9 7 2022 WO Planning Board Draft Minutes

3 Guarino: Y Wilkes: Y Jensen (Alt. 1): --- Yes ; Absent Klein: Y McCartney: Y SWEARING IN • The Township Professional Ms. Spach Trahan (Proxy), Township Planner was sworn in. COURTESY REVIEW APPLICATIONS DISCUSSION PRESENTATION Dr. Bagoff explained that the purpose of a courtesy review is to provide information to the board and the applicant is a governmental authority. The Planning Board will ensure that the applicant fulfills all the requirements of the zone plan. The board does not grant or deny the application, the members of the board only hear, offer modifications and/or ask questions. APPLICATIONS/ORDINANCE REVIEW 1. PB-22-09 Essex County/TBZ 560 Northfield Avenue Block: 163 Lot: 1 Zone: R-1 To remove the existing aquarium and old alligator structure. To construct a new Komodo Dragon Exhibit building and to the American Alligator exhibit building. All construction will be located in the center of the zoo. PRESENTATION Mark Fleder, Esq. entered his appearance on the record and presented the first witnesses that is going to be testifying for this application. Mr. Michael Piga, who is a landscape architect in the State of New Jersey that has been licensed for about 20 years, was sworn in and his credential were accepted by the board. Mr. Piga started explaining the project at the Turtle Back Zoo, which is going to be called “The Isle of Giants.” It will have two different reptiles in each location, one will be the American alligator and the other will be the Komodo Dragon. Mr. Fleder asked Mr. Piga what is at the zoo currently that is intended to be replaced. Mr. Piga answered that there is a small American alligator exhibit and across from it there is an old aquarium that is not in use. He also included that these existing facilities will be demolished. Mr. Fleder showed exhibits showing the proposed new exhibits. Mr. Fleder asked an approximate square footage of the proposed new exhibits with the current exhibits. Mr. Piga said that the current exhibits are about 12,000 square feet and the two new buildings will be approximately 19,050 square feet. Mr. Fleder also asked if trees are going to be removed. Mr. Piga responded by saying that there are approximately six trees that are 8 inches in diameter that will be removed and in which they will be