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

25 of 66 sheets Page 97 to 100 of 155 02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM 97 that there won't be damage during blasting. They talk1 about probabilities or safety factors, the only2 acceptable safety factor is a zero risk and that isn't3 the case in this project, particularly near Building D.4 Regarding the deer and wildlife. We have5 deer in our backyard and streets everyday on Howell6 Drive now. With this development and all these deer7 fences there's going to be -- they're going to push the8 deer onto -- into our backyards, but more importantly9 into the streets causing more and more accidents in our10 area.11 Regarding the traffic. The experts had12 predicted doubling to 5,000 trips per day. One traffic13 light will not fix this problem. In addition, most14 people haven't spoken about the impact of the15 intersection of Pleasant Valley Way and Eagle Rock.16 Right now during rush hour it's backed up in all17 directions. Can you imagine what 3,000 more cars will18 do to the Eagle Rock/Pleasant Valley Way intersection.19 You rejected this proposal because of the20 one road in, one road out many years ago. I don't think21 anything has changed, other than instead of 130 single22 family homes, we'll now have 500 families trapped in the23 event of a fire or a forest fire or regular fire.24 Finally, we've been to the 20 plus meetings25 98 or listened to the rest on zoom and there's so many1 unanswered questions that to us, in and of themselves2 should stop this project from moving forward. Things3 like can the sewage system handle the project? What4 will be the impact to the West Orange schools? Why did5 the developer move Building D closer to the ridge? Will6 it be necessary to build a water tower for emergency7 firefighting? What is the construction and blasting8 plan? They've not provided any details about what will9 happen during construction and blasting.10 And what, of course what's the environmental11 impact destroying 6,000 trees in the core forest.12 And lastly, can you assure that Howell Drive13 residents that the emergency access road will not be14 open to regular traffic.15 We plan on retiring and downsizing in the16 next five years, by moving this project forward you'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

'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