 surrounding properties. Ongoing monitoring during10 construction and a clearly establish, well funded11 mechanism to compensate homeowners for any damage caused12 by blasting or land movement.13 In closing, thank you for listening to my14 comments and for your service to our town. I hope the15 Planning Board will take the time to fully understand16 these concerns and make decisions that are truly in the17 best interest of West Orange, its existing neighborhood18 and future generations. Thank you.19 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you. Thank you very20 much.21 Please come up and state your name for the22 record.23 THE PUBLIC: Hi. My name is Lisa Hayes,24 H-A-Y-E-S, I live at 4 Hudson Drive in the West Essex25 24 Highlands.1 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to2 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the3 truth.4 THE PUBLIC: I do.5 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.6 THE PUBLIC: Members of the Planning Board,7 thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I'm a8 resident of the condo complex directly adjacent to the9 parcel being proposed for the development. I am here to10 strongly oppose this project, not only because of the11 environmental damage it would cause but because of the12 very real safety and quality of life risks it creates13 for current residents and the surrounding community.14 This land is not an empty lot, it is a mature forest15 that supports significant wildlife and contains over16 6,000 trees that will be destroyed. Once this echo17 system is destroyed it cannot simply be replaced. Trees18 to provide stormwater

ure forest15 that supports significant wildlife and contains over16 6,000 trees that will be destroyed. Once this echo17 system is destroyed it cannot simply be replaced. Trees18 to provide stormwater absorption, reduce flooding, lower19 temperatures and act as natural sound and air quality20 buffers. Clearing this forest will permanently alter21 drainage patterns, increase runoff and eliminate a22 critical habitat corridor for countless species. These23 environmental impacts will be felt long after24 construction ends.25

7 of 66 sheets Page 25 to 28 of 155 02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM 25 Beyond the environmental loss the traffic1 and safety implications are deeply concerning. This2 development is designed with only one entrance and one3 exit. That means all traffic, residents, delivery4 vehicles, emergency services and construction equipment5 will be funneled through a single access point. Adding6 approximately 1,200 additional cars into this bottleneck7 will significantly increase congestion, delay emergency8 response times and create dangerous conditions during9 peak hours and severe weather events. This is not10 simply an inconvenience, it is a public safety issue11 for.12 Current residents evacuation during a fire,13 flood or medical emergency would be severely14 compromised. For first responders access would be15 slowed. For pedestrians, cyclists and children in the16 area the risk of accidents will rise substantially.17 I would also like to share how this project18 affects me personally and professionally. I'm an OB GYN19 in West Orange. I've been practicing fro over 17 years20 in the West Orange community. I am frequently on call21 and must respond to urgent and life threatening22 situations at the hospital, sometimes with only minutes23 notice. When a mother or baby is in distress every24 minute matters. Delays caused by gridlocked exits,25 26 construction traffic and increased daily volume would1 directly interfere with my ability to reach patients in2 time. This development would create unfair and3 unnecessary obstacles to my ability to provide emergency4 medical care. This is not hypothetical, this is the5 reality of what happens when dense development is placed6 beyond a single point or access with no redundant7 routes. We all understand the need for thoughtful8 growth, but thoughtful growth means placing development9 where infrastructure can support it, where traffic can10 be disbursed safely and where irreplaceable natural11 resources are not sacrificed unnecessarily. This site12 with its single access point and its role as a major13 forested buffer is not appropriate for a project of this14 scale.15 I urge the board to consider the long-term16 consequences not just the short-term gains. Once these17 trees are gone they are gone forever. Once traffic18 patterns are overwhelmed they cannot easily be undone19 and once safety margins are reduced, the risks fall on20 the

short-term gains. Once these17 trees are gone they are gone forever. Once traffic18 patterns are overwhelmed they cannot easily be undone19 and once safety margins are reduced, the risks fall on20 the people who already live here and serve this21 community.22 Please protect this land, protect the23 existing residents and prioritize safety, environmental24 stewardship and responsible planning. Thank you for25 27 your time and for your consideration.1 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.2 Please state your name for the record.3 THE PUBLIC: Yes. Sheelpa Patel, 104 Rappleye Court, West Orange.5 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to6 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the7 truth.8 THE PUBLIC: Yes, I do.9 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.10 THE PUBLIC: Good evening. My name is11 Sheelpa Patel and I live at 10 Rappleye Court in The12 Grand community and our backyard faces the Oval Road.13 My family and I moved to West Orange in14 March 2020 and into The Grand two years ago. In a short15 amount of time we have come to deeply appreciate this16 community and this town but we have also experienced17 serious safety concerns related to access and emergency18 impact. As unsettling as it sounds, twice in the past19 two years our family and our home have been directly20 impacted by fire. And in both cases the impact of21 having a single road access became frighteningly clear.22 The forest fire occurred at the home in The Grand.23 During that incident we were unable to leave our house24 for nearly nine hours. My husband was traveling that25 28 day and feel bad as the situation unfolded. His Uber1 was forced to drop him on Oval Road and he walked into2 the neighborhood dragging his luggage. Thankfully that3 worked out. But at the same time my 90 year old4 mother-in-law who has medical issues stayed with us.5 Had anyone in our home or nearby required emergency6 medical assistance that day, the situation could have7 been very different. Thankfully no one did.8 The second incident was a fire on the golf9 course, directly behind our home. During that fire we10 could clearly see families in the Highlands being11 prevented from traveling on Oval Road, effectively12 cutoff with no way in or out due to the single road13 access. Beyond emergencies, we regularly experience14 condition and disruption on Oval Road. When the Chateau15 holds events or the movie is filming is going

no way in or out due to the single road13 access. Beyond emergencies, we regularly experience14 condition and disruption on Oval Road. When the Chateau15 holds events or the movie is filming is going on,16 vehicles are parked on both sides of Oval Road behind17 our home, all the way up to the entrance of the18 Highlands, which increase noise and constant activity.19 This is already challenging and it will intensify even20 more with additional development.21 Other incidences when the town is doing22 maintenance or upgrade of the utilities. During the23 America Water pipeline work on Eagle Rock Avenue which24 went on for weeks. Oval Road the only point of entry25

02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM Page 29 to 32 of 155 8 of 66 sheets 29 and exit for us and it was difficult to access. There1 was -- there were detours and the routes changed2 everyday. We had to figure out another way home3 everyday. As that is not clear alternate access.4 As dog owner we walk our dogs at least twice5 a day through the neighborhood and along Oval Road.6 This road often is unsafe. There are no sidewalks, yet7 it is used by residents walking their dogs, school8 children waiting for buses, commuters walking toward9 Eagle Rock Avenue to catch public transportation.10 In just a short period of time we have11 witnessed several near misses involving vehicles and12 pedestrians. It is unnerving now and I cannot image how13 this corridor will remain safe with additional units and14 the construction vehicles passing by.15 My question to the Planning Board and the16 township is this, how will emergency access and17 evacuation and pedestrian safety be meaningfully18 addressed before approving a development of this scale.19 Thank you for your time and your service and20 for listening. I hope these very real safety concerns21 will be given the serious consideration they deserve,22 not just for current residents but for the future23 families as well. Thank you.24 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.25 30 Come right up. State your name for the1 record, please.2 THE PUBLIC: Hi, my name is Julianna3 Garreffa.4 MS. McGOVERN: Okay. Please raise your5 right hand -- did you give your address?6 THE PUBLIC: 39 Mews Lane, South Orange, New7 Jersey.8 MS. McGOVERN: South Orange?9 THE PUBLIC: Uh-huh.10 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to11 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the12 truth.13 THE PUBLIC: I do.14 My name is Julianna Garreffa and I'm a South15 Orange resident, a South Orange Environmental16 Commissioner and member of SOMA Action.17 Back in August I read the South Orange18 Environmental Commissions official letter into the19 record in which we urged you to reject this developers20 application. My personal opinion echoes that. I21 wholeheartedly empathize with the states desperate need22 for more affordable housing. However, I believe it's is23 imperative that we not turn affordable housing, public24 safety and environmental sustainability into a zero sum25 31 game. As it is currently proposed the Garden Homes1 development would serve none of these

ive that we not turn affordable housing, public24 safety and environmental sustainability into a zero sum25 31 game. As it is currently proposed the Garden Homes1 development would serve none of these causes well.2 Housing would be isolated from the town center, schools3 and public transportation, directly defying smart growth4 principles. The single access road would impede access5 by emergency vehicles and hinder evacuation during6 severe weather events. The developer failed to include7 plans for a mechanism to produce sufficient water8 pressure on the ridge line to support firefighting and9 most of all this steeply sloped area was deemed unsafe10 for development by this very West Orange Planning Board11 roughly 20 years ago. Whether or not the application12 conforms to the 2020 inclusionary housing ordinance,13 public safety should supercede all other considerations.14 Additionally, I believe the Planning Board15 should consider the effects on neighboring towns. In16 South Orange our drinking water source from the Canoe17 Brook River whose headwaters on this property, as18 documented in the Princeton Hydro engineering review,19 the proposed stormwater system fails to meet current20 NJDEP standards for groundwater protection and runoff21 control. When stormwater systems fail to properly22 infiltrate and filter runoff contaminants are more23 likely to enter surface waters and aquifers that supply24 downstream drinking water.25 32 The extensive impervious services created by1 this development will increases polluted runoff into our2 drinking water source. That include sediment from3 disturbed soils, chemicals from landscaping fertilizer4 pet waste bacteria, microplastic, petroleum products,5 and heavy metals from roads and driveways.6 Contaminated drinking water is not an7 abstract risk. The CDC, EPA and WHO have extensively8 documented the health risks associated with drinking9 water contaminated by stormwater runoff. These10 consequences include neurological and developmental11 harm, immune system and hormonal disruption, increased12 cancer risk, and chronic cardiovascular disease. The13 applicant didn't submitted an environmental impact14 statement which should include many important factors15 such as effects on drinking water. Water treatment16 plats are designed for expected conditions, without an17 environment impact statement you cannot safely