May 6, 2026 Planning Board Regular Meeting - WEHI Transcript

5 of 18 sheets Page 17 to 20 of 38 06/04/2026 06:19:47 AM 17 shotguns leveled at people and tell them they're not1 crossing because they don't want people to leave, but I2 feel confident that something would be worked out. That3 people would be able to leave in an emergency. But the4 street hierarchy section of RSIS, the way I read it,5 isn't concerned in that particular section with6 emergency access, it's concerned about every day ingress7 and egress and with only one road in and out, which is8 what we accepted at -- what we really have here, because9 all roads lead to Oval via Warner. There's not10 sufficient RSIS every day ingress-egress for the average11 daily traffic. That's really where my concern is, that12 the RSIS isn't being met there.13 VICE CHAIRMAN GUARINO: Thank you, Mr.14 Alper.15 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Ms. Kapferer.16 MS. KAPFERER: Yeah, can I add that, I think17 that, you know, I've shared some of the environmental18 concerns that have been discussed over the last 1819 months. You know, and tonight. In particular concerns20 about, you know, flooding and the sanitary sewer21 capacity. You know, we do have an obligation to meet22 our affordable housing obligation. We do -- we are23 going to need to welcome others to our community. Our24 community is definitely going to look different than it25 18 does now and that's a really hard thing for some or all1 of us to understand or to grasp. We are going to have2 to look at the infrastructure improvements that will3 need to happen so that we can accommodate the extra4 units. But, yeah, like I said, I am concerned about the5 lingering -- there's some lingering questions, I think,6 regarding those environmental concerns and additionally7 the ingress and egress. That's really my hang-up with8 all of it. I just -- I have a really hard time getting9 over or just thinking about, to Lee's point, you know,10 even when there's like a, you know, infrastructure11 improvement or a downed power line, you know, when that12 scenario was discussed during the hearing what I heard13 from the applicants expert was that residents would just14 have to simply wait until it's cleared and I read -- and15 that's, that's what I read in the notes, or in the16 transcript and that's what I understood. And it's, I17 don't know, I just think about how that would impact18 daily life. It feels not acceptable to me.19 And I think -- I do

in the notes, or in the16 transcript and that's what I understood. And it's, I17 don't know, I just think about how that would impact18 daily life. It feels not acceptable to me.19 And I think -- I do have larger concerns too20 about the circulation element of our Master Plan, that21 maybe we've talked about at some points but about, you22 know, complete streets. You know, there is, there's23 definitely efforts in the plan itself to accommodate24 pedestrians and cyclists, but it's kind of confined to25 19 the Highlands itself, and, you know, how are people1 supposed to, you know, if you wanted to walk to an2 actual destination, like Pleasantdale, a business, how3 would you do it. It's tough running or walking on Oval4 Road. I do it frequently, there's not as much traffic5 now. I don't, frankly don't think it's safe. So I'm6 thinking about public health and safety. I do have7 significant, real lingering concerns that have not yet8 been addressed.9 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.10 You're up.11 VICE CHAIRMAN GUARINO: I just want to add,12 I want to thank my colleagues, Ms. Kapferer, Mr. Klein.13 Yes, walkability, and that's what we've done14 in complete streets. We've looked at that. We made15 West Orange a more walkable community and as this16 development is constructed and goes forward we can add,17 we can approve upon what we've done in other18 developments throughout the township. We've done that19 as we've shown at the new Target shopping center. We've20 shown that how we've done it on Prospect, we've shown21 it, how it can be done. And I agree with you Lori, I do22 agree with you, there are concerns, we do have concerns,23 but the thing is, we put it into the application and we24 have a developer who has to meet those obligations and25 20 if they can't, and particularly with environmental1 issues, particularly with sewage, if they can't make2 that mandate and meet the specifications then the3 project doesn't go forward. But now we'll never know4 unless we try to let it go forward and work with them as5 we've done with other developers. And like I said, you6 and I are on the Pedestrian Safety Board. You've been a7 tremendous asset to that board, as Mr. Klein has, and8 Ken has put in his input as a school board member.9 That's where I'm coming from. So whatever I said, I10 don't disagree with you. It shows the heart and sole11 that we all put into this. Every

, and8 Ken has put in his input as a school board member.9 That's where I'm coming from. So whatever I said, I10 don't disagree with you. It shows the heart and sole11 that we all put into this. Every member of this Board.12 We care about this township, as I care about this13 township, but when it comes to doing this, to many other14 things have been thrown to this application that have15 nothing to do with it. It needs to be addressed and be16 given it's rightful way before the Planning Board and17 before the township. So, like I said, I totally respect18 everybody's put the time and effort. The residents I19 respect, I know most of you, okay, and I respect20 everything you've said. And I respect both the21 applicant and the plaintiff tremendously. Your effort.22 So now I'd to put in, I would like to make a23 motion that we approve the application with the24 stipulation -- what?25