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

9 of 66 sheets Page 33 to 36 of 155 02/26/2026 05:17:42 PM 33 much risk.1 On another note, this developments proposal2 is cutting down 30 acres of trees has direct and3 profound environmental impact. This plot of land has4 been repeatedly called a vacant lot during these5 Planning Board meetings. Yes, the land is undeveloped6 but it's currently home to a valuable public asset.7 Mature old growth forests like this one are vital and8 irreplaceable global defenses against climate change.9 This forest acts as a carbon sink improving air quality10 and blunting heat waves.11 The trees stabilize the land and curtail12 flooding at a time when New Jersey is experiencing more13 and more flash floods that devastate property and cost14 lives. To approve this application would be to destroy15 30 acres of an integral asset of a local echo system.16 For all these reasons I must again ask this17 board to reject the application from Garden Homes. If18 we truly care about building more equitable communities19 we need to develop plans for affordable housing that are20 also safe and environmentally sustainable. I think you21 have what I think is a clearcut opportunity here to22 either protect capital or protect the people. I hope23 you make the right choice. Thank you.24 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.25 34 Please come up. State your name for the1 record.2 THE PUBLIC: I'm Cynthia Thompson, 19 Mews3 Lane, South Orange.4 MS. McGOVERN: Do you swear or affirm to5 tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the6 truth.7 THE PUBLIC: I do.8 MS. McGOVERN: Thank you.9 THE PUBLIC: Thank you.10 So my name is Cynthia Thompson. And I am11 from South Orange, like Julianna before me. I'm also a12 South Orange Environmental Commissioner and a member of13 SOMA Action, focus on climate and Electrify SOMA. I'm14 also a professor emeritus of management psychology and15 sustainability at a university in New York City.16 I had a lot of things I was going to say but17 I think everyone has been so eloquent and passionate18 that I'm sure your decision is made now. I hope. But I19 understand that we need more affordable housing and West20 Orange is maybe a little bit behind the eight ball,21 maybe many of us are in providing affordable housing.22 However, whether you're rich or poor you need access to23 public transportation, but especially if you're poor and24 you need affordable housing,

aybe many of us are in providing affordable housing.22 However, whether you're rich or poor you need access to23 public transportation, but especially if you're poor and24 you need affordable housing, which is a portion of this25 35 this development, I understand. They need to be able to1 walk to the schools, walk to the grocery store, not2 everyone has or needs to be in a two car family, which3 is what it would take if this development was to be4 built.5 You probably know that 38 percent our6 pollution in New Jersey comes from emissions from cars7 and trucks. Though we need new housing that has access8 to public transportation that doesn't involve having two9 cars in the family where people have to drive10 everywhere. I understand as a Planning Board you're11 between a rock and a hard place. How do you increase12 affordable housing, while at the same time enable smart13 growth by protecting our environment, our water supply,14 our watershed and our old growth trees. I know that New15 Jersey does not have a lot of spare land to build on,16 which is why you're between a rock and a hard place.17 But there's got to be a better way. Why not find and18 convert unused office space? Why not, as a Planning19 Board, encourage and support and maybe you do this, I20 don't know you well, encourage and support more21 developments like Stonehill at Essex Green in West22 Orange. I'm sure you all know they won the 2025 Smart23 Growth Award from New Jersey's Future for, "transforming24 obsolete ailing office space into a vibrant walkable25 36 mixed income community.1 Cutting down 30 acres of trees, let me2 repeat, 30 acres of trees. Old growth trees, it's3 insanity in the age of climate change. We need the4 trees because as a carbon sink. If you know what that5 is. It captures the CO2 that we emit from all our cars6 and trucks. The trees obviously improve the air we7 breathe, provide us with shade. An old growth forest8 like the one in the Second Watchung Mountain Ridge just9 cannot be replaced.10 Finally, our watershed will be negatively11 impacted. Our drinking water, your drinking water, will12 be tainted by the runoff from rainwater that would13 normally soak into the ground. Runoff contaminated by14 chemicals from landscapers, pet waste, microplastics,15 heavy metals from roads and driveways, as others have16 eloquently described. I don't want to drink that water,17 I'm

. Runoff contaminated by14 chemicals from landscapers, pet waste, microplastics,15 heavy metals from roads and driveways, as others have16 eloquently described. I don't want to drink that water,17 I'm guessing you don't want to drink that water either.18 So what's a Planning Board to do. I don't19 know, so please vote no. But also maybe send a message20 to the billionaire owner of the land, Mr. Wilf, and have21 him read this wonderful book called, Dirtbag22 Billionaire, it's a wonderful book, very inspirational.23 It's all about Yvon Chouinard who started Patagonia and24 gave it all away. He and his family donated the entire25