2026 04 10 Review 4

MEMORANDUM To: Chairman and Members of the West Orange Planning Board From: Ryan MacNeill, PE Planning Board Engineer Date: April 10, 2026 Re: Application No. PB 25-11 525 Northfield Ave., LLC Preliminary and Final Site Plan and Conditional Use with ‘C’ Variances and Tree Removal Permit – Review #4 525 Northfield Avenue Block 159.04, Lots 1.01 Our File: 115.WRP0159.V02 (60001) CC: Geniece Gary-Adams – Director of Planning & Development/Zoning Official Zayibeth Carballo, PE, PLS, PP, CME, CFM, CFS – Municipal Engineer Malvika Apte, PP, AICP – Planning Board Planner Diana McGovern, Esq. – Planning Board Attorney 525 Northfield Ave., LLC – Applicant Marsha M. Moore, Esq. – Applicant’s Attorney Anthony Facchino, PE, PLS – Applicant’s Engineer Matthew B. Jarmel, RA – Applicant’s Architect Craig W. Peregoy, PE – Applicant’s Traffic Engineer Michael Pronesti, PLS – Applicant’s Surveyor ____________________________________________________________________________ Our office has received for review the following documents which were submitted in support of the above referenced application for Preliminary and Final Site Plan and Conditional Use approval with “C” Variances and Tree Removal Permit approval: • A set of Preliminary/Final Site Plan drawings (16 sheets) prepared by Anthony Facchino, PE, PLS, PP with Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers Inc. of Livingston, New Jersey and bearing a latest revision date of March 31, 2026. • A set of Architectural Plan drawings (5 sheets) prepared by Matthew B. Jarmel, RA with Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers Inc. and bearing a latest revision date of March 30, 2026. • A Stormwater Management Report prepared by Anthony Facchino, PE, PLS, PP with Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers, Inc. and bearing a latest revision date of March 30, 2026. Included in the Stormwater Management Report is a Subsurface Soil Investigation

PAGE | 2 & Foundation Recommendation Report prepared by Atulkumar N. Shah, PE, PP with ANS Consultants, Inc. of South Plainfield, New Jersey dated September 3, 2024. • A copy of a March 31, 2026 letter from Anthony Facchino, PE, PLS, PP with Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers Inc. to the West Orange Planning & Development Department which describes the revisions to the plans. • A copy of a December 29, 2025 email from Brian Feeney, Chair of the West Orange Historic Preservation Commission, advising that the property in question is not located within a historic strict and is not designated as a Local Historic Landmark. • An amended Application Form dated March 31, 2026. In addition to the above, our office previously received the following information as part of the prior submissions for this application: • A print of a Title & Topographic Survey (1 sheet) prepared by Michael T. Lanzafama, PE, PLS, PP with Casey & Keller Incorporated of Millburn, New Jersey and bearing a latest revision date of July 21, 2010. • A Stormwater Maintenance Plan and Field Manual prepared by Anthony Facchino, PE, PLS with Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers, Inc. dated January 28, 2026. • A copy of a February 25, 2026 letter from Anthony Facchino, PE, PLS, PP with Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers Inc. of Livingston, New Jersey to the West Orange Planning & Development Department which describes the subject application and sets forth the environmental impacts related to the proposed development. • A copy of a February 27, 2026 Planning Memo prepared by Thomas Ricci Jr., PP and Marcella Traina, PP with Stonefield Engineering and Design, LLC of Rutherford, New Jersey. • A copy of a completed Tree Removal and Replacement Permit Application dated February 26, 2026. • A list of Proposed Waivers and Additional Proposed Variance. • A copy of a January 27, 2026 letter from Atulkumar N. Shah, PE, PP with ANS Consultants, Inc. to the West Orange Planning & Development Department which addresses the steep slope requirements in §25-28 of the Township Code. • A copy of a January 29, 2026 letter from Anthony Facchino, PE, PLS, PP to the West Orange Planning & Development Department which addresses the comments in our December 22, 2025 review memorandum. • A print of a Boundary and Topographic Survey (1 sheet) prepared by Michael Pronesti, PLS with Pronesti Surveying, Inc. of Cedar

ich addresses the comments in our December 22, 2025 review memorandum. • A print of a Boundary and Topographic Survey (1 sheet) prepared by Michael Pronesti, PLS with Pronesti Surveying, Inc. of Cedar Grove, New Jersey dated May 14, 2025.

PAGE | 3 • A Traffic Impact Study prepared by Craig W. Peregoy, PE, and Connor Hughes, PE with Dynamic Traffic of Chester, New Jersey dated November 10, 2025. • A NJDEP Flood Hazard Area Applicability Determination (File No. 0722-25-0001.1) dated February 21, 2025. • A completed Application Form dated November 3, 2025. • A completed Site Plan/Subdivision Checklist. • A completed Sustainability Checklist Form. • An Attachment to Application which summarizes the project and lists the variances that are being requested by the Applicant. • A Conditional Use Statement which describes the conditional use that is being requested by the Applicant. • A List of Owners within 200 Feet of Block 159.04, Lot 1.01 from the Office of the West Orange Tax Assessor dated October 30, 2025. • A Verification of Taxes & Sewer Charges Paid from the Office of the Tax Collector dated November 10, 2025 which states that the taxes are paid until October 31, 2025 and the 2025 sewer charges are paid in full. • A Disclosure Statement from 525 Northfield Ave., LLC dated November 3, 2025. • A Disclosure Statement from Astro Management Group Inc. dated November 3, 2025. • A Disclosure Statement from Arbol by Gomes LLC dated November 3, 2025. • A completed Consent of Owner dated November 3, 2025. • A completed Checklist for Tree Removal Construction Applications/Projects. • A list of trees proposed to be removed on the subject property. We have reviewed the information submitted in support of this application and offer the following comments: A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The property in question is an irregularly shaped tract which is located on the northeast corner of the intersection of Northfield Avenue (CR 508) and Sheridan Avenue. It is located in the B-2 General Business District and has an area of 110,205 sf or approximately 2.53 acres. The property is currently occupied by an existing commercial building, a train car and a paved parking lot. The existing 2-story building was previously occupied by a restaurant, lounge, and banquet hall (The Essex House). Access is provided to the site from Northfield Avenue (CR 508) to the

PAGE | 4 south and Sheridan Avenue to the west. Further, the existing paved parking lot currently provides 171 parking spaces including 2 handicap accessible parking spaces. The Applicant is seeking Preliminary and Final Site Plan and Conditional Use approval with “C” Variances and Tree Removal Permit approval to demolish the existing commercial building and associated site improvements and to construct a 4-story, 44,541 sf, mixed-use building. The proposed mixed-use building consists of the following: • The first floor will contain the lower-level parking garage, residential lobby, leasing office, building storage and utility rooms, a 1,250 sf commercial space and tenant amenities including an amenity/co-working space and a zen garden. Access to the lower-level parking garage is provided via a driveway from Northfield Avenue (CR 508). • The second floor will contain the upper-level parking garage, residential apartments, and tenant amenities including a lounge and a sports simulator room. Access to the upper- level parking garage is provided via a driveway from Northfield Avenue (CR 508) as well as internal access through the lower-level parking garage. • The third floor will contain residential apartments and a gym. • The fourth floor will contain residential apartments. • The combined parking areas for the development consists of a total of 149 parking spaces, including 12 tandem parking spaces, 2 compact parking spaces, 6 handicap accessible parking spaces and 29 EV parking spaces. Further, 16 parking spaces include an automated vertical stacker which can store an additional 16 vehicles. Therefore, the development can accommodate the storage of 165 vehicles. • The development contains a total of 95 apartment units including 19 affordable housing units. There are 68 one-bedroom units, 22 two-bedroom units and 5 three-bedroom units. B. DESIGN COMMENTS 1. The Applicant has requested the following submission waivers from the Site Plan/Subdivision Checklist: a) Item #31 – Existing and proposed contour intervals based on U.G.S. & G.S. datum. Contours to extend at least 200' beyond subject property. b) Item #45 – Landscape plan & details prepared by a professional landscape architect. c) Item #52 – Plans and legal documents for compliance with West Orange COAH Ordinances. 2. The Applicant should address the Board regarding the anticipated hours of operation

nal landscape architect. c) Item #52 – Plans and legal documents for compliance with West Orange COAH Ordinances. 2. The Applicant should address the Board regarding the anticipated hours of operation for the proposed commercial uses at the site.

PAGE | 5 3. The Applicant should address the Board regarding whether the proposed parking spaces will be assigned to each unit. 4. The Applicant should address the Board regarding how deliveries to the site will be handled. 5. The Applicant should address the Board regarding the anticipated times for the trash and recyclables pickup. 6. The Applicant should provide testimony to the Board regarding how the trash will be conveyed to the refuse truck. 7. The Applicant should address the Board regarding whether any of the EV parking spaces are make-ready. If so, the Applicant should provide testimony to the Board regarding the timeline to convert the spaces from make-ready to EVSE. 8. Sheet C-100 of the site plan drawings notes that no easement exists for the existing culvert that extends through the center of the property. The Applicant should address the Board regarding the ownership of the culvert. 9. The Applicant is proposing the development on steep slopes greater than 10%. We note that the Applicant has submitted a Subsurface Soil Investigation & Foundation Recommendation Report prepared by Atulkumar N. Shah, PE, PP dated September 3, 2024 as well as a January 27, 2026 letter from Atulkumar N. Shah, PE, PP which addresses the steep slope requirements in §25-28 of the Township Code. The Applicant should provide testimony to the Board regarding compliance with the steep slope requirements in the Township Code. 10. Sheet C-300 shows a driveway adjacent to Block 159.05, Lot 1 which is within a residential district. As per §25-12.1i of the Land Use Regulations, each entrance or exit from parking areas shall be at least 50 feet from any residential district. In his January 29, 2026 letter, Anthony Facchino, PE, PLS, PP states that the Applicant is requesting a variance from this requirement. 11. It shows on sheet SD-101 of the architectural plans that a mail room is proposed off the lobby on the ground floor of the building. The Applicant must obtain approval from the West Orange Postmaster for the use of the proposed mailroom. C. TRAFFIC COMMENTS 1. It shows on sheet C-300 that 12 tandem parking spaces are proposed on the ground floor. We note that tandem parking spaces are not permitted in the B-2 District. Therefore, the Applicant should address the Board regarding why tandem parking spaces should be permitted at the site. In his January 29, 2026 letter,

ing spaces are not permitted in the B-2 District. Therefore, the Applicant should address the Board regarding why tandem parking spaces should be permitted at the site. In his January 29, 2026 letter, Anthony Facchino, PE, PLS, PP states that each pair of tandem parking spaces will be assigned to a single unit so that they will operate similar to a single family home with a driveway/garage combination.

PAGE | 6 2. It shows on sheet C-300 that sixteen (16) parking spaces are proposed including automated vertical stackers, which can accommodate the storage of thirty-two (32) total vehicles. We note that vertically stacked parking spaces are not specifically permitted within the B-2 District. Therefore, the Applicant should address the Board regarding why vertically stacked parking spaces should be permitted at the site. Additionally, the Applicant should address the Board regarding how the vertically stacked parking spaces will operate and if they will be assigned to individual units. 3. The Applicant should address the Board regarding their plans to provide assigned parking spaces at the site. If assigned parking is proposed, then details of the proposed signage must be added to the plans. 4. Revise the plans to include signage for the proposed visitor parking spaces. Additionally, the appropriate detail should be added to the plans. D. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT COMMENTS 1. The proposed development will result in the disturbance of more than 0.5 acres. As a result, this project is classified as a Major Development and is subject to the stormwater management requirements set forth in §25-29.4 of the Land Use Regulations. 2. As required for major developments, the Applicant must submit an Environmental Site Analysis to the Board as required by §25-29.10c2 of the Land Use Regulations. In his January 29, 2026 letter, Anthony Facchino, PE, PLS, PP states that the Applicant is requesting a waiver from this requirement. 3. As required by §25-29.14 of the Land Use Regulations, the Applicant must file a stormwater permit application with the Township. In his January 29, 2026 letter, Anthony Facchino, PE, PLS, PP requests that the submission of a stormwater permit application be a condition of approval. 4. The Applicant proposes to collect the stormwater runoff from the majority of the roof and parking areas and discharge it into the Turtle Brook culvert which traverses the site. A small portion of the roof runoff at the southwest corner of the building will be collected and discharged into the County drainage system in Sheridan Avenue at the intersection with Northfield Avenue. It states in the Stormwater Management Report that the project will result in a reduction of the impervious cover at the site by 5,807 sf. 5. As required by §25-29.3a2 of the Land Use

rthfield Avenue. It states in the Stormwater Management Report that the project will result in a reduction of the impervious cover at the site by 5,807 sf. 5. As required by §25-29.3a2 of the Land Use Regulations, the stormwater management system must be designed to meet the minimum standards for groundwater recharge, stormwater quality and stormwater runoff quantity by incorporating green infrastructure. We note that since this site was previously developed, the Applicant is exempt from the groundwater recharge requirements. In addition, since there will not be a net increase of motor vehicle surfaces, the Applicant is not required to address stormwater runoff quality requirements.