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tal sensitivity, and a sign-on letter that's been signed by at least 30 different NGOs in the state of New Jersey, environmental organizations, 5 mayors, and at least 10 environmental commissions that are recommending that this town preserve the last core forest in the county that is unprotected with natural resources. - Seth Weissleder (resident of West Orange) spoke in opposition, one of his concerns is the rezonings of 103 Pleasant Valley Way and the 350 Pleasant Valley Way. They're an eighth of a mile apart. Combined with the 496 units at Essex Highlands that is being proposed just another half, one and a half miles away, the concentrate that they're adding is another 1,000 apartments into one small corridor without a realistic plan for impacts. He added this is one of the least walkable, least transit-served, most congested parts of town. - Justin Goldsman (14 Morin Road) spoke in opposition and said part of our affordability conversation, we should be having deeper conversations with the county. We have county property that we are not allowed to touch, nor should we touch, but that should be considered into the factor of available land that we have. In April, the town passed a stormwater ordinance, but there isn’t a stormwater utility or sewage map. Mr. Goldsman added that there’s a climate and energy master plan that this town should be operating under that has to do with our ability to have environmentally friendly policies, utility costs, and water and stormwater runoff concerns. He says you cannot do any of that to the inherent spirit of a plan without having a map of where our sewage and water runoff - Joseph Nalieth (33 Ridgeview Ave) spoke in opposition and hopes that whatever plan

7 is adopted ends up not developing over any existing tree coverage in West Orange, and that we instead look into smarter development and redevelopment of existing properties. - Dave Frescue Verona spoke in opposition and stated the Planning Board has to look for consistency with the master plan for any proposed development. And then, in doing so, looking to weigh the benefits versus the detriments to the town. He wants the Board to please consider what the overall benefit is to the town and to the citizens. - Joe Krakoviak (Grandview Avenue), a member of the Town Council, spoke in favor stating this plan is an improvement, to the extent that it can be an improvement. His first recommendation to the public is to spend as much time as you can allow to learn about the law. Another suggestion is to come to the West Orange application hearings whenever they are here, because that's when you're going to make your voice heard. Last, you need to know what your legislator representative votes for. - Joyce Rudin, a member of the Council, spoke in opposition and does not agree with what her Council colleague said. Ms. Rudin doesn’t want to see this plan being rushed and without considering the needs of the residents and quality of life. She states that two properties, 103 and 1155 Pleasant Valley Way, don't adhere to the 20% affordable mandate of our own town's ordinance. She added that the residents need a nice downtown to support thriving commerce and to showcase our rich history and our diversity. This plan does none of those things. - Michelle Casalino (Valley Way), a member of the Town Council, spoke in opposition due to the difficulties her family members had in finding affordable homes. She states that single-family homes need to be incorporated in this plan. - Seth Weissleder said we need a more balanced and creative approach to meet our housing needs in the town of West Orange. BOARD COMMENTS - Mayor McCartney said from what she heard from public comment, we need to preserve as much as we can, and in many cases, we have always attempted to do that with every application. All of the properties that are in this plan are privately owned. They are all projects that have already come before the planning office to be reviewed. We still do have 22 acres that the township owns on Main Street, behind the Thomas Edison National Historic Park. The board is still looking

ave already come before the planning office to be reviewed. We still do have 22 acres that the township owns on Main Street, behind the Thomas Edison National Historic Park. The board is still looking to put 10 film production studios on 10 of those acres, and the other 10 acres, the Council has already looked at a residential plan, so there is potential for even more development on Main Street with the existing infrastructure that's there and close to transportation, repurposing what's already there. Mayor McCartney added that while we do want to preserve as much as we can, when the sites are not for sale, they're already in the plan as potential development. - L. Kapferer said she appreciates everyone who made the time to come out here and share their thoughts. She thinks it's a very complex issue and appreciates what Mr. Krakoviak said about encouraging us to look at the law and understand it. She echoed what many others have said about encouraging development in the area of Main Street. - Vice Chairman Guarino said that when you talk to the general public, a lot of the people don't understand what affordable housing is. The first thing that comes to their mind is, it's poor people, Section 8 housing, but it's not. To get affordable housing is based on a calculation. It's to make affordable housing and welcome people into our wonderful community. - J. Cardoza thanks the public for coming out, advocating, and making their voices

8 heard. He concurred with Ms. Kapferer’s statement that these are complicated issues. He added that hearing the public perspectives directly adds a great deal of context to the Board’s deliberations, and the weight of the Board's decisions is not lost on its members. - Councilperson Scarpa thanked everyone for coming out and shares many of their concerns. She states this plan is a missed opportunity to develop our downtown, and it overburdens Pleasant Valley Way infrastructure, traffic, and our schools. She adds it lacks strategic vision and an opportunity for positive impact for all of our township residents. She says we need a plan that would strengthen our tax base and facilitate business development throughout our town, particularly on Main Street. Councilperson Scarpa asked if you want our town to become a city of apartment dwellings, or do we want to preserve the beautiful suburban township we live in? - F. Noborine thanked the other board members for their thoughtful and differing viewpoints and engagement and commitment to this process. He also thanked the public for their passion, their engagement, and their time spent also reviewing all these documents. He states the public’s viewpoints carry a lot of weight, and it's important to hear them. - Chairman Bagoff thanked every member of the public who attended, and everybody on Zoom who was watching. He said their comments did not go unnoticed, because they're here for the second meeting. Motion: Mr. Guarino Second: Mr. Cardoza Alper: N Mayor McCartney: Y Bagoff: Y Morgan: -- Cardoza (Alt.2): --- Noborine: Y Guarino: Y Scarpa: N Kapferer: --- Wilkes: N Klein: Y • PB-24-01 West Essex Highlands, Inc Block: 179 Lot: 32 Zone: IH-1 Warner Road The applicant is proposing to develop a 496-unit inclusionary multifamily residential development on a vacant 120-acre property in the northwest corner of the Township. *The transcript below of the hearing dated November 10, 2025, is the full record of the hearing and is attached hereto as the minutes of the meeting. * PB-24-01 West Essex Highlands - Transcript from 11-10-25 Compressed *The Application has been carried to the next Planning Board regular meeting on December 3, 2025, without further notice*

9 O31---Email-from-Essex-Fells-Mayor-Dated-10-29-25 O32---Resolution-adopted-by-the-WOPB-on-November-9-1984 O33---Agreement-among-WO-Essex-Fells-West-Essex-Developers-and-the-Essex- Fells-Country-Club O34---Essex-Fells-Ordinance-adopted-August-18-1987 O35---March-9-2006-Letter-from-Essex-Fells-Borough-Administrator-to-the-WO- Township ADOPTED: ___________________________________ Jamilet Baquerizo Vite Planning Board Secretary