9 19 24 West Orange BOA ZB 24 06 PSEG Condensed

cbd6abed-8cda-4dba-9ebd-560688bcfcb2 24 (Pages 93 to 96) Page 93 1 station. 2 The facility will remain a public utility 3 that serves the public and advances the general 4 welfare. We satisfy the positive criteria because the 5 upgrades are for an inherently beneficial use and the 6 benefits are for greater electric reliability. The 7 property's particularly suited for public utilities due 8 to its history and longevity of use. 9 The 26kV switchgear and ancillary equipment 10 will cause visual impact, we acknowledge that. 11 Therefore we have done our best to try to retain as 12 many trees on the property. However, there will be an 13 impact. I believe that this impact is outweighed by 14 the provision of safe and reliable electricity. We are 15 proposing improvements that are similar to what we 16 already have at the station. 17 The lightning mast. There are already 18 lightning masts at the station. So I believe that the 19 improvements will be seen as an intensification of the 20 use. The station aesthetics will be improved by a 21 modern fence. This is a modern equivalent to the fence 22 that exists. And we will -- and the most important 23 thing is that it complies with modern security 24 standards. 25 John Futey, our landscape architect, has Page 95 1 from equipment. There are no wetlands, floodplains or 2 water courses on the property, therefore, there will be 3 no impact to that. And for stormwater we are creating 4 bioretention basins and we will capture all of our 5 stormwater. 6 Therefore, its my opinion as a Professional 7 Planner that the variances to upgrade the West Orange 8 switching station can be granted because there's no 9 detriment to the public good and no impairment to the 10 intent or purpose of the Township's Zoning Ordinance, 11 development regulations, and Master Plan. Thank you 12 for listening. I'm happy to entertain any questions 13 you have. 14 CHAIRMAN NEUER: Ms. Porter? 15 MR. PORTER: You called me? Yes. 16 CHAIRMAN NEUER: Anything further from this 17 witness? 18 MR. PORTER: No, Mr. Chairman. We would 19 make this witness available to questions from the Board 20 and the public. 21 CHAIRMAN NEUER: Thank you so much. Let's 22 work in reverse order this time. Mr. Sussman, 23 questions for the witness? 24 BOARD MEMBER SUSSMAN: I have no questions 25 at this time, Mr. Chairman. Page 94 1 explained that the tree plantings will be

k in reverse order this time. Mr. Sussman, 23 questions for the witness? 24 BOARD MEMBER SUSSMAN: I have no questions 25 at this time, Mr. Chairman. Page 94 1 explained that the tree plantings will be a mix of 2 deciduous and evergreen trees. They will be more 3 sustainable, coordinated, and attractive than much of 4 the random landscaping that exists. 5 Station security will be enhanced 6 particularly due to the new station fence and the 7 landscaping. The negative criteria is satisfied 8 because the upgrades don't substantially impair the 9 intent or purpose of the Master Plan and the 10 development regulations. Safe, reliable, and 11 sufficient electric energy is needed to support all the 12 objectives of the Municipal Land Use Law and the 13 Township's Planning documents. There are no adverse 14 public safety or health impacts, and there's no 15 substantial public welfare or fiscal impacts. In my 16 opinion the benefits outweigh any deviations of the 17 Zoning Ordinance, and on balance the benefits outweigh 18 any detriment. 19 I'd just like to go through some of the 20 performance standards. I've already explained traffic. 21 The station's unmanned. We will not be increasing 22 traffic. There is no impact to township water, sewer, 23 community facilities or schools. There will be no 24 creation of dust or negative air emissions upon 25 operation. No odor, no industrial waste discharged Page 96 1 CHAIRMAN NEUER: Thank so you much. Mr. 2 Scott? 3 BOARD MEMBER SCOTT: Yes, can you hear me? 4 CHAIRMAN NEUER: Now we can. 5 BOARD MEMBER SCOTT: Great. All right. 6 This is as much for the Chair as for the witness. I 7 don't understand why we don't have an Environmental 8 Impact Statement as opposed to an information piece. 9 And that is a requirement, the impact statement is a 10 requirement. What I've heard from Ms. Noreen is a lot 11 of her opinion, but I prefer studies. And that is a 12 part of what is supposed to be presented and how 13 exactly do you get a variance from presenting the 14 documentation that you are required to present? 15 MR. PORTER: Mr. Chairman, I believe for 16 the record just to clarify that an Environmental Impact 17 Statement memorandum was provided that was in 18 accordance with the requirements of the Ordinance which 19 state that in connection with the application the 20 applicant shall meet with the Planner to discuss the 21

ndum was provided that was in 18 accordance with the requirements of the Ordinance which 19 state that in connection with the application the 20 applicant shall meet with the Planner to discuss the 21 parameters in which the environmental impact shall be 22 addressed. That was specifically done in this 23 instance. The applicant had originally requested a 24 waiver. However, based upon feedback that we received 25 from the Board at the first meeting we had that