February 25, 2026 Planning Board Special Meeting - WEHI Transcript

m 12:30 in the afternoon to l:30. On --9 to 1306. So, yeah 1:30. On Kuzak Drive on the 29th he10 went from, I think I'm saying this correctly, 11:0011 o'clock to 11:45 in the morning. And on Warner he went12 on the same day just afterwards at the Center Square13 location and Bayowski Road, he did something similar.14 So these were his observation points he testified to.15 Now, he observed the following subset of16 bird life. I can't really read all the names, unless we17 go in on it. I don't think we need each name, what's18 important is the next slide. Sorry. This is just a19 chart of his observation minutes and the species20 observed. Percent of the total and obviously he saw21 more species as he spent more time observing, which is22 natural. This describes 20 species were observed, 1423 families were observed, meaning families of species and24 one migratory species.25

15 of 68 sheets Page 57 to 60 of 154 03/20/2026 06:14:03 AM 57 Now, here's the forest subset that he1 observed. Remember he said he observed 20 species and2 of those 20 there were 7 forest species. And can you3 just hone in a little bit on that, just to get a sense4 of it. The actual squares, I'm sorry. Oh, I did that.5 There's 7 species that are forest species. Now, that's6 very important for his testimony, because he testifies7 later -- did I do that or did you. Thank you. Okay.8 So 7 forest species observed, and that's important,9 because you're in a suburban area, so the question might10 arise, well, he's observing 20 bird species, big deal,11 they're all over the place, right. This is why this12 slide is important. Seven of those were forest species.13 He wasn't only looking at species everyone sees in their14 backyard. He's looking at those who live in this15 community but are forest species. They're only going to16 live in the forest or neighboring forest, you know, a17 half mile down there is one park. So we go further.18 Now, he also said there were two others that19 likely will occur based on the habitat. He didn't20 happen to see them on those occasions.21 Now, he said, based on what he observed in22 the time he had allotted to it, it is very likely that23 more than 100 species of birds inhabit this forest. He24 didn't see all of them because birds are migratory.25 58 Sometimes you have to see them at night, sometimes1 different seasons. He said it is more than likely that2 there's more than 100 species of birds. Now, he's3 probably the leading expert in the state on this4 subject. And, again, you heard nobody testify this is5 wrong.6 Now, what he says here and he testified,7 "Interior species are likely to decline or disappear,8 and edge/open habit species are likely to increase or9 appear newly." He means after construction. Build this10 and your species interchange.11 Now, he said some species are not sensitive12 to forest size, others are. Now, a pocket forest in the13 city might have certain number of species. Some species14 require larger areas. You know, all animals actually15 that forage, for example, or hunt require certain amount16 of space. Deer, for example, usually require half a17 mile square per family. Human farming societies require18 certain number of acres per family unit. All species19 require a certain amount of territory if

e. Deer, for example, usually require half a17 mile square per family. Human farming societies require18 certain number of acres per family unit. All species19 require a certain amount of territory if they're20 foraging or hunting. We don't because we industrialize.21 We make our food but in a state of nature, a certain22 amount of space is needed for species to survive. Some23 are not sensitive, like the Eastern Wood Peewee, some24 are, like the Wood Thrush are, he says.25 59 Now, here's what he says about a Wood Thrush1 as one example. An area of forest as it decreases, it2 decreases the likelihood of occupancy by the Wood Thrush3 in the forest. So when you go down from 5 acres -- from4 58 acres to approximately 5, remember we said there are5 9 acres of core left, but they're divided into two6 pieces. So it's about 4 to 5 acres in each piece. So7 he's saying, when you go down from 58 acres of core to 58 acres of what's left, the Wood Thrush likelihood of9 occupancy in this forest declines by 30 percent or more.10 And he says bluntly, when you do this the likelihood11 these species remain changes. And of course this12 applies to all species, he's a bird -- an ornithologist,13 he's speaking of birds.14 Here he does the same analysis for four15 other -- for three other species in addition to the Wood16 Thrush, the Red-Eyed Vireo, Scarlet Tanger and Ovenbird17 and says in each case has we have similar interferences18 and their likelihood of occupancy in the core forest19 that are left once we decline and decrease the forest.20 And so this is an example of the ecological impact in a21 very direct way on this property.22 Now, you'll see later -- well, bear with me23 one moment. You'll see in Dr. Hasse's graphs that there24 is connectivity corridors and that's a fundamental part25 60 of maintaining ecology. Much of our wildlife requires1 connectivity. I can tell you in Princeton we worked on2 a project to keep a ring of forests around the exterior3 of the town to prevent loss of connectivity. Because as4 you break forests up you interfere with migration of5 animals. You interfere with genetic adversity and you6 interfere with the area you need to live. And so7 connectivity is vital. So you'll see when we get to Dr.8 Hasse's document, that this forest is smack in the9 middle of a connectivity corridor. And so when you10 eliminate this and one or two others, you've

tivity is vital. So you'll see when we get to Dr.8 Hasse's document, that this forest is smack in the9 middle of a connectivity corridor. And so when you10 eliminate this and one or two others, you've broken up11 the connectivity that's necessary for the ecological12 system.13 He also says here that: Invasive and14 common species --" well, "Common and exotic invasive15 will increase in occurrence and abundance as forest16 patch size declines." And so if you could just hone in17 on the graph itself. Thank you. Let's do that one18 first. It's a little more, so we see the bottom. The19 bottom vector. Thank you.20 The European Starling. So you see it's21 probability of occurrence on the left-hand vector. Then22 you see it declining drastically as the forest size23 declines. It's very clear. And the same applies to the24 American Robin. So forest species will decline,25

03/20/2026 06:14:03 AM Page 61 to 64 of 154 16 of 68 sheets 61 absolutely, once you eliminate the core forest and1 reduce it down.2 This is a scattergraph which shows something3 similar. That the nesting success of species change.4 For example, as the forest is larger on the bottom5 vector, you see the scattergraph showing -- sorry. You6 see the scattergraph showing high levels of nesting7 success with the high dots as the forest area is larger.8 But as the forest area is smaller, nesting success9 declines, and the scattergraph shows that very clearly.10 So not only do you have decrease in occupancy but you11 have a decrease, and he's only using the Wood Thrush as12 one example. You have a decrease in the ability of13 these creatures to reproduce. So we get a double14 whammy. We destroy the core forest, the resulting15 patches are not really enough to ensure major occupancy16 by species, and those that do occupy will have little17 success or less success reproducing. We -- this is18 really a kind of roller coaster downward in terms of19 ecology. This is one of those things that causes20 ecology to collapse. We're seeing it in microcosm21 through Dr. Butler's testimony. That's what we offered22 him for. Not only because of birds, this is an example23 of what will happen with all species based on whether24 they need core forest to survive.25 62 Also, there are threats to interior species.1 As the exotic and common invasives enter, they will be2 depositing eggs in nests and knocking out eggs of the3 forest species. This is a common problem. You actually4 see this in a lot of species that domesticate. They5 knock out the wild species. You see it in salmon for6 example that escape from salmon farms. They actually7 affect the population of wild salmon negatively. This8 happens here, where invasives enter, they will colonize9 core birds nests and destroy members of the species.10 So this is his summary, but I think I've11 given that.12 This is Dr. Hasse's presentation. Now, that13 is his placement of the structures only on the existing14 forest. He used that as his cover. And you could see15 clearly the subdivisions around.16 This is on a higher altitude view and you17 see in the center that -- oh, I'm sorry. You see in the18 center that cleared area, that's what gave rise to that19 interior bump on the 58 acres. There obviously had been20 a house or a mansion

you17 see in the center that -- oh, I'm sorry. You see in the18 center that cleared area, that's what gave rise to that19 interior bump on the 58 acres. There obviously had been20 a house or a mansion there at some point.21 Now, that is a very good depiction of the22 forest, it's showing it's surrounded by this enormous23 developed area. And we'll see some of the maps as they24 came through, if you recall the presented maps25 63 historically.1 Okay. This is part of his discussion, I2 didn't include his entire exhibit because it's lengthy.3 He gave a discussion on smart growth, if you recall, and4 he was using various factors that are fundamental to the5 notion of smart growth, which I think we all ascribe to.6 And what he has is a map showing the developed sites,7 basically the house placement and if we could just move8 it up a little, I think there's a code. Well, stop9 there for a moment. Thank you. So right there in the10 center -- I did it again. Sorry. Right there in the11 center, right there in the center is our site. You can12 see it's surrounded almost entirely by suburban housing13 subdivisions. Now, there's a park here. There's some14 undeveloped area there and there's a little bit of it15 here and there's some there. This is right in the16 center of this area17 Now, what we have is staggering bits of18 woods left. Many of them severely degraded. Look here.19 This is all edge, for example. You know, all that's20 edge, for example. A lot of this is edge here. This is21 a piece that's left, it's almost primeval, which is22 remarkable. And you heard Chief Mann speak during the23 public comment about, you know, the real emotional need24 that he and the Lenape nation feel for preserving, when25 64 we can, these old growth forests.1 Now, if we can pull out, I think there's a2 code there.3 Now here's the connectivity. And he has a4 depiction of hubs and connectors. And so we're seeing5 some of those same green areas that we saw on the other6 drawing, or the other chart. Our property at issue is7 right in the middle here. You see it's really smack in8 the center of a connecting branch. Here's an area of9 some undeveloped area. Here's one. This is smack in10 the center. These corridors tend to allow some11 communication of species. Remember I mentioned in12 Princeton we're trying to preserve that ring of forest13 for that very reason. When you take a

in10 the center. These corridors tend to allow some11 communication of species. Remember I mentioned in12 Princeton we're trying to preserve that ring of forest13 for that very reason. When you take a forested area of14 several hundred acres and you put a housing development15 in the middle, what you do is you lose the connectivity.16 Species can no longer migrate, they can no longer17 multiply and they gradually diminish. So this is an18 example of a connectivity forest. There really aren't19 that many left. So this is a major piece of the20 connectivity corridor forest, and he spoke to that21 issue.22 Now, again, this is another depiction of the23 forest core with which you're familiar. And this is a24 very stark demonstration of what we have and it's a25

17 of 68 sheets Page 65 to 68 of 154 03/20/2026 06:14:03 AM 65 pulled out version, an aerial photograph, and it shows1 what we're surrounded by. You have bit of that other2 forest -- sorry. You have a bit of that other forested3 area here, but this is remarkable. It's a remarkable4 survivor. And so the question of what development takes5 place must take place in the context of the ecological6 destruction. If you don't have that as a fundamental7 part of your analysis, then the boards not doing it's8 duty under the law. It must be considered.9 Protecting water quality. This is a very10 important drawing and engineering chart. The center is11 our property. What do we see in the left-hand side or12 western side of that square? Well, actually in the13 center too. We see the headwaters of the Canoe Brook.14 Mr. Fagan, can you hone in on that. Thank you.15 We see inside the site, the two branches that16 form the Canoe Brook. This property is the headwater of17 the Canoe Brook. This is not just a little stream, it's18 part of the drinking water supply of several19 communities, and you heard people testify the concern20 they had about this. So when we degrade the forest21 we're doing other things. Remember, water is not22 supplied only by stormwater runoff. It's also supplied23 by water that percolates through the soil. There was24 testimony about this. And when we damage the soil, when25 66 damage the plant life by creating edge forest and1 eliminating core, we damage the natural return of water.2 We dry out wetter areas. You heard testimony from Dr.3 DeVito or Mr. Farr as to the impact of losing water to4 these areas. They dry out. And when waters dry out --5 what was the testimony. I don't know if anyone recalls,6 it's quite awhile. The ironic factor is that when land7 dries because it loses the water that supplies the8 wetlands, flooding arises and increases. And Dr. DeVito9 or Mr. Farr, I frankly forget which one, were very clear10 on this point. That as we dry naturally wet areas out,11 and there's a lot of wet area here that we will dry, the12 land loses it's absorptive capacity. And the water13 instead of dropping down and percolating out, runs14 across rapidly and it destroys natural features, and it15 also brings with it sentiment and other pollutants into16 the Canoe Brook and other tributaries on other sites17 where this happens. So this is the

s rapidly and it destroys natural features, and it15 also brings with it sentiment and other pollutants into16 the Canoe Brook and other tributaries on other sites17 where this happens. So this is the headwaters of the18 Canoe Brook. I mean, water is really our most precious19 resource. So we're going to build a project that we20 know will degrade and virtually destroy the entirety of21 the ecology of the site and this site is headwaters of22 this brook. That's why this demonstration from Dr.23 Hasse was very important.24 So if you could pull back on that a minute.25 67 And so bear in mind, this is really the core1 feeding area for that -- for the Canoe Brook. And when2 you pull back you see that. So this project is not only3 going to destroy fauna on the site, we use the4 ornithology as an example. It's not only going to5 destroy the waters that supply the wetlands, it's not6 only going to destroy the trees, it's actually going to7 damage the drinking water supply of the community.8 This is another aspect of the productivity9 and smart growth factors in development we spoke to.10 Protecting the productive soil classes.11 Now, you can see here the project site is in12 the magenta area. That's the second highest level of13 productivity. This whole area is in that second highest14 level. Dr. DeVito testified to something very15 significant. Remember he talked about the forest soils,16 and he testified it takes thousands of years for those17 soils to develop and once they degrade they do not come18 back. It sounds like it's a renewable resource,19 something that can regrow, soil. He testified it20 literally takes thousands of years for soils to21 regenerate. So once they lose their supplying fauna,22 once they loose their water supply and dry out, once23 flooding becomes more prominent, the soils erode. They24 disappear. And so the soils that are fundamental to the25 68 health of the forest, which also hold water and let it1 percolate into the water supply, dry out and die. They2 don't come back. They don't come back in any time frame3 any of us can envision. The soils that are there now4 existed 5000 -- were created thousands of years ago,5 probably 5000 years ago. It'll take that long to6 regenerate the soils. So this is another example of the7 destructive nature of this project.8 He spoke about the smart growth aspects of9 creating community green spaces.

ago. It'll take that long to6 regenerate the soils. So this is another example of the7 destructive nature of this project.8 He spoke about the smart growth aspects of9 creating community green spaces. Now, remember we saw10 this forest in the center of that vast subdivision. So11 we have this horrible development, which we all need to12 live, but we have the remarkable presence of a natural13 area in the center of it. And that's what he's talking14 about. He's saying smart growth says, rehabilitate15 structures. Don't just open up new lands to massive16 construction, when we can be looking at rehabilitative17 -- rehabilitating structures. Yes, we want some18 affordable housing, does it have to be in a pristine,19 virtually pristine virgin forest. Is that smart growth?20 It's not. You know, what are we going to say 20 years21 from now, 40 years from now when we wake up and the22 forest didn't regenerate, as Mr. DeFeo rather blithely23 said it would, by putting up fences. What are we going24 to say to the next generation when we tell them, you25