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

02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM Page 29 to 32 of 155 8 of 66 sheets 29 and exit for us and it was difficult to access. There1 was -- there were detours and the routes changed2 everyday. We had to figure out another way home3 everyday. As that is not clear alternate access.4 As dog owner we walk our dogs at least twice5 a day through the neighborhood and along Oval Road.6 This road often is unsafe. There are no sidewalks, yet7 it is used by residents walking their dogs, school8 children waiting for buses, commuters walking toward9 Eagle Rock Avenue to catch public transportation.10 In just a short period of time we have11 witnessed several near misses involving vehicles and12 pedestrians. It is unnerving now and I cannot image how13 this corridor will remain safe with additional units and14 the construction vehicles passing by.15 My question to the Planning Board and the16 township is this, how will emergency access and17 evacuation and pedestrian safety be meaningfully18 addressed before approving a development of this scale.19 Thank you for your time and your service and20 for listening. I hope these very real safety concerns21 will be given the serious consideration they deserve,22 not just for current residents but for the future23 families as well. Thank you.24 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.25 30 Come right up. State your name for the1 record, please.2 THE PUBLIC: Hi, my name is Julianna3 Garreffa.4 MS. McGOVERN: Okay. Please raise your5 right hand -- did you give your address?6 THE PUBLIC: 39 Mews Lane, South Orange, New7 Jersey.8 MS. McGOVERN: South Orange?9 THE PUBLIC: Uh-huh.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 My name is Julianna Garreffa and I'm a South15 Orange resident, a South Orange Environmental16 Commissioner and member of SOMA Action.17 Back in August I read the South Orange18 Environmental Commissions official letter into the19 record in which we urged you to reject this developers20 application. My personal opinion echoes that. I21 wholeheartedly empathize with the states desperate need22 for more affordable housing. However, I believe it's is23 imperative that we not turn affordable housing, public24 safety and environmental sustainability into a zero sum25 31 game. As it is currently proposed the Garden Homes1 development would serve none of these

ive that we not turn affordable housing, public24 safety and environmental sustainability into a zero sum25 31 game. As it is currently proposed the Garden Homes1 development would serve none of these causes well.2 Housing would be isolated from the town center, schools3 and public transportation, directly defying smart growth4 principles. The single access road would impede access5 by emergency vehicles and hinder evacuation during6 severe weather events. The developer failed to include7 plans for a mechanism to produce sufficient water8 pressure on the ridge line to support firefighting and9 most of all this steeply sloped area was deemed unsafe10 for development by this very West Orange Planning Board11 roughly 20 years ago. Whether or not the application12 conforms to the 2020 inclusionary housing ordinance,13 public safety should supercede all other considerations.14 Additionally, I believe the Planning Board15 should consider the effects on neighboring towns. In16 South Orange our drinking water source from the Canoe17 Brook River whose headwaters on this property, as18 documented in the Princeton Hydro engineering review,19 the proposed stormwater system fails to meet current20 NJDEP standards for groundwater protection and runoff21 control. When stormwater systems fail to properly22 infiltrate and filter runoff contaminants are more23 likely to enter surface waters and aquifers that supply24 downstream drinking water.25 32 The extensive impervious services created by1 this development will increases polluted runoff into our2 drinking water source. That include sediment from3 disturbed soils, chemicals from landscaping fertilizer4 pet waste bacteria, microplastic, petroleum products,5 and heavy metals from roads and driveways.6 Contaminated drinking water is not an7 abstract risk. The CDC, EPA and WHO have extensively8 documented the health risks associated with drinking9 water contaminated by stormwater runoff. These10 consequences include neurological and developmental11 harm, immune system and hormonal disruption, increased12 cancer risk, and chronic cardiovascular disease. The13 applicant didn't submitted an environmental impact14 statement which should include many important factors15 such as effects on drinking water. Water treatment16 plats are designed for expected conditions, without an17 environment impact statement you cannot safely

ich should include many important factors15 such as effects on drinking water. Water treatment16 plats are designed for expected conditions, without an17 environment impact statement you cannot safely assume18 that water utility will be able to properly treat water19 with a significant influx of unexpected pollution.20 I am ohne of hundreds of thousands served by21 multiple water utilities whose drinking water would be22 polluted too if the Planning Board were to approve this23 development. I'm standing here in front of you but the24 rest of those people are just as real and face just as25