05 Response to Technical Review Comments 12 17 2025

www.BohlerEngineering.com Ms. Jamilet Baquerizo Vite Township of West Orange BENJ File No. NJA230139 December 16, 2025 Page 4 of 14 5. Zoning Review The subject site is located in the B-2 General Business District. The applicant is proposing to retrofit vacant tenant spaces within the existing one-story commercial shopping mall (Main Retail Building) into a Trader Joe’s retail store. The proposed use, a “retail store,” is a principal permitted use in the B-2 district. Acknowledged. 6. Site Plan Review: a. A statement of operations including # of employees, hours of operations, shift timings, number of deliveries and other such operational details should be provided. The total number of employees is ±80 (10 full-time; 70 part-time). Hours of operations are Daily, from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Shifts range from 4 to 9 hours, starting at 5 a.m. and leaving at 11 p.m. 2-3 deliveries are expected daily. Please refer to the document entitled "Proposal" included in the initial township submission. 7. Landscaping and Fencing: We note that the applicant submitted an application for a tree removal and replacement permit on August 14, 2025. The application notes that of the five (5) total trees to be removed, three (3) are non-viable, and two (2) are viable. To account for the five (5) total trees to be removed, 10 new replacement trees are proposed, in compliance with §28-8 “Tree Replacement” of the Township’s Ordinance. Further, all other existing trees are to remain, and new landscaped islands are proposed throughout the surface parking lot of the subject property. These islands will contain a collection of trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials. The existing wooded areas of the site will remain unaffected as a result of the current application. Additional improvements include curbing, paving, landscaping, lighting, and the construction of an 8-foot concrete masonry unit screen wall behind the Main Retail Building. A screened 10’ x 10’ trash enclosure is also proposed. The variance condition noted under §25-12.1 is no longer required due to proposed maintenance of existing privacy fencing and preservation of existing vegetation which will serve as parking lot screening, as permitted by the Township Ordinance. Pursuant to §25- 12.1 and §24-4e.8, the Landscape Plan (sheet L-201) has been revised to include a total of 30 proposed trees. As discussed during the SPRAB meeting, it

tted by the Township Ordinance. Pursuant to §25- 12.1 and §24-4e.8, the Landscape Plan (sheet L-201) has been revised to include a total of 30 proposed trees. As discussed during the SPRAB meeting, it is the applicant's understanding that the Planning Board views any nonconformity which is to remain unchanged as an existing nonconforming condition which does not require variance relief, and that it views any nonconformity which is to be improved as a change which does require variance relief. Applicant respectfully requests that the next Planning Review be revised and updated for consistency in that regard. a. The applicant should provide testimony regarding the feasibility of planting additional trees along the eastern section of the parking lot to eliminate the acquired two landscaping/screening variances. The Landscape Plan (sheet L-201) has been revised to include a minimum of 19 parking lot trees. No variance is requested.