PB 25 08 Turtle Back Zoo Hoofstock Barn Draft Resolution

Planner’s Memorangum Malvika Apte, PP, AICP, Township of West Orange Consulting Planner October 31, 2025 2. Mark Fleder, Esq. of the law firm Connell Foley, LLP represented the Applicant. 3. The County of Essex owns the Turtle Back Zoo. 4. Andrew French,P.E., of French & Parrello, testified on behalf of the County. 5. Essex County is proposing to construct a timber barn within the existing African Adventure exhibit area. The barn will be located within a portion of the existing giraffe yard, just south of the main walkway. 6. The animals to be housed in the barn will include a bongo, which is a hoofstock species. 7. The one-story barn will feature a cedar board-and-batten façade, windows, and a shingle roof. 8. The structure will be approximately 52’ x 96’ in size and will contain six stalls, an indoor arena, hallways, a mechanical room, and storage space. 9. Two off-exhibit fenced areas, each measuring 20’ x 40’, will be located on the east and south sides of the bar.. 10. Daily maintenance will be completed from the rear of the barn in order to avoid disrupting the visitor experience.. 11. The timber barn will be accessed via the existing emergency access and maintenance driveway. 12. The exhibit yard will be designed to resemble the African grasslands and will include lawn areas and deciduous trees chosen to resemble African species, such as honey