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

23 of 66 sheets Page 89 to 92 of 155 02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM 89 access behind Building D. Only seven feet separate the1 building from the steep slope, far to little space for2 personnel, equipment or hose lines. Firefighters would3 have no safe approach for a fire on the slope or behind4 the building as flames sore in the air creating a life5 threatening situation for residents and first6 responders.7 Third, steep slopes instability. The8 project requires deep blasting, up 25 feet and massive9 retaining walls. Princeton Hydro's expert literally10 warned that the current plan puts the slope and the11 homes below it at real risk. He even said on the12 record, that he would not sleep in Building D as13 proposed and recommended moving it back 100 feet.14 Warnings of this magnitude can not be ignored.15 Fourth, flooding. The developer is not16 following current New Jersey stormwater regulations.17 Regulations created specifically to reduce flooding and18 property damage. Residents have already documented19 flooding under existing conditions. Removing trees and20 disturbing the hillside will significantly worsen21 runoff. Because the plans have changed substantially22 after the settlement, West Orange is fully allowed to23 require compliance for todays stricter standards.24 Fifth, lack of pedestrian and transit25 90 access. This site is not served by practical public1 transportation. The development forces reliance on2 private vehicles, increases traffic and leaves3 affordable housing residents with limited access to4 jobs, food, and essential services. Residents without5 cars will be being forced to walk on busy roads putting6 them and their children at risk.7 For all these reasons, water protection,8 fire safety, slope stability, stormwater management and9 basic access, the risks are to great. A denial based on10 these seven things is not only justified but is the11 responsible and necessary decision to protect West12 Orange, Verona and our neighboring communities.13 And I am now also saying as a member of the14 Verona Environmental Commission, that this project will15 have permanent and destructive impacts on our community.16 More so this owners legal counsel is running defense for17 an indefensible development. The developer/owner has18 never once engaged with the community that will forever19 be impacted by this proposal. Taking into consideration20 the length

ning defense for17 an indefensible development. The developer/owner has18 never once engaged with the community that will forever19 be impacted by this proposal. Taking into consideration20 the length of the application, the problems that have21 been testified about and the overabundance of public22 input, it raises questions about transparency and good23 faith. One would think the developer/owner would want24 to engage with the community and amend the plans by25 91 lessening the environmental impact, making the project1 more safe and then potentially assuaging the residents2 fears. Nevertheless, he didn't even try and that is3 troubling.4 Thank you for your time and please deny this5 application.6 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.7 Good evening. State your name for the8 record, sir.9 THE PUBLIC: Greg Montgomery. I live at 1310 Connolly Drive East, West Orange, New Jersey.11 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to12 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the13 truth.14 THE PUBLIC: I will.15 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.16 THE PUBLIC: I haven't spoken at any of17 these meetings, I haven't been able to attend in person18 and so I wasn't able to comment, but today I am.19 I want to thank you guys for being here and20 for your time on this, apparently it's been quite a bit21 of time.22 I am against this development, it looks like23 it's been tried several times over the years, every -- I24 don't know how many years, they try again and the site25 92 is not suitable for development and yet you're having 281 meetings trying to make it work. You know, make the2 plan fit something that can't work. Like it can't work.3 It hasn't worked before, it's not working now.4 The environmental impact, all the things that5 these people have talked about make it impossible to6 actually develop this area and I think people have an7 idea that development equals progress and development8 does not equal progress. Smart development, sustainable9 development could equal progress. We need low income10 housing, but what are you getting. Are you getting 45011 low income housing units? No. You're getting a, you12 know, 20 percent low income and they won't even be as13 good as the higher income housing, right. It's a14 different floor plan, the whole thing is different.15 When my wife and I moved here six years ago we16 moved here because of the trees. If you look at a map17 of New Jersey

me housing, right. It's a14 different floor plan, the whole thing is different.15 When my wife and I moved here six years ago we16 moved here because of the trees. If you look at a map17 of New Jersey coming out of New York City, this is where18 the trees start. This is where the trees start and the19 highway stop, you know, they get smaller, it's not just20 roads, it's not just buildings. When you go up to21 overlook the city, we overlook the city, we don't want22 to live there. None of us want to live there. We want23 to live in West Orange where the trees are, where the24 animals are.25