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

nds and neighbors, you live in the same21 town as many of us or live in a nearby town to others of22 us and you have ought to have a personal stake in doing23 the right thing as well as representative stake in doing24 the right thing.25

19 of 66 sheets Page 73 to 76 of 155 02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM 73 So all I can say is, I hope that you do the1 right thing as this board did 20 years ago in 20062 turning down a much smaller scale proposal for many of3 the same reasons. One way in and one way out,4 environmental harm and the like. So please look back at5 that, that's a good text for you to review as well as6 your own experts reports and I thank you for your7 attention and time.8 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.9 And just for the record, nobody's making10 anybody stand. People have the option to sit and get up11 any time they want. So everybody who's standing, this12 is totally up to you. You can be identified by standing13 up and coming up. Whatever's good for you guys is fine14 with us. Thank you very much.15 Go right ahead.16 THE PUBLIC: Hi. I'm Maxine Bock, Bakley17 Terrace, West Orange.18 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to19 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the20 truth.21 THE PUBLIC: I do.22 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.23 THE PUBLIC: So this proposed project has so24 many flaws. It's not only affecting West Orange, it's25 74 affecting surrounding towns as well, such as Verona,1 Essex Fells, Caldwell, etc. There's so many unknown2 questions that have not been answered, such as3 pre-blasting land survey, a soil capacity study, the4 environmental impact of the removal of 6,000 trees,5 flooding and displacement of wild life into our6 neighborhoods. The proposed project has so many7 potential issues with Oval Road being the sole access8 point to all 496 apartments with no plans to widen those9 sidewalks. Traffic issues will be unbearable when you10 add the additional volume to the traffic from the11 Highlands and the Grand. If there's any type of12 emergency, like there has been twice in the past two13 years, all residents in the proposed complex, the14 Highlands and The Grand will be trapped with no way out.15 I experienced that. There are safety issues in being16 able to maneuver fire trucks up to the top of the17 mountain in an emergency, which can put the residents of18 the proposed development in jeopardy. Putting a traffic19 light on Oval Road, while, yes, it is necessary to the20 proximity of the light on Oval Road will not alleviate21 traffic but will jut cause a large bottleneck on Eagle22 Rock Avenue and I'm sure on Pleasant Valley Way as well.23 The affordable

ary to the20 proximity of the light on Oval Road will not alleviate21 traffic but will jut cause a large bottleneck on Eagle22 Rock Avenue and I'm sure on Pleasant Valley Way as well.23 The affordable housing units are not24 identical to the other units in the proposed development25 75 which is certainly not fair to the residents.1 Last few issues. No one knows what will2 happen when blasting starts at what damage will occur,3 what damage will occur off-site and who will be4 responsible for the damages and there will be long5 protracted process to have damages paid for.6 As you can see by the handful of people in7 West Orange, not just a handful of people who have8 concerns of this project. The residents of other local9 communities as well as numerous local and state10 environmental groups who oppose the project.11 If this project is opposed -- approved. I'm12 sorry, if it's approved it would bring in more tax13 dollars for real estate taxes versus -- I don't know14 what that says. Sorry about that.15 Anyway, I do urge all you to think long and16 hard about this critical decision and urge you to vote17 with your heart and conscious to vote no.18 I do want to say that I guess I batted a19 thousand, I moved into Wayne Township in 1987 when the20 Mayor at that time was being indicted for some type of21 corruption. I moved into West Orange three years ago22 into The Grand with a development being built --23 proposed development being built behind us, which will24 just cause a great destruction and devastation.25 76 I thank the Planning Board very much. Have1 a good evening.2 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.3 Come right up and state your name for the4 record, please.5 THE PUBLIC: Hi. I'm Julia Flath, F-L-A-T-H.6 MS. McGOVERN: And your address?7 THE PUBLIC: 266 Tichenor Avenue in South8 Orange.9 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to10 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the11 truth.12 THE PUBLIC: Yes.13 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.14 THE PUBLIC: I'm here to express importance15 of preserving the health of our state for future16 generations to oppose this application. We should17 recognize that New Jersey has mechanisms for protecting18 important forests, such and this one should be19 considered here.20 In other areas of New Jersey, counties and21 municipalities are putting admirable effort into working22 with landowners and partners to preserve open

, such and this one should be19 considered here.20 In other areas of New Jersey, counties and21 municipalities are putting admirable effort into working22 with landowners and partners to preserve open space.23 There are grants such as Green Acres and there's also a24 brand new law, Essex 99 allowing for easements to25

02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM Page 77 to 80 of 155 20 of 66 sheets 77 restrict in perpetuity the development of privately1 owned woodland. Those are just a couple avenues --2 examples of avenues for preservation and I'm not sure3 what has already been considered here and what would4 make the most sense for this parcel, but given that this5 is one of the last remaining mature forests in Essex6 County, I urge the Planning Board to work with the7 county and partners to explore ways to preserve this8 land before considering whether to approve this9 application.10 I'm a resident of South Orange whose water11 supply is fed by the Canoe Brook and I'm concerned about12 potential contamination of our water if this development13 is built. There's a new proposed bill, the Headwater14 Guardians Bill S2468, which would require DEP to15 designate municipalities with critical headwaters as16 headwater guardians. While Canoe Brook may not meet the17 bills criteria of directly serving as the primary source18 of drinking water for one million residents, it is an19 early tributary of the Passaic River and this bill20 acknowledges the responsibility that municipalities play21 in ensuring protections are in place so that headwaters22 of Canoe Brook can continue providing clean drinking23 water.24 As Planning Board members you have accepted25 78 this responsibility to consider what is not best not1 just for your own town residents but for all the people2 of New Jersey served by your towns waterways downstream.3 I also ask that if you reject this proposal4 you do not revert to the original proposal which called5 for construction of over 100 single family homes. A6 single family homes would likewise disrupt habitat. It7 would be better to build a much smaller number of8 apartment buildings so that more open space could get9 preserved. And so that -- and the plan could be revised10 to incorporate the new stormwater regulations.11 I'm not here to oppose increasing housing12 stock, I'm all for building new housing. New Jersey has13 way to many single family zoned areas, it should be14 changed to multifamily zones to enable more efficient15 use of land. It's just not okay to destroy mature16 forest that we can't get back. Instead we can find ways17 to rebuild on already developed land and to follow smart18 growth principles to meet housing needs. Thank you.19 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very

rest that we can't get back. Instead we can find ways17 to rebuild on already developed land and to follow smart18 growth principles to meet housing needs. Thank you.19 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.20 THE PUBLIC: Hello. I am Joseph Nalieth.21 MS. McGOVERN: N-A-L-I-A?22 THE PUBLIC: N-A-L-I-E-T-H.23 MS. McGOVERN: Okay. And your address?24 THE PUBLIC: 33 Ridgeview Avenue.25 79 MS. McGOVERN: And that's in West Orange?1 THE PUBLIC: Yes.2 MS. McGOVERN: And do you swear or affirm to3 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the4 truth.5 THE PUBLIC: Yes.6 MS. McGOVERN: Okay.7 THE PUBLIC: Please keep in mind this was8 going to be read at the Planning Board meeting right9 before Christmas but public comment was postponed.10 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Which Christmas?11 THE PUBLIC: To the postponing of public12 comment I say, Bah Humbug.13 Last night I was visited by three ghosts.14 First came the ghost of West Orange past. He showed me15 a town united by community. A place where working16 families could afford to live and commute. A place17 where people build beautiful homes and stayed in them18 for generations. A town with real socioeconomic19 diversity. I saw families hiking and enjoying our lush20 forests. It was awe inspiring but fleeting.21 Then came the ghost of West Orange future.22 He showed me the perils of overdevelopment, high-rise23 condos dominated our ridge lines. I saw developers24 learn that they could get away with it. After clearing25 80 6,000 trees to build the West Essex Highland towers,1 they crept onto Eagle Rock Reservation. They raised2 South Mountain. Every last patch of green space was3 taken up by cheaply built condominiums. It was a4 slippery slope, both figurative and literal. The5 construction violates our steep slope ordinance, much to6 close to the edge of the cliff over wetlands. Increased7 stormwater runoff led to worsening floods causing8 families to lose everything to disasters we could have9 prevented. Generational families were pushed out by10 land grabbing developers. West Orange lost its beauty11 and its heart.12 Finally, I was visited by the ghost of West13 Orange present. I'd lost hope. I saw developers who14 thought they could bully a small town into submission.15 I saw local officials who maybe were willing to let it16 happen. But then I looked around this room, I saw a17 community rallying to protect it's forests,

y could bully a small town into submission.15 I saw local officials who maybe were willing to let it16 happen. But then I looked around this room, I saw a17 community rallying to protect it's forests, its18 neighborhoods and it's future. I saw residents united19 refusing to be steamrolled by outside interests and it20 gave a jaded sole like mine hope. So tonight I stand21 before you in my pajamas as Ebenezer Scrooge and I22 implore you to reject this development. Think of the23 West Orange that is quietly eroding. Think of the West24 Orange we want to pass onto the next generation and look25

21 of 66 sheets Page 81 to 84 of 155 02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM 81 around this room to see the passionate community1 rallying to protect the town they love. For the condos,2 I have two words. Bah Humbug. Thank you very much.3 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: We're going to take a4 ten-minute break. Thank you very much.5 (Whereupon, a short recess is taken.)6 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Back on the record.7 Come right up, sir. I'm sorry. Come right8 up, sir. Do you want to sit down?9 THE PUBLIC: No, I don't.10 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Okay. Please stand.11 THE PUBLIC: I want to stand right here.12 I'm a retired pastor and I'm used to standing up and13 talking to people.14 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Go right ahead.15 MS. McGOVERN: We need you name and address.16 THE PUBLIC: Sure. My first name is Robin,17 R-O-B-I-N, Hawley, H-A-W-L-E-Y. Last name is Gorsline,18 G-O-R-S-L-I-N-E. And my address is 38 Cerone Court in19 West Orange.20 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to21 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the22 truth.23 THE PUBLIC: Yes, I do.24 So I came tonight, I've only been a resident25 82 three years, and I have a neighbor of mine who said,1 please go to this meeting because he couldn't come and I2 thought well, I read about it and I said, yes, I need to3 go. I identify as an environmental or ecological4 Theologen or Ecologen, as I sometimes call it. And I5 listened to Chief Mann and I thought -- I had decided I6 wouldn't say anything then I listened to him, then I7 said, I need to speak. He was making a very, very8 important point and I want to make it from my point of9 view. And that is, you talk about all those thousands10 of trees and some people have mentioned, of course all11 the brilliant comments made here, about all the birds12 and bees and everything else. In my view, in my13 theological spiritual view we are all residents of New14 Jersey. We are all residents of West Orange. We are15 indeed all residents of the universe, every single16 being, and we need to take seriously the beings that are17 not human, not just the humans. We need very much to18 not, just in the terms of our own self interest but19 actually care about others around us. And that includes20 those thousands of trees and all the others and the21 water and the roots and the soil and everything.22 So I'm just here, I know it's not going to23 make a difference to any of you because it is not24 something you probably

and all the others and the21 water and the roots and the soil and everything.22 So I'm just here, I know it's not going to23 make a difference to any of you because it is not24 something you probably have heard of, maybe you have, I25 83 don't know, but anyway, I feel passionately about this1 community of West Orange. And one of the things that I2 think has been raised numerous times tonight, is that3 how dense the population is both in West Orange as well4 as the entire state of New Jersey. And that's about the5 human beings. We don't begin to count all the other6 beings here and they matter too and they matter not just7 because they help us live but because they are beings as8 well and they're sacred beings.9 So I urge you, I urge you, I urge you to10 think about all that life and try and save it. I hope11 you hear that and I hope you hear all the other voices12 here when people say, do the right thing. Amen.13 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.14 Go right ahead, sir.15 THE PUBLIC: Jack McEvoy, Deputy Mayor of16 Verona.17 MS. McGOVERN: Are you testifying as a18 representative of Verona or on your own?19 THE PUBLIC: Resident of Verona, New Jersey.20 MS. McGOVERN: Then can we have your21 address, please.22 THE PUBLIC: I'd rather not say.23 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Use the town hall address.24 THE PUBLIC: 600 Bloomfield Avenue.25 84 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Good enough.1 THE PUBLIC: Thank you.2 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to3 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the4 truth.5 THE PUBLIC: I do.6 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Go right ahead.7 THE PUBLIC: First, thank you all for your8 patience 27 -- well, it's going to be 28 meetings, I9 know it's rough. I wonder if that's a record in New10 Jersey. I'll look it up.11 The development before you is Block 179 Lot12 32. This development is also planning on utilizing two13 other lots, Block 179.17 Lots 8 and 9 on Howell Drive as14 an emergency access. Expanding beyond Block 179 Lot 3215 should require a D variance. The use of those lots as16 emergency access is also a violation of a deed17 restriction that this same owner agreed to when they18 accepted the September 25, 1980 and July 28, 198319 decision for the Howell Drive major subdivision. This20 major subdivision spanned two municipalities and21 therefore went before two Planning Boards, Verona and22 West Orange. Both boards looked at the subdivision in23 its entirety, I'm sure,

ision. This20 major subdivision spanned two municipalities and21 therefore went before two Planning Boards, Verona and22 West Orange. Both boards looked at the subdivision in23 its entirety, I'm sure, and it's very clear Verona24 certainly added the deed restriction as a condition of25