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

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