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

're17 jeopardizing our ability to sell our home. The light18 and noise pollution alone will impact the quality of19 life on Howell Drive. Who would buy a home that's20 subject to daily blasting at the bottom of a steep slope21 with Building D sitting above us. We fully support the22 need for affordable housing but must it be balanced23 against the need of public safety, the need for land24 preservation and smart growth. You must not allow the25 99 development of every square inch of West Orange and1 destruction of this last piece of core forest. We urge2 you not to exempt Garden Homes from all the current3 ordinances knowing that you're putting our safety and4 the safety of our children at risk. Thank you.5 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.6 Please come up and state your name for the7 record.8 THE PUBLIC: Good evening. I'm Imaninia9 Byton.10 MS. McGOVERN: And your address?11 THE PUBLIC: 378 Broad Street, Bloomfield,12 New Jersey.13 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to14 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the15 truth.16 THE PUBLIC: For sure.17 MS. McGOVERN: Okay.18 THE PUBLIC: Okay.19 Good evening everyone. I am Imaninia again.20 I am also the environmental justice director for Climate21 Revolution Action Network, aka, CRAN, a youth led22 climate group in New Jersey. I am also a resident of23 Essex County, shout out to Bloomfield, and a frequent24 visitor of West Orange and specifically a frequent25 100 visitor of the Watchung Mountains.1 Now, before I begin, I want to make it very2 clear, I am a very big proponent of affordable housing.3 Young people and low income families across this state4 are struggling to afford current costs of living, and5 namely the cost of housing. Offering affordable housing6 in West Orange should be a priority for this council and7 West Oranges government in general. Still these goals8 should not come at the expense of our environment.9 In 2024 we experienced the hottest year on10 record. We are expecting to break that record in the11 years to come. New Jersey spends billions of dollars on12 natural disaster recovery and with the current13 administration the funding of our response efforts we14 expect to spend billions more. The Watching Mountains15 provide tree canopy, green space, flood protection and a16 home for our animals, plants and insect neighbors. What17 I am trying to say is that we can not afford to

ions more. The Watching Mountains15 provide tree canopy, green space, flood protection and a16 home for our animals, plants and insect neighbors. What17 I am trying to say is that we can not afford to destroy18 this mountain. Not now, not ever. The development on19 this mountain increases the areas flood risk, worsening20 erosion and decreases the amount of protection we have21 from pollution and heat, especially at a time when we22 are victims and very susceptible to the impacts of23 pollution and heat. And in a world succumbing to24 climate change, protecting our natural resources is25

02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM Page 101 to 104 of 155 26 of 66 sheets 101 paramount, not only for aesthetics but for our own good.1 There is none of us without this planet. By all means,2 yes, to affordable housing but, no, to it being on the3 Watchung Mountain and no, to it being on the Second4 Ridge. Thanks.5 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.6 THE PUBLIC: Good evening. My name is7 Maegan Kehlmann.8 MS. McGOVERN: And your address?9 THE PUBLIC: 10 Sylvan Road, Verona.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 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.15 THE PUBLIC: Thank you for this opportunity16 to speak.17 As I said, my name is Maegan Kuhlmann and I18 am a resident of Verona but I'm also the organizer of19 the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club is one of the oldest20 and largest environmental non profits in the nation.21 The West Essex Highlands project has faced public22 opposition from the local community for decades due to23 the environmental, health, safety and community24 connectivity concerns it possess. The Sierra Club and25 102 its 200 residents opposed this project back when it1 first came before this board in 2006 and still does2 today. Nearly 20 years ago this board rightfully denied3 a similar development application on this site. That4 application was proposed to develop 136 housing units5 was quite correctly identified as a risk to public6 safety and environmental quality due in part to the7 environmental conditions of the site, the very same8 conditions which exist today. It is plain to see that9 this site is fundamentally unsuitable for development.10 It is home to critical wetlands, steep slopes and simply11 the last remaining core forest in Essex County. The12 development on this site will exacerbate exiting13 flooding issues, endanger drinking water quality for the14 township and it's neighbors. Wetlands are vital to15 stormwater management, water recharge and the nutrient16 cycle echo system. This development proposal would add17 over 12 acres of impervious cover, including buildings,18 streets and parking lots which would fundamentally alter19 the surface and ground water that feed and maintain this20 forest and wetlands.21 Further, ecology of core forest supports a22 wide variety of species and exports and represents a23 habitat requirement for species that are more vulnerable24 to

maintain this20 forest and wetlands.21 Further, ecology of core forest supports a22 wide variety of species and exports and represents a23 habitat requirement for species that are more vulnerable24 to disturbance. Analysts show habit conditions of this25 103 site would be capable of supporting endangered species.1 The development of this site will reduce it's health and2 productivity to a shell of what it once was. These3 catastrophic environments cannot be limited to just this4 development site. The plans for this application may5 begin and end at the property line, the environmental6 impacts aren't confined to the property line. The7 change in surface and groundwater flow patterns that8 result from the development on this site would have9 extensive and enduring consequences. The inability for10 wetlands to store and control water flow would almost11 certainly exacerbate existing soil runoff management and12 flood risks in West Orange and the neighboring13 municipalities. Bulldozing over a critical habitat and14 historical forest not only threatens the wildlife and15 community residents of the present, but also endangers16 the future generation. It is imperative that the17 Township of West Orange have safer, affordable housing18 alternatives that utilize smart growth practices to19 protect the environment and the people living there.20 Not only does sustainability of affordable housing make21 sense but the safety and connectivity it is essential22 that we do. Ignoring one or the other causes23 irreparable environmental harm and further fragmenting.24 Our municipal leaders, this Planning Board, have25 104 a duty to these residents and those surrounding areas to1 ensure that the proposed development are safe and2 sustainable. This project is not either. However,3 denying this project and ensuring that the forest is4 protected means investing in the future. Natural flood5 protection, carbon sequestration, biodiversity and6 resiliency to the impacts of climate change.7 I strongly urge you members of the West8 Orange Planning Board to reject this proposal for the9 sake of the local residents, the environment and10 wildlife. The Township needs to find the appropriate11 location to fulfil affordable housing needs instead of12 fulfilling a builders dream housing project. Thank you.13 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.14 THE PUBLIC: Mr. Chairman, with my remaining15 time I

11 location to fulfil affordable housing needs instead of12 fulfilling a builders dream housing project. Thank you.13 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.14 THE PUBLIC: Mr. Chairman, with my remaining15 time I would like to see if we can have Chief Mann, who16 spoke before, I have the exact --17 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Sorry, no. We have other18 members of the public who would like to speak. Thank19 you very much for your time.20 THE PUBLIC: Thank for the opportunity.21 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.22 State you name for the record.23 THE PUBLIC: Arnold Barton, 71 Woodland24 Avenue, West Orange.25

27 of 66 sheets Page 105 to 108 of 155 02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM 105 MS. McGOVERN: Spell your last name.1 THE PUBLIC: B-A-R-T-O-N.2 MS. McGOVERN: Okay.3 Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth the4 whole truth and nothing but the truth.5 THE PUBLIC: Yes.6 Before I begin, I want to strongly agree7 with almost everything I've heard here. I think that we8 have a piece of land that has been in development for9 like 200, 300 years, the echo system on this property,10 it's irreplaceable and it's only going to increase in11 value.12 Okay. I'm going to talk about something13 that hasn't been addressed here yet, so it'll a little14 bit different. I'm going to speak about the sanitary15 sewer main capacity on Pleasant Valley Way. I manage16 the building at 270 Pleasant Valley Way, I am concerned17 about the sanitary sewer main capacity on Pleasant18 Valley Way. According to the testimony before this19 committee, sewage discharge of the proposed development20 will be handled by the joint meeting in Elizabeth and21 probably and would likely pass through the sewer main22 which our buildings connect or compete with the23 buildings discharge further downstream.24 Congregation or Torah of West Orange25 106 purchased this building in 1998 from Americana1 Portraits. The building is located between the2 firehouse on Pleasant Valley Way and Pleasantdale3 Nursery. Our property actually surrounds the property4 on Woodland Avenue and adjoins the wetlands along5 Peckman Creek. Our buildings foundation is about ten6 feet below street level, so that as you pass by it on7 Pleasant Valley Way you mainly see the roof. Okay.8 Now, there is a sanitary sewer clean out at one corner9 of our building. Three times since COVID, in early 202010 on November 25, 2024 and on March 25, 2025 we have had11 sanitary sewer water running out of that clean out down12 our parking lot into the wetlands. Two of these events13 lasted for more than ten hours and consisted of hundreds14 of gallons of untreated sewer water entering the15 wetlands. All three times the overflow was stopped by16 the township water jetting the sanitary sewer main under17 Pleasant Valley Way to push the obstruction further down18 the line. The Township supervisor of public works has19 consented to water jetting this line twice a year to20 prevent further overflows.21 Our problem and the solution suggests the22 Pleasant Valley Way

line. The Township supervisor of public works has19 consented to water jetting this line twice a year to20 prevent further overflows.21 Our problem and the solution suggests the22 Pleasant Valley Way sanitary sewer main line, which23 would serve the new development, is already over24 capacity. Quoting Ms. Carballo, the township engineer25 107 from Page 3 of the Township of West Orange Planning1 Board meeting November 10, 2025 minutes referring to the2 sewer mains downstream of our building, "Will have to3 have a consulting company do the study and figure out4 how much those existing pipes can handle based on their5 slope size and whether or not it's even feasible." That6 is whether or not it is even feasible for the sewer7 mains to handle more sewage. Without increasing the8 size of the sewer mains it would appear that some sort9 of holding tank and pump need to be incorporated into10 West Essex Highlands proposal to control the timing of11 sewage release before connecting this project to the12 existing sewer mains. Therefore, I think that a13 proposal before this board lax fundamental structures to14 handle the sewage and should not be adopted.15 To summarize, the sanitary sewer main under16 Pleasant Valley Way could barely handle the current17 volume of sewage. Adding hundreds of homes to the18 system would require widening of the sanitary sewer main19 or construction holding tanks and pumps, neither of20 these options are included in the plan under21 consideration. I thank you for your time and your22 efforts. That is all. Thank you.23 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.24 Please state your name for the record.25 108 THE PUBLIC: Rachel Klein, Howell Drive.1 Up until recently -- oh, sorry.2 MS. McGOVERN: It's okay.3 THE PUBLIC: Oh, actually I have a quick4 message from Mr. Afran. I forgot also. Oh, he just5 wanted to apologizes for not being able to be here. He6 was out of the country and got stuck in the blizzard and7 only just got back to New Jersey this morning.8 MS. McGOVERN: Okay.9 THE PUBLIC: Okay. Sorry.10 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to11 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the12 truth.13 THE PUBLIC: Yes.14 Rachel Klein, Howell Drive.15 Up until recently I was not on the board of16 We Care, but I am now on the board, as Mr. Plocker asked17 that we identify ourselves, I'm doing just that.18 Thank you for putting in so much time

ive.15 Up until recently I was not on the board of16 We Care, but I am now on the board, as Mr. Plocker asked17 that we identify ourselves, I'm doing just that.18 Thank you for putting in so much time and19 bearing with us all through this process. I hope you20 take into account what the public has to say about their21 current situations and take our fears and concerns22 seriously. I also want to implore you to read what Mr.23 Litwornia submitted for the record. When he was here24 before this board, he was treated rather harshly, and I25

02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM Page 109 to 112 of 155 28 of 66 sheets 109 fear many of you will take the man who wrote the book on1 traffic engineering seriously. You would not have known2 his medical device had failed, but that does not excuse3 how many on this board spoke to him and treated him, as4 if he were not an expert in a field he had been in since5 many of you were still in school. Read his work, view6 his decks, if they are not in the record I implore you7 to admit them. The developer's traffic engineer left8 much to be desired, but I will get to that later.9 I'm a life long resident of West Orange,10 specifically of the Pleasantdale section, the section11 that has been the most impacted by developments since12 the 1980's and the section that will bear the brunt of13 impact in West Orange from this proposed development.14 Through the years I have seen what happens when a15 development is pushed through without concern or indeed16 planning for possible future issues. One example is the17 old library. TC meeting after meeting the residents of18 this new building come to town hall to demand a fix to19 what was a foreseeable and preventable issue.20 Eventually the TC and administration will have to21 correct the error, whatever that correction may be, to22 appease the real residents standing before them night23 after night. What does that have to do with WEH? The24 proposed traffic light on Oval Road at Eagle Rock will25 110 solve the dangerous left turn onto Eagle Rock, there is1 not doubt about that, but it will not solve the volume2 issue you are introducing by adding 500 more homes to3 where 370 already meet at one intersection. I'm not4 sure how you can propose an off-site improvement and5 then tell us you do not have to review the issues as the6 location is outside the development, when this seem to7 be an integral part of said development. Once a8 thousand new drivers realize they cannot leave their9 cul-de-sac and are stuck behind ten cycles of a traffic10 light, they will come to town hall every other week11 demanding a solution. That solution can never be Howell12 Drive. Howell Drive is too narrow, there are multiple13 blind curves and it is exceptionally steep. I watched14 two plows get stuck trying climb Howell just this past15 Sunday. I have a video of one if you are interested.16 While this is all theoretical, we can use our judgement17 to

tionally steep. I watched14 two plows get stuck trying climb Howell just this past15 Sunday. I have a video of one if you are interested.16 While this is all theoretical, we can use our judgement17 to prevent what will have real world implications should18 we not look at the reality of this land and the19 surrounding topography. Also, don't forget the20 developers traffic engineer told this board that nothing21 in this plan will change that day in April where the22 residents of the Highlands were stuck behind Oval Road.23 The only thing I would change is the adding 500 more24 homes.25 111 I'd also like to remind the Planning Board1 that some of us live daily with the consequences of this2 developer's apathy for projects he has already3 completed. You would actually consider allowing this4 developer to build retention basins that will hold5 thousands of gallons of water perched above homes in the6 Highlands and elsewhere. Basins that need constant7 monitoring and maintenance. I live next door to his8 sewer line for the Highlands condos. My backyard often9 and even my basement stink of raw sewage. I have no10 bathroom in my basement. The DEP rep for the county11 walked through my basement to see if he could find an12 excuse for the stench, in the end he conceded it was the13 sewer line that runs between my property and my14 neighbor's property. The town health department has15 been involved with this issue since early 2020 but the16 issue persists as this is privately owned and we are17 left to the magnanimity of this very developer. I stand18 here as someone directly affected by this developer,19 maybe you are less concerned as it is my home and not20 yours, but it is a canary in a coal mine as far as my21 neighbors and I are concerned, do not approve anything22 that need any long term maintenance as it will23 inevitably not be done.24 The final point I would like to make is25 112 about the slope which is above my home. Yes, we concede1 we live in an area that would not be developed by2 today's standards, as Mr. Plocker has pointed out more3 than once, but we are here, and it is too late to take4 back what was done to build our homes, it is almost5 laughable to say that since our homes are on the slope6 no one should question this plan. Should we return to7 the 1980's in all things? Should we pretend we have no8 greater knowledge than we did before the