024 Letter from WOEC Copy

Township of West Orange 66 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052 Environmental Commission Phone: 973-325-4101 August 13, 2025 Planning Board Township of West Orange 66 Main Street West Orange, NJ 07052 Subject: PB-24-01, West Essex Highlands, Inc. Proposal to Destroy Forested Acreage and Build 496 Unit Multifamily Property Dear Members of the West Orange Planning Board, On behalf of the West Orange Environmental Commission (WOEC), I write to formally express our strong opposition to the development proposed in the above-captioned matter. After careful review and consideration, the WOEC finds that this proposed development is inconsistent with our community’s environmental goals and would adversely impact ecological integrity, regional open space, and quality of life for residents. As described further below, we ask that the Planning Board (1) reject the above-captioned application and (2) require a full environmental impact statement for any future proposed development of the site. We wish to emphasize that our stance is in full alignment with the resolutions recently adopted by the environmental commissions and governing bodies of neighboring municipalities. Specifically, the WOEC endorses and stands with the towns of Verona, Caldwell, and Essex Fells, and with Essex County Environmental Commission, all of whom have issued Resolutions stating opposition to the proposed project because of the reasonably foreseeable severe environmental impact that would occur should it be realized. These resolutions collectively articulate serious environmental, hydrological, and community- scale concerns regarding the proposed West Essex Highlands development. We believe their conclusions are well-founded in scientific and planning principles. In support of our position, the WOEC is attaching our own formal resolution, which outlines our rationale in detail. Key points include: 1. Protection of Natural Resources The Highlands area includes sensitive ecosystems, watersheds, critical wildlife habitats, and mature woodlands. The proposed development would fragment these areas, degrade biodiversity, and reduce natural water infiltration, impacting downstream systems.